Search - Chairlift :: Does You Inspire You

How seriously are you going to take someone who buys an albu

Michael J. Brooker | 03/26/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm surprised this album doesn't have slightly more reviews up for it, although I'm not too shocked that the ones that are up mostly consist of "hay guys, this CD is SO not as good as that one song I heard on the iPod commercial!". I'm sorry, but if you make your album purchasing decisions based on clips from Apple commercials then I'm not going to take anything you have to say very seriously anyway. These are the same people who probably own CD's by JET, the CAESARS and the VINES who are all widely regarded as horrible bands anyway. I'm sure 18 years ago they probably would have been coming down on Nevermind as well because the rest of the album wasn't as "good" as Smells Like Teen Spirit.



Fortunately I never actually saw the commercial and was able to approach this album with a fresh perspective only to find that hey, it's pretty good! Bruises is definitely a stand out track, although so are a few others, and they have a simplistically enjoyable sound. I would recommend this album for anyone who's a fan of Kate Bush, the Cure or "dreamy" synth pop stuff in general. I really think Chairlift are on to something solid and I'm looking forward to hearing what they come out with in the future."

Intruiging debut album (now with bonus tracks)

Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 06/29/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Let me state upfront I had never heard of or listened to Chairlift, but for hearing them on internet-only WOXY (Bam! The Future of Rock and Roll), the best indie-music station in the country, bar none. I loved in particular the song I heard ("Bruises") and decided to check out the album.



"Does You Inspire You" (13 tracks, including 2 bonus tracks; 51 min.) is a very promising debut album from the Brooklyn-based trio. The album's sound is hard to describe, but brings a mix of slower and some harder rocking tunes that kind of put a spell on you. Lead singer and keyboardist Carolyn Polachek is clearly the center of attention. At times her singing reminds me of Sarah McLachlan but in far more adventurous settings. My favorite tracks include the opener "Garbage", the first single "Bruises", "Evident Utensil" (which could also be a single in my book), the biting " Make Up Your Mind" (best track on the album), and the closer "Ceiling Wax". This album was originally released in the Fall of 2008, but was recently re-released with 2 extra tracks, the excellent "Le Flying Saucer Hat" and also "Dixie Gypsy".



I had the good fortune to catch Chairlift (just off of their tour in support of Peter, Bjorn and John) not once, but twice at the Bonnaroo music festival a few weeks ago. They played smaller stages on different days, and their sets were fantastic, and rocking much harder live than what you hear on this album. This is one band I will surely be following in the years to come."