Something

Chairlift | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: January 23, 2012
• Label: Kanine/Columbia
• Copyright: (P) 2011, 2012 Kanine Records
• Total Length: 41:29
• Genres:
• ASIN: B006WG1TUG
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,233 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Something (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!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

Jaime H. (MI, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Something (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.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars standing ovation, January 29, 2012

By 

Kevin D. Corcoran Jr. (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Something (Audio CD)

I found out about this band on their black cab session (side note: if you haven't heard of, or watched a black cab session... you are really in for a treat when you finally check them out.) Anyway, I've enjoyed just about every artist that has ever played on their videos, but something about Chairlift got me more excited then the others. I picked up the album almost immediately after watching it, and the past few days have been entirely fueled by "Something". I definitely recommend this to friends, family, loved ones, and pets... spread the love for this great musical piece.