Air Review can best be described as the culmination of the past decade of “independent music.” It’s the sort of band that could not have happened had there not been The Postal Service, a Flaming Lips, a Grandaddy, an Iron & Wine, or a Sufjan Stevens. Their debut album, Low Wishes is a scant nine-song, half-hour affair, with songs that get to the point and do not meander. Yes, you may have that deja-vu that makes you think you’ve heard these songs somewhere, or that you know you’ve heard lead singer Douglas Hale on the radio, even though you haven’t.
In spite of their influences being clearly visible, Low Wishes is far from an unenjoyable listening experience. It was a wise decision to keep this album brief, for two reasons: one, had the album been any longer, it would have been too long, and two, the short length allows each song to stand on its own. Whether it’s the optimistic percussion-driven title track, the banjo-meets-computers balladeer folk of “America’s Son,” or the shuffling Britpop minded “Animal,” all of these songs hold your attention, and shine brightly, even as you move on to the next song. Sure, Air Review might not have the most original sound, but Low Wishes isn’t an album of dreck or filler. A little time and maturity will help these folk to expand their sound, and given time, they might rise above their influence.
