Paper Empire
Encyclopedia
Paper Empire is the seventh studio album by the New Orleans
-based rock
trio Better Than Ezra
. It was released on May 12, 2009 by Red Distribution
. It is the first album to feature new drummer Michael Jerome
following the departure of former drummer Travis McNabb
in February 2009 after 13 years with Better Than Ezra. Album art and packaging designed by Lorin Brown at One & Done Studio
co-wrote nine of the twelve songs on Paper Empire. Griffin co-wrote four songs with songwriter, busbee
, who also wrote the Rascal Flatts
single "Summer Nights
". The track, "Hey Love", was co-written by Griffin and country music songwriter, Monty Powell.
"Absolutely Still
", the album's first single, was co-written with Val Emmich
, whose version of the song appears on the Emmich's album "Sunlight Searchparty". However, Emmich departed his label
, Epic Records
, before "Sunlight Searchparty" was released. Griffin decided that "Absolutely Still" had potential and re-recorded it with Better Than Ezra for the album.
"Just One Day" and "Fit" were also co-written with singer-songwriter Jeremy Lister. Lister's versions of the songs appear on his 2007 debut album, Just One Day EP, released by Warner Bros. Records
.
The track "All In" was written by James Bourne
, a former member of the guitar-pop band Busted (who also performs back-up vocals on the track).
Paper Empire,
New Drummer
Track Listing
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
-based rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
trio Better Than Ezra
Better Than Ezra
Better Than Ezra is an American alternative rock trio based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Formation and early success:Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 by its four original members - vocalist and guitarist Kevin Griffin; Joel Rundell, the lead guitarist; bassist Tom Drummond; and drummer, Cary...
. It was released on May 12, 2009 by Red Distribution
RED Distribution
RED - An Artist Development Company is a Sony Music Entertainment-owned sales and marketing division that handles releases for over sixty independent record labels....
. It is the first album to feature new drummer Michael Jerome
Michael Jerome
Michael Jerome Moore, born in Wichita, Kansas, is an American rock musician and drummer. Jerome is a former member of the Toadies , Course of Empire and James Hall's band Pleasure Club, which was formed in 2002. He was also a member of the Saginaw, Texas band Pop Poppins...
following the departure of former drummer Travis McNabb
Travis McNabb
Travis Aaron McNabb is a New Orleans-born and Nashville-based American drummer and percussionist. McNabb is perhaps best known as a longtime member of the band Better Than Ezra, although he has performed session and touring work with many acts during his career...
in February 2009 after 13 years with Better Than Ezra. Album art and packaging designed by Lorin Brown at One & Done Studio
Songs
Better Than Ezra vocalist Kevin GriffinKevin Griffin
Kevin Griffin is an American guitarist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter.Griffin formed the alternative rock band Better Than Ezra in 1988. The band had great success in the 1990s with hits such as "Good", "In the Blood", and "Desperately Wanting", and has continued in the 2000s with hits such...
co-wrote nine of the twelve songs on Paper Empire. Griffin co-wrote four songs with songwriter, busbee
Busbee
Busbee is a surname and may refer to:*George Busbee , American politician*Juliana Royster Busbee, American artist*Matthew Busbee, American swimmer*Mike Busbee , American songwriter...
, who also wrote the Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts is an American country music band that originated in Columbus, Ohio, United States of America. Since its inception, Rascal Flatts has been composed of three members: Gary LeVox , Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney...
single "Summer Nights
Summer Nights (Rascal Flatts song)
"Summer Nights" is the title of a song recorded by the country music group Rascal Flatts. It was written by the band's lead singer, Gary LeVox, along with Brett James and Busbee...
". The track, "Hey Love", was co-written by Griffin and country music songwriter, Monty Powell.
"Absolutely Still
Absolutely Still
"Absolutely Still" is the first single from Better Than Ezra's seventh studio album, Paper Empire, Produced by Warren Huart and Better Than Ezra lead Singer Kevin Griffin....
", the album's first single, was co-written with Val Emmich
Val Emmich
Val Matthew Emmich is a pop rock singer-songwriter and actor from New Jersey. In 2001 he became the first unsigned artist to be featured on MTV's Total Request Live. As an actor he has appeared in such television shows as 30 Rock and Ugly Betty.-Early life:Emmich was born in Manalapan Township,...
, whose version of the song appears on the Emmich's album "Sunlight Searchparty". However, Emmich departed his label
Label
A label is a piece of paper, polymer, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or article, on which is printed a legend, information concerning the product, addresses, etc. A label may also be printed directly on the container or article....
, Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, before "Sunlight Searchparty" was released. Griffin decided that "Absolutely Still" had potential and re-recorded it with Better Than Ezra for the album.
"Just One Day" and "Fit" were also co-written with singer-songwriter Jeremy Lister. Lister's versions of the songs appear on his 2007 debut album, Just One Day EP, released by Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
.
The track "All In" was written by James Bourne
James Bourne
James Elliot Bourne is an English singer-songwriter and co-founder of pop bands Son of Dork and Busted. He is currently pursuing a solo career under the name Future Boy. His albums have sold over six million copies...
, a former member of the guitar-pop band Busted (who also performs back-up vocals on the track).
Track listing
- "Absolutely StillAbsolutely Still"Absolutely Still" is the first single from Better Than Ezra's seventh studio album, Paper Empire, Produced by Warren Huart and Better Than Ezra lead Singer Kevin Griffin....
" (lyrics: Val EmmichVal EmmichVal Matthew Emmich is a pop rock singer-songwriter and actor from New Jersey. In 2001 he became the first unsigned artist to be featured on MTV's Total Request Live. As an actor he has appeared in such television shows as 30 Rock and Ugly Betty.-Early life:Emmich was born in Manalapan Township,...
, music: Kevin GriffinKevin GriffinKevin Griffin is an American guitarist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter.Griffin formed the alternative rock band Better Than Ezra in 1988. The band had great success in the 1990s with hits such as "Good", "In the Blood", and "Desperately Wanting", and has continued in the 2000s with hits such...
) - 3:58 - "Turn Up the Bright Lights" (lyrics: Michelle LewisMichelle LewisMichelle Lewis is a singer/songwriter who has released two solo albums.-References:*http://www.michellelewis.com...
, music: Griffin & Michael BusbeeBusbeeBusbee is a surname and may refer to:*George Busbee , American politician*Juliana Royster Busbee, American artist*Matthew Busbee, American swimmer*Mike Busbee , American songwriter...
) - 3:38 - "Just One Day" (lyrics: Griffin, Kelli Anne Owens, music: Griffin, Johnny Lee Andrews & Jeremy Lister) - 4:02
- "The Loveless" (Griffin) - 4:24
- "All In" (lyrics: James BourneJames BourneJames Elliot Bourne is an English singer-songwriter and co-founder of pop bands Son of Dork and Busted. He is currently pursuing a solo career under the name Future Boy. His albums have sold over six million copies...
, music: Griffin & Busbee) - 3:28 - "Fit" (lyrics: Griffin, music: Griffin & Lister) - 3:56
- "Hell No!" (Griffin) - 3:04
- "Hey Love" (lyrics: Griffin, music: Griffin & Monty Powell) - 4:19
- "Nightclubbing" (lyrics: Jeff Tucker & Griffin, music: Griffin) - 3:24
- "Black Light" (lyrics: Griffin, music: Griffin & Busbee) - 3:33
- "Wounded" (lyrics: Griffin, music: Griffin & Busbee) - 4:41
- "I Just Knew" (Griffin) - 4:47
- "In Between Moments" - 4:05 (iTunes bonus track)
Personnel
- Kevin GriffinKevin GriffinKevin Griffin is an American guitarist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter.Griffin formed the alternative rock band Better Than Ezra in 1988. The band had great success in the 1990s with hits such as "Good", "In the Blood", and "Desperately Wanting", and has continued in the 2000s with hits such...
- Guitar, Piano, Vocals - Tom DrummondTom Drummond (musician)Tom Melville Drummond is an American musician. He is currently the bassist and background vocalist for the band, Better Than Ezra....
- Bass - Michael JeromeMichael JeromeMichael Jerome Moore, born in Wichita, Kansas, is an American rock musician and drummer. Jerome is a former member of the Toadies , Course of Empire and James Hall's band Pleasure Club, which was formed in 2002. He was also a member of the Saginaw, Texas band Pop Poppins...
- Drums
External links
- Better Than Ezra official website
- Better Than Ezra WikiBetter Than EzraBetter Than Ezra is an American alternative rock trio based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Formation and early success:Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 by its four original members - vocalist and guitarist Kevin Griffin; Joel Rundell, the lead guitarist; bassist Tom Drummond; and drummer, Cary...
- One & Done Studio
Paper Empire,
New Drummer
Track Listing