Air Review

"Five Stars" - NPR's All Songs Considered

A beautiful and well-crafted collection of songs. - Paste Magazine

“America’s Son,” one of the latest tracks from Dallas indie folk-pop quintet Air Review, begins with a tinkling, high-pitched beat that is gradually built up with piano, banjo plucking and the soft, Sufjan-y voice of Douglas Hale. The very patriotic lyrics make us long for summer and the Fourth Of July, which is a bit depressing in these freezing January temperatures.

Part of the band’s America’s Son EP, released November 1, the track with the same name shows that Air Review has a very different sound from other folk-pop bands out there and is one to watch in 2012. Stream the track above, and scope out the video below. - CMJ

1. Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks
2. Adele - Rolling in the Deep
3. Adele - Someone Like You
4. The Black Keys - Lonely Boy
5. Coldplay - Paradise
6. Florence + The Machine - Shake it Out
7. Air Review - America's Son
8. Seryn - We Will All Be Changed
9. St. Vincent - Cruel
10. Bon Iver - Holocene - KXT 91.7

Earlier this year, we featured an advance single from the Dallas band Air Review, and the track received a good response. The band’s music is masterfully composed, performed and produced indie folk pop, as clearly demonstrated on the splendid track, “America’s Son.” In fact, it’s one of our favorite Rarely Heard Songs of 2011 (that series will also be coming out soon; browse past posts). We included both tracks the band sent us from their LP, America’s Son, which was officially released on Nov. 1st.

Without hesitation, Air Review are a band to watch in 2012. Having previously opened for bands like Bowling for Soup, Blue October, Boxer Rebellion and One Eskimo, and after making a name for themselves in the Dallas-Forth Worth area, it’s beyond us to explain why they haven’t received a record deal yet. Perhaps they have, and they turned it down, but when we listened to these tracks for the first time, and the whole album afterwards, it simply did not make sense that a label wouldn’t have signed Air Review by now.

Air Review is just another example of what we always say – there are ten times as many fantastically talented and incredibly promising bands, that are DIY and flying under the radar, than there are popular ‘indie’ and alternative rock bands that are drooled over in some mainstream ‘indie’ blogs and music sites. The second single, “Low Wishes” is unmistakably upbeat, uplifting indie pop song, complete with magnificent choruses – the kind of song that you might want to play if you need a quick shot of inspiration. If we were a label, we’d probably sign this band. In 2009, the band released their debut album, Landmarks. - Indie Rock Cafe

Earlier this year, we featured an advance single from the Dallas band Air Review, and the track received a good response. The band’s music is masterfully composed, performed and produced indie folk pop, as clearly demonstrated on the splendid track, “America’s Son.” In fact, it’s one of our favorite Rarely Heard Songs of 2011 (that series will also be coming out soon; browse past posts). We included both tracks the band sent us from their LP, America’s Son, which was officially released on Nov. 1st.

Without hesitation, Air Review are a band to watch in 2012. Having previously opened for bands like Bowling for Soup, Blue October, Boxer Rebellion and One Eskimo, and after making a name for themselves in the Dallas-Forth Worth area, it’s beyond us to explain why they haven’t received a record deal yet. Perhaps they have, and they turned it down, but when we listened to these tracks for the first time, and the whole album afterwards, it simply did not make sense that a label wouldn’t have signed Air Review by now.

Air Review is just another example of what we always say – there are ten times as many fantastically talented and incredibly promising bands, that are DIY and flying under the radar, than there are popular ‘indie’ and alternative rock bands that are drooled over in some mainstream ‘indie’ blogs and music sites. The second single, “Low Wishes” is unmistakably upbeat, uplifting indie pop song, complete with magnificent choruses – the kind of song that you might want to play if you need a quick shot of inspiration. If we were a label, we’d probably sign this band. In 2009, the band released their debut album, Landmarks. - Indie Rock Cafe

Dallas-based art-folk quintette Air Review is the auditory splendor of lead vocalist Douglas Hale (piano, guitar), backing vocalists? Dragan Jakovljevic (guitar, percussion), Richard Carpenter (guitar, percussion, keys), and Jeff Taylor (bass), with Justin Robinson on drums. Equally at home in rock clubs or at a church social, the ensemble has issued three releases since its 2009 debut. Shared stages/collaborations include Portugal The Man, The Burning Hotel, Doug Burr, The Boxer Rebellion, Bowling for Soup, One Eskimo, Blue October, Flyleaf, and Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights. Download "America's Son," from Air Review's 2011 single release. Dulcet, tender, hypnotic. - The Huffington Post

