Paris Texas
by Chuck G

Paris Texas - Like You Like An Arsonist
Label: New Line Records
Rating: 
 

Tracks: 1.) Bombs Away 2.) Action Fans Help Us 3.) Like You Like An Arsonist 4.) Rebel Radio 5.) White Eyes 6.) Your Death 7.) Strike My Heart 8.) One Hot Coma 9.) Hip Replacement 10.) Better Off 11.) Gemini

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Paris, Texas...the dusty town of roughly 26,000 northeast of Dallas near the Oklahoma/Texas border...probably isn't known as the City Of Lights. That's reserved for Paris, France.

City of Lights aside, Paris Texas, the band that hails from Madison, WI(not nearly as snappy sounding for a band moniker) has a brightly lit future.

Their debut disc, 'Like You Like An Arsonist' comes off as a cross between The Vines and The Ataris. Part 3-chord poppy-punk, part Texas-sized riff-rock. It makes for a schizophrenic listening experience, but that's the sound of a band trying to find it's sound. Give them some leeway. 

Opening up with the early-Cult inflected "Bombs Away", the verses lead to banging chorus reminiscent of the Strokes. But whereas the Strokes embrace the simplistic, Paris Texas...with the twin-guitar attack of Nolan Treolo and NIck Zinkgraf...create a razor layer pattern of sound. 

Upbeat "Action Fans Help Us" showcase the energy this 5-piece brings to the table. Singer, Scott Sherpe pleadingly asks, "Are you ready!?!" all the while a cheerleading chorus shouts cadence in the background. 

Rooted in good old fashioned AC/DC is Paris Texas' standout track, "Like You Like An Arsonist." Coming off sounding like some frat boy's ill-advised pick-up line, "Like You Like An Arsonist" (..because you are my perfect match) shows the boy's roots. As whiskey-soaked as anything AC/DC assembled down under, this song is the band's rally point. Run this up the flagpole and many will salute. 

Contrast this to "Strike My Heart." Equally as adept as "...Arsonist", but coming from a decidedly punk outlook "Strike..." rip-roars through the chorus of "I got a daylight addiction" with rage and anguish. 

Guitar-string bending gets the award for best supporting role player.

The best song title I've heard in a long time, "One Hot Coma" reminds me of those jumbled magnetic random word puzzles you see on refrigerators. Paris Texas guitar spine alternates between paper thin and jangly to full and thick-bodied like a fine Longhorn co-ed. "...Coma" encapsulates this give-and-take between sounds this band experiences on a song by song basis as well as a complete package.

Vocalist Sherpe's voice cuts through the various displays of musical aggression and forges his own niche in the band's performance.

A nice debut, if not a complete package, from an up-and-coming band.
 

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