Chairlift
Does You Inspire You
Kanine Records
By Mike Archibald
Does You Inspire You is the light and breezy debut release from Brooklyn’s Chairlift. The 12 track LP features lots of airy keyboard and subtle drum patterns paired with Caroline Polacheck complimentary vocals.. “Do You Inspire You” brings an air of lofty breeze and synthetic dreams familiar to music by fellow Brooklyn residents MGMT.
Songs on the album range from an effervescent silhouette of Polacheck’s beautiful voice reaching an almost Enya-quality on the six minute epic “My Territory,” to a more playful bounce on “Bruises,” a song made famous for its choice as music for an iPod commercial. “Bruises” features a very childlike and sincere story of a girl and a guy going to long lengths to get someone’s attention only to fall and be hurt. Polacheck’s voice is subtle and less powerful on bruises then it is on “My Territory” and is presented in a conversational tandem with a stoic male counter voice.
The second track off of the album, “Planet Health,” is driven by a mixture of funky bass, chimes, electric mandolin, and more seductive vocals from Polacheck. The song dreamily rolls along like a slow dance from the Class of 1986’s senior prom. It’s relaxing and soothing before transitioning into a break of funk before returning to its regularly scheduled programming.
The album wisps through 11 tracks in a little under 45 minutes sliding between melodramatic ballads and pop gems. Does You Inspire You appears as a good contribution to the mass of musical fusion occurring in Brooklyn. When you exclude the guilty pleasure “Bruises,” this album overall is not very catchy, but instead is very soothing.
Many of the albums coming out in recent memory feature track after track of new tempos and new ideas, but this record stays consistent for the whole time it is in play. In a testament to the band, they understand their strengths and play to them with an album that is focused and memorable.
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