Chairlift

Does You Inspire You

(Kanine)

Record Review by Amber Henson

Seeing as how iPod commercials are now something of the national radio station for the new century, I’m sure that most people, if they have heard of Chairlift, will know them from last year's fourth generation Nano ad, with their song “Bruises”.  But, as I’ve discovered, the songs that Apple chooses aren’t necessarily an accurate representation of the band.  Chairlift can be airy and sweet, but the sound on their album Does You Inspire You also lives in the realm of dark, dreary, and car stereo busting bass.

Makes sense. The band started out with a plan to record background music for haunted houses.  As soon as I read that on Wikipedia I was like “Of course that’s what they set out to do!”  Aaron Pfenning (vocals, guitar), Caroline Polachek (vocals, synths) and Patrick Wimberly (drums, bass guitar) have made a very thoughtful album that takes its time wandering through minor melodies, and sometimes letting the sunshine through.

Seriously, though, careful, ‘cause if your car stereo is old, like mine, you may well blow out the speakers in the first couple of songs.  But such low, prominent bass lines combine well with Pfenning and Polachek’s ephemeral voices. Their iPod song shows off their vocals well, and the follow up track, “Somewhere Around Here,” keeps his voice low and her voice high.

Then things get a little odd after that.  The next track, “Evident Utensil” reminds me of that flash-in-the-pan band Aqua (“Barbie Girl”), with techno beats, and call backs between singers.  So maybe the album isn’t perfect all the way through, but all of it is interesting.  Chairlift has a lot of range and a lot of creativity, and have channeled it well into their second album. 

I feel like such a poser writing this, but I have to admit that their single, “Bruises” is my favorite song on the album.  Oh well.  So Apple knows what I like.  I’m not a robot.  Yet.