The solo project of former Ladies Against Males vocalist/guitarist Scott McCloud, Paramount Designs released their first album, Failing American Design, in July 2008 around the Cargo and Touch & Go brands. McCloud was became a member of in the studio room with a well-traveled music group, including Ladies Against Males drummer Alexis Fleisig, guitarist Richard Fortus, multi-instrumentalist Geoff Sanoff, pianist Paul Cantelon, vocalist Angela McCluskey, and cellist Marlan Barry.