Chairs in the Arno - File Folder
A Familiar Seat
It’s a simple world really, isn’t it? Small pleasures like lollipops and bubble gum make up most of life’s enjoyments, right? California dreams and walks on the beach. West coast flock of four Chairs in the Arno view it all a bit more askew as if looking thru synthpop lenses. The name derives from the Florence flowed Arno river of which they kicked back studying abroad tossing actual chairs into its waters. I told you, simple pleasures. Maybe they should have considered more local influential art and composure; it would have lent a hand on their long player File Folder.
With an extremely artsy awkward feel, Folder is a dabble in musical chaos you’re either going to love or hate. It comes across with the sharp, high-pitched sounds of synthesizers amid the sundry singing of Jeff Excell and Becca Hsu. All too keyboard focused, much of the album’s sound files parallel to Postal Service and others of electro breed deemed original but here it suffers like an eighties knockoff.
However, in all fairness, the way Chairs in the Arno manages to keep File Folder up-tempo is a worthy achievement in large to its startling quirky dramatic lyrics. ‘Input Delay’ relies on such a formula marred only by its backing beat from the moogs. Yet diamonds in Folders rough like ‘Winter Song’ somehow shows the bands moment of clarity when the haze of indulgence finally gives way. Coming from seemingly different points and flowing with poise, it’s an ideal example of their potential. Then there’s witty ‘Size Thirty’, about relationship’s frailties from both sides of the ring and the search for one clear winner. Even the Figurines influenced number ‘Sequencing Anxiety’ works on its own eccentric playing field even though gimmicky at moments.
Chairs in the Arno’s self imposed cool does translate well in the studio. But for every hipster chest pump, and electronic key mash, there’s an out of tune pitch that can’t clutch its quirky weight and instead errors the otherwise original duets of Hsu and Excell. Compound the blending of each track with too few diverse moments and Folders becomes repetitive all too quickly. It’s been seen before but if you don’t mind slowing down to view the accident, you might have some memorable sights. Just don’t expect much more than a romp care-of their influences. I said it was simple, right?
Tristan Powell
