Something

Chairlift | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 24, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Columbia / Dmz
• ASIN: B005MAHX8A
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,927 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2012 sophomore album from the Electro-Rock duo, their first album since the departure of founding member Aaron Pfenning. The album features production from Dan Carey and Alan Moulder. Includes the single 'Amanaemonesia'.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Finding their grooves, and sounding great January 31, 2012

By Paul Allaer TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Chairlift released their debut album "Does You Inspire You" in the Fall of 2008, and I thought it was a charming debut album, if somewhat unfocused with the music vibes all over the place. After that, the band toured relentlessly (more on that later). In 2010, founding members Aaron Pfenning and Caroline Polacheck broke up romantically and shortly thereafter Pfenning left the band. Polacheck and Patrick Wimberly decided to carry on as a duo. Now, after 3 1/2 years, finally comes Chairlift's second album.

"Something" (11 tracks; 42 min.) starts off great with hard-charging tracks like "Sidewalk Safari" and, even better, "Wrong Opinion" (with Polacheck's vocals reminding me of Sarah McLaughlin), and "I Belong In Your Arms". I must admit I keep playing these three tracks more than any other on the album. After that the albums slows down a bit for a few songs, but not by much. Track 7 "Amaneamonesia" seems like it comes straight from the 1980s synth-driven rock. "Met before" continues the urgency that seems to prevail over the album to that point. Towards the end of the album, things definitely slow down, with pensive tracks like "Frigid Spring" and "Turning", although the last track "Guilty As Charged", while a slow song, has a lot of underlying bite to it.

In all, this is an excellent follow-up to the first album, and in fact surpasses it. While there is nothing as overtly "commercial" on this like "Bruises" on the first album, it makes for an overall better listen, as it is more consistent, and the songs have an overall much better groove to it. I had the good fortune of seeing Chairlift a number of times in concert while they were touring behind the first album (including at Bonnaroo 2009), and the songs rocked much harder than on the album. I can only imagine that when they go on tour for this album, these songs will sound massive. Can't wait to see this band live again. Meanwhile "Something" is highly recommended!

*UPDATE* (Sept. 12) I finally saw Chairlift here in Cincinnati this past weekend on their tour in support of "Something", and what a set it was! They played most of the songs of the album, with a couple of older tracks thrown in (including "Bruises" of course). I was amazed how much more confident the band played, compared to Bonnaroo in 2009. They tour as a four-some now, and it just sounded tremendous all around!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Chairlift has that certain "Something"! January 30, 2012

By Jaime H.

Format:Audio CD

This sophomore effort from the Brooklyn-based duo is deeply steeped in the 1980s, and quite to their success. It is not often that 80s music can be redone without sounding contrived and kitschy. Somehow, Chairlift has accomplished the feat of sounding fresh, yet paying obvious homage to the era of New Wave.
There are many times during the album one may expect Soft Cell to break through and play "Tainted Love" at any moment. On "Ghost Tonight" they even work the finger snap into the song, creating a nod to the group. At other times, the duo resurrects the sound of early Sarah McLachlan, with a slightly darker sound and just-right vocals. This is deeply apparent on "Take It Out On Me" and "Cool As Fire." From there, they move to "Turning," with a nod to the Cocteau Twins. One of the catchiest tunes, and the first single off the album, comes with "Amenaemonesia," which by the end does not even matter that one cannot pronounce it.
Chairlift has given us a cohesive and catchy album, with their bravery paying off in the end. This could have easily been a disaster, with so much obvious reference to music that has already been done. However, they took what they know and created Something that is waxing nostalgic, yet fresh and endearing.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Chairlift 2.0 January 27, 2012

By FLK6677

Format:Audio CD

After the hype from their iPod hit "Bruises" died down and co-founding member Aaron Pfenning jumped ship, Caroline Polachek and Patrick Wimberly had two choices: continue in the same direction as their debut 'Does You Inspire You' and risk becoming a mere indie pop footnote, or rethink their approach and position Chairlift for even bigger and better things. On 'Something,' it's clear they chose the latter. This sophomore release finds the now-duo exploring bolder, more colorful territory and fully embracing their pop tendencies (albeit with a twist of weirdness). All eleven tracks feature well-crafted, memorable melodies and enough stylistic variation to keep things from getting dull; from the slightly creepy, aggressive synths of opener "Sidewalk Safari" to the near-childlike exuberance of "I Belong in Your Arms" to the Cocteau Twins-styled cloud dwelling of "Turning," there's not a dud to be found. Rightfully at the forefront of it all is Caroline's ethereal voice, which is really something to marvel. Who would've thought the little band with the little song from that one commercial from 2008 would pull this many tricks out of their sleeves in 2012?