CD Review: Chairlift - Something

Written by Sebastian Huhn Thursday, 16 February 2012 12:39

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Artist: Chairlift
Title: Something
Genre: Electronic / Pop
Release Date: 27th January 2012
Label: Sony Music

Album Review

CHAIRLIFT had their fair and deserved share of success ever since the debut album ‘Does You Inspire You’ in 2008. Founding member Aaron Pfenning meanwhile left the band to pursue a solo career. His place was taken by Patrick Wimberly with whom the second album ‘Something’ was recorded now. The album opens with a whimsical melody sample laid over a faltering beat. I’m not quite sure if I just didn’t notice on the last album, but there is a penchant for integrating Eastern elements into the music on ‘Something’. Either it’s a sample or a little melody. Oddly enough, it fits in some way with the music at all times. The duo keeps following a very simple recipe on the new album: Taking a simple beat pattern and adding a set of airy textures to it with Caroline’s vocals thrown in for good measure. It’s not a bad idea at all. That way there’s not much putting boundaries in the way of the vocal performance. Caroline keeps it pretty straightforward though, but has never sounded more haunting.

One particular track that has caught me in right away on first listen was ‘Cool As A Fire’. Gracefully constructed of decent strings, a sampled beat and an extraordinary vocal performance it’s easily THE stand-out track. ‘Met Before’ employs a 70s rock feeling coupled with the glam of a later pop era. ‘Frigid Spring’ on the other hand turns out as more of an acoustic type of affair while on the closing ‘Guilty As Charged’ the love for experimentation comes through again. If I had to label the style somehow I could use “Strange Pop” for it. It’s indeed a quirky mixture of elements presented here. Nevertheless, it will appeal to certain listeners, because they will instinctively recognize the distinctive style that separates them from the rest.


Tracklist

01. Sidewalk Safari - 3:49
02. Wrong Opinion - 5:06
03. I Belong In Your Arms - 3:27
04. Take It Out On Me - 3:54
05. Ghost Tonight - 3:07
06. Cool As A Fire - 3:58
07. Amanaemonesia - 5:01
08. Met Before - 2:54
09. Frigid Spring - 3:49
10. Turning - 2:59
11. Guilty As Charged - 3:34


Line-Up

Caroline Polachek
Patrick Wimberly


Website

http://www.facebook.com/chairlift


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10