Review Summary: The Airborne Toxic Event is the most promising new band to come around in years. They have, in my opinion, released the greatest debut album ever made...
The album starts in an interesting way. I say this because I believe that "Wishing Well" is the weakest song on the album. Which is rare for an album opener. Either way, anyone can tell right off the bat that the vocals are intense, and the music is brilliantly performed. Singer/guitarist Mikel Jollet is a great song-writer, and his vocals really get to you. The second track picks up the tempo a little. "Papillon" lets off the faster and catchier side of the band. You start to get a feel for these guys, and what comes next is pure brilliance.
The album picks up with the single "Gasoline", and it never lets down. Jollet's ode to teenage sex is not only sing-along catchy, it's melodic and gripping as well. The song ends before you know it, and your already wanting to skip back a track. But the album leaves you no breathing room. It jumps instantly from song to song, never giving you a break. This is actually one of my criticisms later on, but for now, the constant flow is perfect. A short thriving intro leads to a song titled, "Happiness is Overrated". What you begin with is a jazz-like guitar played by lead guitar/keyboard player Steven Chen. The song kicks in after the drop-down intro, and really lets loose as the title suggests. Mikel is really pouring out his soul in this one, "I'm sorry, I really lost my head... I'm such a bore, I'm such a bore, i don't do anything anymore". His vocals are always very believable, and if you read the history on this guy, you'll know why. He always gets you involved in the song.
"Does This Mean You're Moving On?" is next to come, and the fast-paced rocker is not a let down. The driving music and constant vocals pulse the song. This song was written very early in the bands time-line, but it doesn't show. It is both relatable and creepy. Jollet writes about basically stalking an ex. The closing line, "Anothers guy's on, does this mean you're moving on?" is a memorable one.
"This Is Nowhere" comes next, and gives you one last taste of the rock-heavy side of the album. The final four songs are much more melodic, but are built to end on a much more serious and inspiring mood. The final sequence begins with what's widely considered the bands greatest accomplishment, and their most successful single, "Sometime Around Midnight". It starts with a tragic string-quartet melody lead by Viola/Keyboard player Anna Bulbrook. She shines in this song, and is perhaps the most intriguing member of the band. The song starts out small, tight, and vocally driven. It slowly builds tension over the next couple of minutes, and eventually explodes with Guitars, Viola, and pulsing Drums. When Jollet scream, "And your friends say what is it, you look like you've seen a ghost" the music swarms, and chills are engulfing your body. The song climaxes with one last verse, and ends. You want about ten minutes of silence to take it all in, but unfortunately are lunged right into another song. It is a small complaint, but perhaps the biggest mistake on the album. It never give you a break, and makes the whole piece flow oddly.
"Something New" is the song you are lunged into, and thank God it's a good one. The harmony between Jollet and Bulbrook is amazing. It's a peaceful song, and leads well into "Missy"; one of the best tracks of the album. A catchy guitar line, great vocal melody, and very complimenting drums, the song is instantly likable. It ends with an almost Irish-punk feel to it, and revives the feel of the first half of the album. The closing song is "innocence". and it is also a song-of-the-album contender along with "Missy" and "Sometime Around Midnight". The song starts sad. A great soft guitar riff with Viola pouring over it. It continues to build tension until the drums kick in a double-time feel pop beat. The song grows from there building momentum throughout until the end. Jollet finishes strong vocally and lyrically, "I tear! I Tear! So hard! I beg and scream I was wrong, it's over, she's gone!" Again, it reads as nothing groundbreaking here, but there's something about his vocals that bring it all together.
The album builds intensity the whole time, and gets you emotionally involved. It finishes off fantastic with three of the four closing songs being the albums best. It is catchy, haunting, and weirdly inspiring. Overall the band is fantastic. One of the great rhythm sections around today, but they go a little under the radar. The Viola work is amazing, and the guitars and vocals bleed pure emotion. It would be a perfect album if it were any longer than 37 minutes. A great debut though, and I think the beginning of something unimaginable...
