The Airborne Toxic Event - The Airborne Toxic Event Review
Posted by Brittany on 07.20.2008
They were on national radio stations without a label, manager, radio promoter, or publicist, but now they are finally signed and about to release their first full length album. Airborne Toxic Event is just that, intoxicating and you will not be able to get enough.
I was living in Los Angeles when I heard "Sometime Around Midnight" on the radio about five months ago. I haven't fallen for a song that hard in a while. When I listen to the song, I can see a scenario in my head going along with the lyrics, ya know like your own little movie in your head?
Hailing from Los Feliz, California (thats is the trendy part of Los Angeles if you were wondering) The Airborne Toxic Event started playing locally at a trendy little venue called Space Land. They were not signed to any label, had no promotion, no management, nothing but a few tunes and a record in progress. Some people at KROQ (the biggest rock radio station in the world) just happened to check out one of their shows and added an unmastered "Sometime Around Midnight" to rotation unexpectedly. Indie 103.1 (My personal favorite station) added it to their rotation the day after KROQ. Things would not be the same for Airborne after that. They became indie gods.
Only hearing "Sometime Around Midnight" I considered myself a fan. Listening to the entire album, I consider them one of my favorite bands now. I can not express how amazing this album is.
Lets start with "Sometime Around Midnight" shall we? The violin is played with a heartbreaking melody, then the drum starts in, followed by a strong hypnotizing voice that talks about the girl of your dreams...and how her memories torture the shit out of you. This song almost brings me to tears every time I hear it (Yeah, I'm a pussy, whatever). Seriously, who can't relate to a song like this?!
"And she leaves/with someone you don't know/but she makes sure you saw her/she looks right at you and bolts/As she walks out the door/your blood boiling/your stomach in ropes/and when your friends say, "What is it?/you look like you've seen a ghost"
Classic.
I also really like "Happiness Is Overrated". The vocals at the beginning remind me a bit of Gavin Rossdale and the guitar is twangy with a pinch of rockabilly, then turns into a sad dance song. This song is so damn catchy, there is no way you can't enjoy it. The lyrics are a little emo but the song is done so well, it almost hurts. Listening to it the first time, you will be singing the chorus before the song is over...Or at least I did.
"Missy" starts out sounding a little like "These Days" from Nico, turns into cute little beat, then the drums come in to get you on your feet, and get those hands together. In two words I would describe this song as romantic and hopeful, like a commercial jewelry.
Airborne Toxic Event is being compared to bands like U2, Arcade Fire, Modest Mouse, and The Clash. Those are some heavy hitters, and I really hope Airborne gets just as much recognition because this album is so good it is disgusting.
1 Wishing Well
2 Papillon
3 Gasoline
4 Happiness Is Overrated
5 Does This Mean You're Moving On?
6 This Is Nowhere
7 Sometime Around Midnight
8 Something New
9 Missy
10 Innocence
The 411: Airborne Toxic Event made it without a label, or any type of promotion, so that means,they are so good, they don't need a publicist or anyone to tell them how to go about things to make it big. Go see this band live before they start playing arena's and charging an arm and a leg to go see them. This is probably the best album of the year, everyone should get their hands on it immediately.
you barely covered 3 songs on the album. The rest of the album isn't like "Sometime around midnight" so i was disappointed.
Posted By: City (Guest) on July 20, 2008 at 01:45 AM
I can't wait to hear this record. I've seen this band like five times and I can tell the above commenter that there are three songs they play like 'Midnight'. 'Innocence', 'Wishing Well' and one called 'This is Losing'. Of those, 'Innocence' is actually my fave. So dark and sad and wonderful.
the other songs are more upbeat. kind of like pop songs but still sort of sad at the same time. you can tell they don't take themselves too seriously. they kind of remind me of the Cure or the Talking Heads.
love them.
Posted By: Guest#6863 (Guest) on July 20, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Well, I don't want to ruin the whole album for everyone! :D
I was glad the entire thing wasn't like Sometime Around Midnight, they gotta mix it up. Sorry to hear you were disappointed, I didn't think it was possible!
Posted By: Brittany (Registered) on July 20, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Thank you for capturing the essence of this extraordinary amazing band of exceptional musicans...Anyone who has had the pleasure to watch them live know that they are something special.. Each one of them is totally committed to making each of us feel what they feel. You can't deny the raw emotions... the intensity of their music makes you want to cry, laugh, love, move and Yes, Dance!!! This album is chock full of wonder. Each song is wonderful~ a treasure, but my favorites are Sometime Around Midnight~ Gasoline and the also Epic Innocence. This is just the beginning of a beautiful relationship with Airborne!
Posted By: Airborne Fan (Guest) on July 22, 2008 at 08:28 PM
