{"product_id":"paragons-lp","title":"Paragons [LP]","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTypically, a band’s big indie label debut doesn’t come15 albums into its career, but with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstant Smiles \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParagons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, here we are. Primary songwriter and sole “constant” member Ben Jones—who considers \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmiles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e a collective—sees its impressive output as a way to document the group’s evolution.Since its live debut as a noise duo on Ben’s home of Martha’s Vineyard in 2009, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmiles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e has grown to include contributions from 50 other members, all of whom have personal connections to the group’s extended family. And while the collective has indulged an array of musical whims along the way - including Ben’s penchant for penning a new set’s worth of material for each live performance \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmiles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e’ sound has tightened up considerably over their past couple of albums, in large part as a result of Ben’s working relationship with Mike Mackey, who has become his main creative partner. This increased focus manifests on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParagons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in the band’s most cohesive batch of songs to date, ranging from shimmering psych-pop excursions to bittersweet, piano and string-accented strummers, and an execution that feels like a massive step forward for the band.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThrough its recent forays into dream pop and shoegaze (Control) and synth-pop (John Waters), \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmiles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e has learned how to incorporate its experimental inclinations more fluidly into the mix. Artists likeYo La Tengo, and the more recent Rat Columns, are good touchstones forConstant Smiles’ musical approach - tethering to an indie-pop core while perennially mining genres, always finding new ways to intrigue listeners and pursue a unique vision.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParagons was produced and engineered by Ben Greenberg in the last two weeks of December 2020 at Gary’s Electric, with additional recording done by Ben Jones at his home studio,The Void, and his Aunt Leanne’s house. The album was mixed at Circular Ruin Studio and mastered byJosh Bonati. The band on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParagons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e consists of Jai Berger (who performed “Introduction”), Spike Currier (bass and synth), Matthew Addison (drums), Emma Conley (violin), Nicky Wetherell (cello), Adam Lipsky (piano), and Ben Greenberg (guitar and Mellotron).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cdiv data-bt-autogen\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTracklist:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRun to Stay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHope for Tomorrow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Things I Miss\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearning to Start Over\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWith Death in Mind\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterlude\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Weight\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDaisy, Table for Three\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease Don't Be Late\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShame\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhere Am I Now?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutro\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPC:\u003c\/strong\u003e 843563141687\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLabel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sacred Bones\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelease Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11.12.21\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vinyl\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Constant Smiles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58293062369361,"sku":"633950","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/5023\/8545\/files\/4010562-2745244.jpg?v=1760748519","url":"https:\/\/apocalypsevinyl.com\/es\/products\/paragons-lp","provider":"Apocalypse Vinyl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}