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Music Review: Does You Inspire You

Caroline Polachek, Chairlift's deadpan singer, elevates cool intensity to a fine art in this spellbinding debut.

—By Jon Young
2 Comments | Post Comment
November/December 2008 Issue

This Brooklyn trio adds its own creeping unease to familiar synth-pop sounds on its spellbinding debut. With subtle shifts of tone, deadpan singer Caroline Polachek elevates cool intensity to a fine art: In the ominous "Garbage" she oozes contempt, reciting a list of trash that begins, "Your condoms and your vcr"; on the bouncy "Evident Utensil" she chirps softly, "How hard must I try for you?," hinting at deep resentment. And when she erupts in funky shouting on "Make Your Mind Up," Polachek is riveting. More of that next time, please.


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Jon Young is a contributing writer for Mother Jones. For more of his stories, click here.
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      Submitted by new yorker (not verified) on November 1, 2008 - 6:00pm.

      to my mind, Make Your Mind Up is the jewel in the crown. surprisingly it has attracted little attention before your mention.... riveting is the correct word.

      no profile pic for comment author

      Make Your Mind Up by Chairlift

      Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 14, 2009 - 10:25am.

      I completely agree about MYMU. One day it will catch fire. For now, look on YouTube for the video of Caroline singing it in Paris a coupla weeks ago.

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