"Lit From Within“ is the third full-length release from Winnipeg's The Paperbacks. The new double album, Produced by Jaret McNabb (Projektor “Tired Atlantic South” EP, The Paperbacks “An Episode of Sparrows”) is being released January 12, 2010, on the Parliament of Trees label.
On their new release, “Lit From Within”, The Paperbacks continue their exploration of powerful and unlikely lyrical topics. While their previous CD, “An Illusion Against Death,“ questioned the role of art in the life of the artist, “Lit From Within” examines more fully the motivations behind art and activism, their parallels, and the effect of each on the health of the practitioner. Opener Good Lives (For Bad Reasons) looks at a moment of crisis for a veteran social activist (“You’ve had a hard life for noble reasons, and it’s not clear what that’s worth…”), and from there, the 32 song set travels through distractions, addictions, death, abuse and faithlessness to ultimately find its way back to a sense of strength, purpose and recommitment. The sonic adventurousness is not lost beneath the intensity of the subject matter; the band, propelled by McNabb’s masterful production, takes incredible risks and pushes hard in as many directions as the running time allows.
“Lit From Within” marks the debut of the Paperbacks new line-up. Remaining from the original group are songwriter Doug McLean, and bassist Jaret McNabb. They are joined by guitarist Kevin Andrechuk, drummer Corey Biluk and Kevin McLean on keyboards. "Lit From Within" also features an impressive cast of guest musicians including Jahmeel Russell (Projektor, Kittens), Alison DeGroot, and Rosalyn Dennett (both members of Oh My Darling), Mike Koop (The Bonaduces, The Kicker), Andrew Filyk (Anthem Red, The City Champs) and Ian LaRue.
The Paperbacks formed in 2001, and have remained active, touring Canada several times and Europe in 2004, releasing two previous full-lengths ("An Episode of Sparrows", 2003, and “An Illusion Against Death“, 2007, Produced by Weakerthans frontman, John K. Samson) and a split CD with K Records' Wolf Colonel ( Jason Anderson) as part of Endearing records’ “Intercontinental Pop Exchange” (2004) series.
Following the release of “Lit From Within”, 2010 will see The Paperbacks on tour throughout Canada with plans to travel to the U.S.A. as well as Europe. Later in the year an additional E.P. will be issued on-line as a free download as well as a split 7” record with friends Ian LaRue and the Condor.
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