For most promising young bands, there is a certain synchronicity between evolution and ambition. In some cases, the two are rivaling counterweights. Brooklyn-based seem to relish in this struggle.
At the on Tuesday night, the band unveiled a blossoming dose of new music that succeeded on a level where most comparative groups would have languished in a state of contrivable dust. Undoubtedly, Chairliftap music is best when it stretches its limits.
On “Sidewalk Safari,” the exacting blend of feral synths and relentless beats sounded like a harmonious hailstorm giving way to glimpses of blue sky. It was the perfect balance of fire and tranquility. Caroline Polachek’s vocals added a ravishing mystique to the production as well. “Guilty As Charged,” in its low-tempo brood, was both sexy and stirring as its percussive core plodded alongside Polachek’s whispery teases.
“Amanaemonesia,” the most popular cut off their new record “Something,” was a bold mix of varied time structures and 80’s-era pop sequencing. With a dramatic Pet Shop Boys/Level 42 cue, the song seemed to pilfer its New Wave motif. In spite of this, the band was able to reimagine the song to make a well-worn genre seem somehow newfangled. “Bruises,” which was used in a 2008 iPod commercial, didn’t sound quite as fresh. In contrast to the fresher material, the song seemed unfit and out of place — and the band appeared almost desperate to shed its familiarity.
In light of this, it would appear that novelty out-dueled popularity on this night. For Chairlift, the urgency to evolve might just be more important than past success.
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Kris K. Coe is a freelance writer, Denver-native, and regular contributor to Reverb.
Lisa Higginbotham is a Denver photographer and a regular contributor to Reverb.
