 In December 2007, Paper Rival was named Spin.com's "Artist of the Day".The band released its debut full-length album produced by Patrick Damphier, "Dialog" on May 20, 2008.The group cited artists Blind Lemon Jefferson, Merle Haggard and Bruce Cockburn (whose song "Pacing the Cage" was covered on their 2007 self-titled EP) as musical inspirations.