Chairlift - Something (Everything)

Like many of their fellow New York based pop duos, Chairlift has carved out it's own little niche.  While Phantogram pursued a dreamier, Cocteau Twins like sound and Sleigh Bells mastered the art of brutally sweet pop, Chairlift has opted for an artsier, more bohemian sound.  Featuring songs titled "Le Flying Saucer Hat" or "Evident Utensil" their 2009 debut Does This Inspire You definitely had it's own thing going on.  While it had a couple of drop dead perfect pop songs in "Bruises" and "Make Your Mind Up", there were some rough moments on the debut.
With their brand-new album Something, Chairlift went on a really, seriously major eighties kick.  And if you're going to channel the eighties, it doesn't hurt to have Alan Moulder - who produced or mixed such slightly well known bands as My Bloody Valentine, U2, Smashing Pumpkins, and Nine Inch Nails back in the day - as a co-producer.
Something bleeds 80's alternative pop right out of the gates.  "Sidewalk Safari" starts off with a classic noisy synth line followed by a quirky beat throughout. "Wrong Opinion" features the soft synth lines crossed with crashing percussion parts that harken memories of "Black Celebration" era Depeche Mode.  The middle part of the album slows down a bit some mellower songs such as "Take it Out on Me" and "Cool  As A Fire".  This part of the album drags a bit but not nearly as much as the rougher spots on "Does This Inspire You".
On the latter part of the album, Chairlift comes roaring back. Despite it's odd title, "Amanaemonesia" is a knock-out track that shows the full range of vocalist Caroline Polachek with well timed vocal assistance from her partner in crime Patrick Wimberly.  As with Bruises on their debut, "Met Before" is a perfect pop song, reaching back to the California pop of the 60's as their influence here.  To finish up their sophomore effort,  Polachek and Wimberly switch to a dreamier tone with "Turning" and "Guilty As Charged" Both of these tracks bear the trademarks of Moulder's work with shoegaze legends Ride and Curve.
While Chairlift has an serious fixation 80's alt pop, Something never sounds annoyingly revisionist.  Much of this can be attributed to the songwriting skills of Polachek and Wimberly who are becoming master popmeisters quickly.  They embrace their influences without needlessly drowning their songs in nostalgia.   Co-Producers Moulder and Dan Carey help to keep the songs lean and mean.  It always comforting to see a band not rest on it's laurels and come back with a superior work the second time around.

And if this wasn't cool enough - only 3 more weeks until the new Sleigh Bells album!!!