The Paper Chase

This Dallas group’s flailing, stop-start jazz-punk occasionally sounds as if it might disintegrate completely, but it always manages to pull back from the edge with precisely calibrated musicianship. The Paper Chase’s 2006 record for Kill Rock Stars, Now You Are One Of Us, demonstrates both sides of the band’s personality, melding horror-movie keyboards and samples (à la Pere Ubu’s Dub Housing) with a wry sense of humor evinced by titles like “The Kids Will Grow Up To Be Assholes” and “What’s So Amazing About Grace.”

Updated 04/29/2009