The statue talked. It looked at me and said: "I've cut the world." It was a parkette, a measly patch of grey-tipped grass on Severin and Kiln, that had a little gravel-bed bench, a few unwild flowers, leant like tired mannequins, and this statue. Sir Morgan Plank, Count of Regent Grand and its surrounding territories. All it said beneath his name and station was a one-line description of his life: "responsible for the swimsuit and the plea bargain". The swimsuit and the plea bargain. I read this and wondered which came first. But as I sat with my egg salad and salt drink, on lunch from my occupational happenstance some would call a 'job', I looked up at the patch of sky left kindly by the scrapers and thought about if I sat here all my life, like this grey-tipped grass and these blue-eyed flowers, if I would last longer than a couple of weeks. And then it spoke. "I've cut the world," it said, clear as the bell in the unseen church that rang at 4 each day. The pigeons all looked in unison. I stared blankly at the face of Sir Morgan Plank, creator of trunks and ratting out your friends, with his concave pupils and his raised right hand, and said, "Pardon?" but of course he didn't reply. I took it as a sort of apology. How lucky, I though, this ghost. At least he has an outlet. - Said the Gramophone

Type in “Air Review” on Google and you’ll get a list of various airline websites and accompanying reviews about their services, quality, etc. But alike other hard-to-google bands like Girls, Tennis or Chris Taylor’s solo gig CANT, the music will eventually conquer all, and the Dallas based band ought to start receiving more recognition.

They have only released a handful of tracks so far, and our favorite, “Low Wishes”, is a bluesy, folk driven rock song with strong, strong elements of pop to it and feels like a guaranteed winner. Listen to it below: - Pretty Much Amazing

Type in “Air Review” on Google and you’ll get a list of various airline websites and accompanying reviews about their services, quality, etc. But alike other hard-to-google bands like Girls, Tennis or Chris Taylor’s solo gig CANT, the music will eventually conquer all, and the Dallas based band ought to start receiving more recognition.

They have only released a handful of tracks so far, and our favorite, “Low Wishes”, is a bluesy, folk driven rock song with strong, strong elements of pop to it and feels like a guaranteed winner. Listen to it below: - Pretty Much Amazing

If you love indie with just the right amount of pop, then Air Review could be your new favourite band. The five-piece, who hail from Texas, specialise in making music with instantly addictive hooks that put major label songwriters to shame, as shown with earlier track ‘America’s Son’. Take ‘Low Wishes’, for example. Like a revamped and energetic version of Chairlift’s ‘Bruises’, ‘Low Wishes’ has the perfect combination of yearning and optimism that makes it such an enthralling song. The ‘oh-oh-oh’s make this track utterly infectious, and is guaranteed to put a ridiculously happy grin on even the stoniest-hearted person’s face. ‘Low Wishes’ demands constant listening, and most certainly deserves it. - The Music Ninja

Back in April, we first espoused the musical virtues of Air Review when the engaging, rustic, and immeasurably listenable, "America's Son" was our Pajammy Jam of the Day. Since then, these Texans have been quite busy, as they have been recording, rationing, and releasing the America's Son EP, one track at a time. Check out Air Review's most recent single "Low Wishes" below and watch the fresh new video for "My Automatic" over at Air Review's Facebook Page.



We were recently able to catch up with Air Review's Doug Hale, who was kind enough to answer some questions about the band's home-base Dallas, Texas. Air Review stalkers...pencils ready?

1. Tell us something unique about Dallas that we can't find on Wikipedia.

We only really have two seasons. Summer and Winter. So, if visiting, expect to need to wear shorts from March through mid-November. Then, coats from mid-November through end of February. That’s it. We’ve heard of “sweater-weather,” but it’s an ever-elusive enigma to us.

2. What's your favorite song about Dallas?

"Won’t Let Go" by David Bazan. Really he just mentions our airport...but damned if we’re not claiming the whole song. It has so much space and refrain. It’s really a gorgeous tune. Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Grandmaster Flash’s "The Message." Again - not sure it’s specifically about Dallas but he mentions it, and it’s such an iconic song. There's an urban legend that it was played for the first time on the airwaves here in Dallas on one of our underground stations, but I’m sure all cities say that.

