The story is based around the world of a fictional character named Grace, who on the eve of her 50th birthday begins to question her happiness and the choices she's made in her life. When she receives news that her estranged father, a failed inventor, has died, she returns to her childhood home to help settle his affairs. While cleaning out his study, she uncovers early designs for a paper raincoat, the invention on which he staked their family fortune, and that subsequently tore the family apart when it failed to sell. She is flooded with intense memories of a pivotal day in that very room, when she made the conscious decision to give up on her dream of becoming a writer in order to avoid the disastrous effects that happened as a result of her father’s choices. She starts to question whether there might have been a better way for her life to unfold, and decides to find out by rewriting her own story in a novel she titles The Paper Raincoat.
The songs are a cinematic blend of pop-folk orchestral arrangements, peppered with electronic textures, and overflowing with unforgettable melodies. "Our goal was to create songs that were enjoyable on any level…” adds Alex. “…Catchy and meaningful enough for listeners to relate to whether they knew the back-story or not. Once they liked the music, we felt discovering the story hidden inside the songs would only increase their connection to them."
Alex and Amber have been collaborators and friends for several years, starting with a chance meeting at a wintry show in Buffalo NY and Amber's subsequent decision to become the first official stalker of Alex's previous band, The Animators. Nowadays, both Amber and Alex are experienced and thriving musicians in their own right. Amber is creating an international buzz as a solo artist with over 1,000,000 plays on MySpace, three month-long European tours, the most recent with guitarist/songwriter Adam Levy (Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman, Amos Lee), and a First Place Award in the International Songwriting Competition (Lyrics), which was judged in part by her musical hero, Tom Waits. Amber's new record will be released this summer, and she will be touring all over the nation and again in Europe this Fall. Alex has since signed up on the long waiting list to stalk her in return.
Meanwhile, Alex has been cultivating a reputation as a sought-after artist, composer and producer in NY and LA. His former band, the Animators, achieved much national attention and critical acclaim before their 2007 breakup. He now writes, performs and records with several prominent NYC artists, including Vienna Teng (Rounder/Universal), and will co-produce her upcoming record this spring. His original score for the play, Everyman For Himself won a 2006 LA WEEKLY THEATER AWARD for best original music. Alex co-produced Amber's first solo record in fall 2004, as well as her 2006 EP, Unfinished Art, as well as produced and arranged the Paper Raincoat's debut EP.
The group celebrated the release of Safe in the Sound in March with a string of concerts at the Hotel Café in Los Angeles, Canal Room in NYC, and Club Passim in Boston. IndieSoundsNY.com describes their live show as “bringing a sense of wonder and whimsical optimism into life.” Rubarth adds, “The live shows are quirky, too, with all of the different instruments and harmonies. It feels cinematic… but not in a goofy way.” New York is quickly embracing the band and in just a few months they have graduated from selling out 2 NYC residencies at Rockwood Music Hall, to booking their follow-up show at Bowery Ballroom at the end of July. The band is being embraced out of the gates by industry and fans alike, and in addition to having music currently under consideration for TV/film placements, one can expect to see their touring schedule come alive in late summer.
Right Angles
The Paper Raincoat Lyrics
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Fifty-ninth, find the statue and look up to the sky
how the buildings lean as if they're listening
The outlines are glowing when we're looking at the right angle
the story's unfolding when we're looking at the right angle
Stand on the edge where the danger keeps us out of our heads
and the trains don't care so let's be honest here
The signs are repeating when we're looking at the right angle
the patterns are meeting when we're looking at the right angle
the boundaries are blurring when we're looking at the right angle
the secret's unfurling when we're looking at the right angle
The shadows are changing when we're looking at the right angle
the corners are fading when we're looking at the right angle
the colors are bleeding when we're looking at the right angle
I know you'll believe me when you're looking at the right angle
The lyrics of The Paper Raincoat's "Right Angles" evoke a sense of disorientation and dizziness, both physically and emotionally. The song is an ode to the beauty and complexity of urban environments, where buildings, trains, and people move in chaotic patterns, but sometimes a moment of clarity can be found when we shift our perspective and look at things from a different angle.
The first verse describes a moment of escape from the frenetic pace of the city: the singer tells us to "stop, turn around" and move in the opposite direction of the Broadway rush hour crowd. They suggest we head to Fifty-ninth Street, where the statue of Columbus stands, and look up to the sky to notice how the buildings seem to lean toward us, almost like they're listening. Here, the singer invites us to "look at the right angle," implying that if we change our position, we might gain a new understanding of our surroundings.
In the second verse, the singer takes us underground, on a subway platform, where the noise is overwhelming, and the danger is palpable. They remind us that the trains don't care about us, and suggest we be honest about our own insignificance. Again, the singer invites us to shift our perspective: "look at the right angle," and we'll notice how the signs repeat themselves, how patterns meet each other, and how boundaries blur. The final lines of the song are almost a plea to the listener to believe the singer's revelations, to trust that the right angle might reveal a hidden truth.
Overall, "Right Angles" is a reminder that sometimes changing our point of view can help us see things in a different light, and that urban spaces are full of hidden stories and secrets, waiting for someone to uncover them.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop, turn around, move against the Broadway rush hour crowd
Instead of going with the flow and following the crowd, let's stop and take a different path.
Fifty-ninth, find the statue and look up to the sky
Once we've taken a different path, let's stop and appreciate the beauty of our surroundings.
How the buildings lean as if they're listening
The architecture of the buildings seem to convey a message if we just take a moment to observe.
The outlines are glowing when we're looking at the right angle
When we view things from a different perspective, details are revealed that were not noticeable before.
The story's unfolding when we're looking at the right angle
By viewing things from a different angle, a narrative or meaning begins to emerge that was previously hidden.
Stand on the edge where the danger keeps us out of our heads
By taking a risk and stepping out of our comfort zone, we free ourselves from overthinking and self-doubt.
Underground, on the platform, swallowed up by the sound
In the midst of chaos and noise, there is still beauty and meaning to be found if we just listen and observe.
And the trains don't care so let's be honest here
The world keeps moving forward regardless of our individual worries and concerns. Let's face this reality with honesty.
The signs are repeating when we're looking at the right angle
Patterns and repetition become noticeable when viewed from a different perspective.
The patterns are meeting when we're looking at the right angle
By viewing things from a fresh perspective, disparate elements begin to converge and connect.
The boundaries are blurring when we're looking at the right angle
When we shift our perspective, previously established boundaries and limitations begin to loosen and dissolve.
The secret's unfurling when we're looking at the right angle
When we view things from a new angle, hidden or secretive information begins to reveal itself.
The shadows are changing when we're looking at the right angle
The mood and tone of a situation or environment can change when viewed from a different angle.
The corners are fading when we're looking at the right angle
When viewed from a fresh perspective, angles and corners lose their sharpness and can become more fluid.
The colors are bleeding when we're looking at the right angle
When viewed from a different perspective, colors can blend and merge, creating new and unexpected hues.
I know you'll believe me when you're looking at the right angle
I have faith that if we shift our perspective, we will both see and understand what was previously hidden or difficult to believe.
Contributed by Ruby V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.