2013 has truly been an incredible year for music. There are so many artists that have really pushed the envelope and set a new bar for the future of music in almost every genre. While we’ve seen some great returns from the likes of Daft Punk and Kanye West, there are also many new, independent bands who really stretched the landscape of sound and production — bands like the up-and-coming PAPA.
TWO-MAN GROUP FROM LOS ANGELES
Please do not confuse them with the group that made the songs “Last Resort” and “Scars.” That would be Papa Roach — don’t expect a comeback from them anytime soon. PAPA is a relatively unknown, two-man group based in Los Angeles. The two members are singer-drummer Darren Weiss — of the disbanded “Girls”— and bassist Danny Presant. Their debut EP, “A Good Woman is Hard to Find,” was released just over two years ago, but the favorable buzz has steadily increased up until now with the release of their debut album, “Tender Madness.”
There’s no easy way to describe the sound of “Tender Madness.” You just have to hear it for yourself — which you should vo do right this second. It’s retro in the sense of other influences, but the raw production gives it a unique, fresh sound. Imagine mixing bits and pieces of Arcade Fire and Joy Division, and then covering it all up with E-Street Band rock piano.
RETRO-ROCK AT ITS BEST
The album sets its tone immediately with an instrumental — a self titled track named “PAPA” — that doesn’t stop building from start to finish. By the time the anthem piano pulses to its full crescendo, it’ll be near impossible to not want to stomp your feet and bob your head. You’ll get about three seconds to relax, and then you’re thrust into the band’s first single, “Put Me To Work.” Even if you never listen to this album, I guarantee you’re going to hear this song. It’s one of the most driving jams I’ve heard in recent years, and the repetitive piano melody will not leave your head for a while. Right off the bat, you can hear Weiss’ heavy drum influence in his songwriting. Everything is centered around the drums and the piano in this song, as well as in “Young Rut” and “If You’re My Girl, Then I’m Your Man.”
Fortunately, PAPA has more to offer than just hard hitting jams, and they show their diversity on the chiller tracks “Forgotten Days,” “Cotton Candy” and “I Am the Lion King.” These tracks aren’t nearly as heavy as the others, but the whimsical guitar lines, shuffle drum beats and Weiss’ distinct, reverbed voice will bring a smile to your face. Once again, the album doesn’t stop there. “If the Moon Rises,” “Get Me Through the Night,” “Tender Madness” and “Got to Move” all have a really amazing acoustic sound. Thankfully, the album’s momentum never comes to a halt on any of these tracks, and none of them feel out of place with the other heavier ones.
The album resolves on a nice note with “Replacements (Curls in the Grass).” This track propels the album from memorable to classic, and it shows even more diversity in Weiss’ musicianship. The acoustic ballad sounds like something you would hear in a church in Arkansas, and the addition of Lydia Rogers’ chain-smoking vocals repeatedly singing, “If you must replace me in your arms / Don’t replace me in your heart,” will likely bring a tear to your eye as the crescendo hits its final note.
Tender Madness is the type of album that will be playing on my iPod repeatedly for a while, and I’m sure I’ll be back to revisit it many more times in the distant future. Not only is this an exceptional debut album, but it gets me so excited for what this already mature band will develop into. In the midst of an age where electronica, dubstep, rap and “fat beatz” rule the world, PAPA is the retro, fun rock that we’ve been missing for quite some time.
