View From an Airplane
When looking from the window of an airplane while gliding through the clouds, people generally think of two things: “wow this is breathtaking and amazing,” or “everything below seems insignificant. It’s hard to believe that I ever cared about that kind of stuff.” Okay, so maybe neither of those things crossed your mind while in an airplane, and probably thousands of other things have gone through people’s minds as they were flying through the air, but the point I was trying to get across is that View from an Airplane seems insignificant.
Certainly, that was a roundabout way to get to that point, but I was hoping that I could buy myself more time to figure out what I actually want to say about the one man band from Nick Conway, another Massachusetts native. I was trying to figure out how I wanted to critique a one man band, because, just given that fact, you have to admire that he plays all the instruments involved in View From an Airplane’s music. Conway provides the vocals, guitar, bass, programming and piano work, which, in itself is a display of great talent. Lyrically, he has some strong writing ability as well, but it has trouble all coming together.
There seems to be a big lack of emotion in the songs of View From an Airplane. Sure its there in the lyrics, but I’m just not feeling it in the music, or vocals. Most of the songs are simple instrumentally with simple progressions and simple strum patterns, but given that it is a one man band I guess that it is to be expected. Also, at points in the recordings the sound of the instruments drowns out Nick’s voice, or maybe has the ability to make it a strong sleep inducer. I could listen to every track without paying attention, and just have it playing as background noise because there was nothing to grip me.
There was a glimpse of energy, and a transition in a song in “A Galactic Day” with the outro.
ill drive for days
no i wont sleep a minute without you
ill listen to your favorite songs
just to picture myself with you
you’re all thats on my mind
when we’re apart i just cant bear it
i need you here inside my arms
i need your heartbeat just to feel it
That part of the song was picked up in pace. The emotion was clear; it was a strong part of a song. Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole song on his myspace, (yes I am making my judgment off myspace. Its a great tool to find new music) that held me the whole way and made me say I want to listen to this again.
But because I am reviewing this band, I probably will go back and listen again and probably acquire a taste for the music. From the first taste though, I wasn’t satisfied. If the samples that are advertised and available for the casual listener don’t draw them in, odds are they will never buy the record.
Once again though, I will comment on his talent, and commend Nick for his effort, but maybe he would be better suited as part of a band. Complicate the instruments a little bit, add some transitions to the songs that are noticeable, I’m sure there were some but it was hard to tell, and focus on the singing and the emotion there. The lyrics are good, but if nobody is going to listen, what good is it?
View From an Airplane is talented, but from what I heard is a sleep-inducing band. There are some bright spots and strong lyrics and I’m sure there is a strong following somewhere, but they definitely lack energy.
If you want to see if I am wrong, and argue with me, or if you are into what I just put down, or even if you want to listen just for the bright spots I mentioned you can check out View From an Airplane here. Or you can pick up his CD CurrentSex/LoveNoises, which is available on Itunes.
On a side note, the song “Operation Illusion of Destiny” caught me by surprise. it started with bouncy piano, then a deep voice that despite the contrast drew me in for a second, then lost me until the chorus, but then later in the song I was confused when there was a screaming part.
So, once again, not a bad band, but the emotion and energy that is there, often isn’t enough, but there are glimpses.
