Chairlift @ Mercury Lounge: Black & Blue For You

Following a stunning set at ATJ Fest 2008 (video here), I had no choice but to check out the Brooklyn based trio for my second time in under a month. Highlighting eight tracks from their highly anticipated debut record, Does You Inspire You, Chairlift melded surrealism, melody & splendor into one giant indie pop rubber band ball at last night's gig. Frontwoman Caroline Polachek's divine vocal range lies somewhere between Chan Marshall (Cat Power) & Kate Bush all the while injecting a certain vigor that those aforementioned artists typically reserve. Chairlift's bittersweet & arresting instrumentation (courtesy of Aaron Pfenning & Patrick Wimberly) adds further layers of exquisiteness. Catch Chairlift this summer on their North American trek with Ariel Pink. Visit Chairlift on MySpace.

(Setlist) Garbage. Home. Deer. Evident. Earwig. Bruises. Make. Planet.

MP3: Chairlift - Evident Utensil