John-pauls, The
Bon Mots
The John-Pauls are a Texas band with a New York City Metro-Card. Lou Reed devouring Tamale House migas while posing for pictures with tourists in front of the Jeremiah the Frog mural. More Unrest than Pavement - less SRV than Roky. Indebted to the Stones with Can in their hearts, the J-Ps follow up their critically acclaimed debut full-length "Forget to Remember to Forget" with this years spellbinding "Bon Mots". Like a countrified 90s Sonic Youth, The J-Ps use three guitars, and no bass. The bottom is owned by the insistent kick of drummer Elizabeth John-Paul. Loping stone-skips of keyboards by Mikila John-Paul. The singing is shared by Mikila, a chanteuse like Mo Tucker crossed with Patsy Cline, and the monotone but oddly emotive Phillip John-Paul. Mark and Matt interplay lead guitars like Ron Wood jamming with Lee Renaldo. If pronounced correctly, in French "Bon Mots" means good words. The songs by Phillip John-Paul are filled with turns of phrase. Lyrics bounce specific visual episodes with shards of cobbled wisdom and doomed self-awareness. He and Mikila sing of depression, grace, NBA basketball, the history of humanity, flaking out, love, Cardi B, swimming, philosophy, and more.