The more I listen to Chairlift, the more I like them. I had listened to this 3-person Brooklyn band a little bit before seeing them at Chop Suey on Monday night and had watched their “Planet Health” video (which everyone should check out since it is just a wee bit strange and a little trippy). With lyrics such as, “I visited the food pyramid/In the desert of vitamins/I found a desired heart rate/And a mouth to resuscitate,” who can resist being a little intrigued?
On their 2008 album Does You Inspire You, lead singer Caroline Polachek impresses with her rich and eclectic vocals (check out “Territory” and “Make Your Mind Up"). I was actually surprised that the owner of this voice belonged to a slightly nerdy, skinny girl wearing a huge 1980s-inspired dress shirt complete with sequins. She spent the evening hovering over her keyboard, at times aggressively bobbing her head to the more upbeat songs. Their performance of “Evident Utensil” and “Bruises,” their most popular song so far due to iPod commercials, were the highlights of the evening. These two very danceable numbers had the most power of all the songs in their set. Polachek playfully explores her high vocal range while bandmate Aaron Pfenning contrasts her with his deep, breathy vocals. However, I found myself disappointed that their sound came out muddled due to the not-so-great sound system at Chop Suey.
Chairlift’s performance at Chop Suey was short and sweet. But in that short 30-minute time span that they were on stage, you could see the flickers of the greatness that Chairlift might one day achieve.
DOWNLOAD: Chairlift - Evident Utensil (MP3) or Follow us for more Chairlift MP3s (Twitter)
Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.
Also, I have yet to pay this venue a visit, is it good spot? good people, good vibe, good atmosphere?
... man, i hope i win some tickets…
by Jaz Bonnin-Aldatz on Thu May 17, 2012 at 12.27 am from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Looking forward to the show. Would love to win some tix for my pals.
by MC Breath on Wed May 16, 2012 at 07.40 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
I’m dying to see him no better place than FETE!!
by Telly on Tue May 15, 2012 at 02.57 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
Sound does matter. Viva Le Fete!
by Auquanetta on Tue May 15, 2012 at 01.13 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
YES! i MUST go to this show! i was just strollin down the street the other day and saw the poster! SO stoked they’ll be in town.
by Jaz on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.30 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Fete Forever!!
by Tabitha on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.08 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
Congratulations and thank you to Fete for bringing talent to Providence! We needed this venue and vibe. Bless.
oh and I’d love to win tickets; its my boyfriends bday:D
by Ellen on Mon May 14, 2012 at 07.23 am from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
You have some nice photos here. I was at that show, too. I was disappointed in the sound system, but there was a sound guy moving back and forth between the floor and the boards, so I appreciate the effort he made. It sounded to my ears like all the kinks were worked out by the time Sebastien Tellier played; what do you think? If Chairlift had played a few more songs, we might have gotten to hear them with better sound quality, but I still thoroughly enjoyed their five-song set.