Chairlift have been dubbed in some quarters as "the new MGMT" which is a) slightly worrying, as the originals really haven't been around long enough to warrant a new version of themselves and b) not entirely accurate. I mean, yeah, it's obvious from the first milli-second you set eyes on them they hail from Brooklyn and true, they have their occasional moments of MGMT-esque cosmic space-disco splendour but on the evidence of the four songs previewed at Pure Groove's lunchtime in-store, it seems Chairlift take a generally more downbeat attitude to pop than their New York peers.
Bruises (i.e. that song from iPod commercial) is a fine slab of indie pop, albeit one almost tailor-made to score adverts for hipster gear, but it isn't that representative of the rest of their work. More often they come across as a mix of Yeasayer, Asobi Seksu, Beach House and M83, shamelessly channelling an 80's New Romantic vibe but underpinning it with oh-so-very-now tribal grooves and a smattering of always-welcome COWBELL*. It sounded good, and may even be endowed with the elusive quality of mainstream crossover appeal- but world-weary cynic as I am, I couldn't help but think, "haven't I heard this all before?" Personally, I thought they were at their best when they cranked up the funk for 'Planet Earth,' which also allowed Caroline Polachek's vocals the opportunity to soar- hers is not a voice that should be restrained to murmering over minor-chord synths. Obviously, you can't derive a full assessment of a band on the strength of four songs, but I was cautiously impressed- I'd be up for checking them out for a full set the next time they're over.
Chairlift on MySpace
(Photo: Anika)
* Capitalised for good reason. I am an ardent believer in the creed of "MOAR COWBELL!" Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata would have been so much better with a frantic cowbell break-down in the coda.
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