"Lit From Within“ is the third full-length release from Winnipeg's The Paperbacks. The new double album, Produced by Jaret McNabb (Projektor “Tired Atlantic South” EP, The Paperbacks “An Episode of Sparrows”) is being released on January 12, 2010, on the Parliament of Trees label

On their new release The Paperbacks continue their exploration of powerful and unlikely lyrical topics. While their previous CD, “An Illusion Against Death,“ questioned the role of art in the life of the artist, “Lit From Within” examines more fully the motivations behind art and activism, their parallels, and the effect of each on the health of the practitioner. Opener Good Lives (For Bad Reasons) looks at a moment of crisis for a veteran social activist (“You’ve had a hard life for noble reasons, and it’s not clear what that’s worth…”), and from there, the 32 song set travels through distractions, addictions, death, abuse and faithlessness to ultimately find its way back to a sense of strength, purpose and recommitment. The sonic adventurousness is not lost beneath the intensity of the subject matter; the band, propelled by McNabb’s masterful production, takes incredible risks and pushes hard in as many directions as the running time allows

“Lit From Within” marks the debut of the Paperbacks new line-up. Remaining from the original group are songwriter Doug McLean, and bassist Jaret McNabb. They are joined by guitarist Kevin Andrechuk, drummer Corey Biluk and Kevin McLean on keyboards. "Lit From Within" also features an impressive cast of guest musicians including Jahmeel Russell (Projektor, Kittens), Alison DeGroot, and Rosalyn Dennett (both members of Oh My Darling), Mike Koop (The Bonaduces, The Kicker), Andrew Filyk (Anthem Red, The City Champs) and Ian LaRue.

“Lit From Within” Disc 1 track listing: 1. Good Lives (For Bad Reasons). 2. Stars (For Claire Massey). 3. The Asheville Period (In Retrospect). 4. Slow Learners. 5. Triggering. 6. Communicated Through Blood. 7. Regrettable Tattoos. 8. Do You Sleep?. 9. Perpetual Autumn. 10. Caroline. 11. Illness as Metaphor. 12. Crude Instruments. 13. A Year On Trial. 14. You Are a Reservoir. 15. The Coast Starlight.

“Lit From Within” Disc 2 track listing: 1. The Arc of a Light. 2. A Dizzy Chain of Bees. 3. Casually Swearing at the Vacant Coastline. 4. Math Damage/Maggot Age. 5. Umbrella Skeletons. 6. Day Planners 7. Make Art. 8. Patron Saint of Atheists. 9. No Fatalities. 10. Lit From Within. 11. A Hawthorne Sublet. 12. The Empire Builder. 13. Continental Drift. 14. Rolling Blackouts. 15. It Will Take Courage My Love. 16. An Asterisk Beside My Name. 17. Thieves Guild.

A preview of album versions of songs Slow Learners and Make Art are now available in the Virbmusic player!