eThe Lawnchairs
Somatic
Next of kin: The Good Life, The Postal Service
3 stars out of 5
The Lawnchairs don't practice in a rehearsal space. And they definitely don’t practice in a garage. The three recent Syracuse University graduates don't even practice in the same room.
The Lawnchairs are Ian Bennett (vocals,guitar) and brothers Chuck and Mike Steidle. The band makes electronic music via guitar manipulation, MIDI instruments and sampling using computer software. The result: some chillingly gorgeous sounds that make actual instruments seem lame and outdated.
While many popular bands are busy imitating their rock forefathers, The Lawnchairs are drawing their inspiration from the future. They are using the computer to communicate, create original sounds and compose. Self-recording and file sharing enables the group to co-write songs without actually seeing one another in person.
An introspective glare haunts "Your Spilling Eye," on which echoing vocals meander through vacant, abandoned houses: "I'd spend the rest of my life fast asleep/ before giving away the everything your smile gave to me."
Somatic's beauty floats in the lullaby "Snakes at the Bottom" only to be shocked awake by Bjork-like, fuzzed-out techno beats on "I Can't Remember," a stunning parody of carefully welded opposites.
This is a band to watch out for as they grow into their collaborative process.
-Marisa Bardach
Be the first to comment on this article!