Richard Papiercuts – A Sudden Shift LP (Pena)
Interesting, strange rock project from someone in New York who seems to want to remain anonymous, though from the looks of the credits on this LP, has aligned himself with noise artist Mattin, and members of the bands Talibam!, Ultrabunny, Pop. 1280, and Chinese Restaurants (he’s their drummer, it seems) – mixed company for sure, though they are effective in helping him get these messages across. Sounds of inner city emotional turmoil are put forth by a guy whose voice sounds like a towel full of human tears being wrung out, sort of a Scott Walker style croon at first that soon devolves into a nerve-wracked, affected night on the town of carousing, which in turn devolves into serious drinking and what some people would call “sin.” Would say that it has a downtown quality to it, only who lives down there anymore? I picture a dress shirt with a banded collar on whoever Rick may be, and his screeds and tales of people doing wrong and alienation are met with some decent musical ideas, mostly ranging from an art-rock perspective (think Pere Ubu, maybe), of an era gone by. There’s an alignment of sorts with the works of Michael Gira, and these songs turn out to be an exorcism of sorts, even as the sentiments in them turn sour (not sure why he had to yell “faggot” at one point, but I’m sure there’s a lot of explanation to endure on that note). I picked out clear references to Joy Division and less-clear ones to Mighty Baby, so whoever this is has good taste. Not something to reach for every day, but if the subway breaks down, and the sketchy guy in your neighborhood with the clipboard makes a move for your wallet, you might find yourself on the ledge with Mr. P. over here. (http://penarecords.bigcartel.com)
(Doug Mosurock)
