3 out of 5

Label: Graveface

Producer: John Congleton

So we waited X amount of years for a Vol. 2 to the previous Paper Chase album (‘Someday This Could All Be Yours’) and then something happened and PC was no more… until a resurrection of types in the form of ‘Nighty Nite’s 4-song EP, with web site promises of more soon to come.  Which never came.  (Or hasn’t, yet, X more years down the road.)  So it might seem like it’s bitterness to criticize a disc for not being enough, but it’s what characterizes ‘Dimples’ – this definitely sounds like The Paper Chase in their ‘Someday’ format, which makes for some good moments but required a full album to work on a greater level – and thus at 4-songs, the experience can only feel stunted.

Yes, ‘Someday’ was definitely my least favorite PC album, crossing the road to being a bit too over-produced and lacking the surprising bite that elevated the group’s previous work, though there were still worthwhile lyrical themes and, again, some good moments that sounded true to the band and Congleton.  Opening track ‘Dimes in Their Dimples’ could’ve been on ‘Someday’ and not lost a step.  As with that disc, the linking samples and sound effects are lacking, and that low end isn’t as organic anymore, but the softened guitar playing its staccato chord progression and thundering drumbeat can still sell the song, and I was glad that ‘Dimes’ didn’t have to stick to the ‘natural calamities’ shtick around which ‘Someday’ was structured.  So Paper Chase, Nighty Nite, whatever, it was good to have more Congleton material.  ‘This Silly Bag’ is a somewhat minor song, but it introduces an electronic element that points to where this incarnation might’ve grown into something notably separate from PC.  This is then fleshed out more fully on the disc’s best track, ‘In My Hospital Gown,’ which goes ahead and pursues a pretty plain beat (going against the heavy, heavy bass drumming which has been a norm for Paper Chase) while letting these more processed tones take over, resulting in something that has a bit more feeling than the first tracks, and just sounds fresher…  Though perhaps that’s just perception.  Closing things out with a Stephen Merritt penned track (a cover?) seals the deal on the ‘this just prologue’ feeling; ‘Meaningless’ is given an effortful go-through by the band, but it’s very obviously not their material and comes across as the kind of padding where the band had been kicking the song around at sessions at decided to include it ’cause why not.

So where’s the rest, John?  You’re a busy dude, and I guess we should be thankful that we got ‘Dimples,’ though it sounds sorta’ like Paper Chase outtakes, but with a single standout flash like ‘Hospital Gown,’ we can’t help but think that there’s gotta’ be more than this.