Aeroplane Can't Fly

Aeroplane's We Can't Fly isn't quite the soaring epic dance record I was hoping for, but it is a pretty decent one, none the less. Focusing on more downtempo tunes that all out bangers, Aeroplane literally define the words slow motion disco. In love with Moroder's slower more seductive productions, and an apparent inability to hurry, We Can't Fly sounds like the perfect pastel colored chilled out album you've always hoped for but never were able to find.

We Can't Fly is a sexy sunny romp through a variety of stops including dub influenced pop, godly guitar solos, chilled vocal house, and downtempo grooves. It's the kind of record that's all over the place while somehow maintaining a sense of cohesion. I have to admit that it took me a while to get into the futuristic soundscapes that Aeroplane create throughout this record but through persistence it won me over. The record is nice enough, but it just wasn't anything jaw droppingly fantastic or instantaneously accessible. It wasn't until repeated listens that the record revealed itself to be half-way decent. Once you come to grips with the fact that this record is slow motion disco you begin to realize that the many facets that We Can't Fly presents are rather tolerable.

If we divided the record into two halves, I would have to say the more instrumental first half is by far the best of the two. The second half takes a decidedly more vocal approach and quite honestly doesn't live up to the hype. The first vocal track, "I Don't Feel," sounds like a Journey outtake from somewhere around their Frontiers album and that's strange because I believe the vocals are female. Anyway, when Aeroplane go instrumental they are clearly at their best and my guess is that if this record was all instrumental it would have probably been better. Despite several set backs, there are some decent vocal moments. "Without Lies," is a perfect subdued, bleepy, slice of synth pop that's just dying to be remixed and easily the highlight of the whole album. Other than that the pickings are slim.

I still want to like this record more than I do, but I just can't find a reason. At times perfectly chilled at others relatively warm, We Can't Fly, is a nice amalgamation of influences that work well together but are one step away from truly being epic. I liked what Aeroplane have done here, but amongst a sea of a zillion other electronic artists they're just not doing anything that's jaw droppingly brilliant now matter how different they want to be.

Aeroplane Pageant Isn't Glamorous

Aeroplane Pageant is yet another New York band that sounds as if they're from anywhere but New York City. This group of four lazy musicians noodle around very quietly on their album, Even The Kids Don't Believe and sound so far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city that they sound as if they belong somewhere on a prarie in Kansas. Sounding a bit middle of the road and a bit jam bandish their songs come off as a tad mundane and whiny in that oh so radio friendly way that every middle aged adult loves these days.

Even The Kids Don't Believe is nice enough stuff but it definitely is not for me. It's not overly exciting or revolutionary and to be honest there are so few elements of danger or excitement that it's hard to even describe what this record is like. Perhaps the best way to describe it, is by just saying, it's just there. Even The Kids Don't Believe doesn't really make an effort to stand up, get your attention or even raise a ruckus. This is a record that just kind of quietly goes about it's business and does what it does without calling too much attention to itself and if you happen to notice it great.

That's ashame because the first five minutes of Even The Kids Don't Believe paints a completely different picture. "Stars Still Pretty," the second song in, is like an Of Montreal b-side that's short, punchy, catchy, and ridiculously good. The problem is, after that three minute rush of pop goodness, Even The Kids Don't Believe quickly peters out. It's as if the band put all their energy into that one song and then lost the plot. It's ashame, because if Aeroplane Pageant could have channelled that energy into the rest of Even The Kids Don't Believe, it would be a completely different ball game.

As it stands though, Aeroplane Pageant are an alright band with an alright album. Even The Kids Don't Believe isn't going to set the world and that's unfortunate because it had the potential to start a small forest fire or at least be a pretty decent pop record. Unfortunately, they didn't even get that far. Oh well, there's always next time.