Lift Off, Ob-li-o Ob-la-da
by Dustin Allen & Adam Gold
click to enlarge
Thus far, Chairlift have been best known for the company they keep—often sharing the stage with fellow pop-electronic acts like MGMT and Yeasayer—along with a welcome publicity boost when Apple poached their standout “Bruises” for an iPod advert. But with last year’s debut Does You Inspire You, the Brooklyn trio pointed toward more than hipster piggybacking, tinkering with ear-piquing throwback ‘80s pop and unusual new-age textures. Chairlift may still be in a state of newbie flux, thumbing more musical threads than fully formed ideas, but their first outing offers plenty of chewable hints. Assuming this act is capable of pushing past mere promise, they’ll be one to watch closely. -Dustin Allen
With an aesthetic that’s equal parts U2 and Wilco, this local trio has been pounding Music City pavements with their olio of grand gestures, sweeping sonic landscapes and honest, heartfelt delivery since 2004. On record, they put an Americana spin on the anthemic bloodletting that has filled stadium seats for predecessors like Arcade Fire, Oasis and their aforementioned Irish counterparts. Live, they play with a yearning passion indicative of sights set higher than that of your typical local club act, and with their bombastic drums, driving melodies and synth-laden soundscapes, they fill an impressive amount of space for a trio. The result is a sound as grand as their ambitions.
-Adam Gold
Sat., March 28, 9 p.m., 2009
Sat., March 28, 9 p.m., 2009
Comments (0)