Search - On! Air! Library! :: On Air Library

Best of 2004

alexander laurence | Los Angeles, CA | 05/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On!Air!Library! is a band made up of twin sisters, Alley and Claudia "Cloudy" Deheza, and Phillip Wann. This band started almost five years ago in New York City. Their music is as distinct and refined as any band. It is music that full of atmosphere and very much like a collage of sound. The sound of guitars swirls around with samples and vocals. The songs seem like destroyed landscapes where anything could happen. Maybe this is the reason for some of their Goth following? Anyway, On!Air!Library are prolific, thoughtful, and seem to be excited about reaching out to the new fans. They released a self-produced EP a few years ago. Aaron Shoblaske engineered the split EP with The Album Leaf, which was their second release. Producer Steve Rivette who has worked with The Beastie Boys, and Liars recorded the new album. Most of the tracks were originally recorded in Phillip Wann's bedroom studio. On!Air!Library! explores both songwriting and experimental music on this record. It also features drumming by Brad Conroy of The Boggs and Sam Fogarino of Interpol. It is like their mutual love of movie soundtracks and the 4AD label brought them all together.On!Air!Library! took their name from an African documentary featuring an old man who read books on a radio show. The band prides themselves on being genre-busting and part of no specific scene. They seem to have a bunch of bizarre things happening to them. I got in contact with all three members of the band recently. I am not sure if we got the story straight, but that's okay. Their album will be released in April 2004. This should coincide with a large tour. If you can, you should go check them out."

On!Air!Library ... oh my!

Jellybones | On Tour | 04/11/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Another NY product, described in a byline on Pitchfork as being shoegaze, it drifts far from those baseline influences and wanders out into ambient soundscapes punctuated by passionate vocals and ripe with samples and other surprising amusements. Alejandra Estrela Deheza's vocals stand out impressively, and I can't quite decide who she reminds me of, though it's haunting at times and bold and decisive at others. The soft interplay between her and Brad Conroy epitomize most of the album, with its other striking features being found background sounds and samples and chorus syrupy guitar. For an example of that guitar, head to "Spaghetti Western Superstar", and you'll see what I mean. The track also featues hushed vocals and a downtempo beat, it actually reminds me of Ira's more recent Yo La Teng stylings.
"Bread" is a great track with Alejandra's vocals and a back vocal (herself?) reverbing between echoing guitars and a steady cymbal ringing drum line. I could almost imaging this is what Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star would have sounded like if backed by the Drop Nineteens. Ok, thats an odd reference... actually its more reminiscent of Jane's Addiction's "Classic Girl. "Sad Sad Zoo" slows down, and rambles along almost into Americana tumbleweed with clean guitar and lamenting strings, and features Brad Conroy's vocals instead of Alejandra's. "Fall to Earth" showcases Alejandra and Brad trading vocals, with the former opening up with a drone behind effect drenched guitar, shifting duties over to the latter as the song ping-pongs around, with answering machine samples and a drum machine (also perhaps sampled?) that even does some hand clappin' at times, and during a few moments a guitar note or two that evokes images of The Fixx. My fav track is probably "User28", featuring many of the above mentioned approaches, but featuring a darker guitar melody complimented by stop-and-go baseline with some pop and slide to it. It was during this track I decided I really liked this release, and that I heard the influence I was missing; it's very Cocteau Twins-esque (though Alejandra's vocals are a bit raspier). The most accessible track is probably "Feb", though not the most daring. They do get daring at times, and not every song is perfection, just a few listens to the cacophonic "Bamnalance" will make you aware of that, but despite this, the album a good album from a band with great promise."

4AD Redux

Steven Moore | Ann Arbor, MI USA | 04/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A superb CD that reminded me of Brit bands from the early '90s like Seefeel, Snowpony, Scala, even My Bloody Valentine at times, but with a contemporary feel. A reviewer compared them to what Lush may have sounded like if they had continued (sigh!), maybe even Garbage if they had gone way more experimental. If you like any of these referenced bands, be sure to pick this up, despite the! puzzling! name!"