We Aeronauts - Chalon Valley EP

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 4 / 8 / 2011

Label: Brainlove Records
Format: CDS

Fantastic Sonic Youth-influenced folk rock on debut album from eight-piece group We Aeronauts, slightly marred by its poor vocals

Review

We Aeronauts are an eight-piece including three James's; James C, James M and James T. Their vocals sound rather lacklustre, but there is plenty of music to enjoy in the mean time. We Aeronauts' epic folk rock is mixed with minimalism and refrains from pathos, soon developing a Sonic Youth like take on music. Their blend of stretched wide song composition and ace guitar chords, backed by the competent bass and drum section on the opening track, 'The Boatswain's Cry', only lacks a clear singing voice. Snotty and occassionally simply incomprehensible, it is about time tonsil operations are put on top of the political and health care agenda again. With the Tour de France just ended, the track 'Alpe d'Huez' proves topical and is graced with a very fine brass arrangement, but, still with those restless guitar chords à la Sonic Youth, it's a final track of grand proportions. We Aeronauts should simply clear their throats. And they'd be fine.