3. If you could take us out for a drink in Dallas, where we would we go?

The Londoner is a pub we frequent. It’s clean and free of corporate sexed-up 30-somethings. Best Steak & Mushroom Pie in town.

4. If you could take us out for a meal in Dallas, where we would we go and what would we eat?

Addis Ababa. Ethiopian cuisine. It’s the best Ethiopian in town. And honestly, better than much of the food I had in Ethiopia. I’d make you wash your hands as it’s family style, and there are no utensils provided.

5. What is the easiest way to get in trouble in Dallas?

Drive around with expired registration or inspection stickers. I swear our cops have the best eyesight in the US. Freakishly good eyesight. They’ll get you every time.

6. Tell us about the first time you played at home as Air Review. How did it go?

We played our debut for a packed house at the historic Curtain Club. The sound is always brilliant, the lights were stunning. We...were okay. We had released a few songs a couple of months prior and there was a decent buzz around town. So there was a pretty good amount of expectation surrounding the show. So really we just tried to keep up with our songs and do the best we could. Of course we thought we were amazing because of the crowd response, but looking back it was a pretty rough set. - Speakers in Code

Air Review are a band that just took over my radar. This Dallas quintet played they’re first show in May of 2009 and haven’t looked back since, garnering two thumbs up from the blogosphere. I’d like to add a third. Their forthcoming EP, America’s Son, features their latest single “Low Wishes” or my favourite, the title track “America’s Son“. Former reminds me of Elliott Smith, the latter has moments Local Natives with an “Keep The Car Running” Arcade Fire chugging beat. (not sure if that even make sense but good enough for me). - Indie Music Filter

Following closely behind Rubblebucket is a new, terrific single, “America’s Son” from a band that we featured this week (that would otherwise be included in the In Dee Mail series) Air Review. - Indie Rock Cafe

Air Review, deliver one of the best indie folk pop (think Sufjan Stevens) tunes of the year with “America’s Son,” an exceptional and deep track from the upcoming fall release of their self-titled debut album. - Indie Rock Cafe

Dallas quartet Air Review are on the brink of something special. These Texans are in the process of releasing their debut EP America's Son, one single at a time, over the next five or six months. The EP's eponymous track is a cozy piece of folky Americana. Engaging, rustic, and immeasurably listenable, "America's Son" envelops us in soothing melodies, light electro plinks and tinks, soft piano, and casual guitar picks and strums. "America's Son" could fit in seamlessly around a campfire or on a canoe: the perfect aural companion to an easygoing outdoor experience.

Some sort of keen, yet unassuming hybrid of Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver, Air Review should easily capture the ears and hearts of casual music fans and serious audiophiles alike with the release of every track from the forthcoming EP. The future is indeed bright for this Texas foursome, who have been kind enough to offer their impeccable tune to you for $FREE.99. Thanks, fellas.
- Speakers in Code

Here's a track I've been digging lately that I'd like to share with you. It's called "America's Son" by the band Air Review. They are based out of Texas and have a good folk-rock / Americana sound, though that description probably is inaccurate for being too reductive and simple. This track comes from an upcoming EP, due out this fall. Each track will be released as a single over the next several months and "America's Son" is the first.

Air Review - America's Son

I really like how the song starts. It's not one of those shot-out-of-a-cannon dynamos, but there's nevertheless a confidence to its steady beat and something captivating about the simple plinks of piano and finger picked guitar. It got my attention. The vocals throughout are strong, and the tone gives a feeling of journey. I kept envisioning different scenes of someone traveling all over the country and just taking everything in.

And overall, this song had a comfortable familiarity even on my first listen, as if it were a favorite I returned to often. Perhaps Air Review was foreshadowing their destiny as a band many are going to embrace for a long time to come. I for one am excited to hear their forthcoming music. You can learn more about the band at their website here. - Those Who Dig

We introduced you to Texas based, Air Review here and this is their beautiful new song 'America's Son'. I say it is a 'big little tune' because, if you're familiar with our categories, you'll know we blog 'Big Tunes'. And this is definitely a quality tune, but it is not a scream in your face big dubstep/indie/rock/tropical grindcore type beats tunes. It's gorgeous quiet Americana Folk. A soothing tune, with rhythmic guitar picking and quiet vocals; it will suit those who are partial to a little Elliott Smith (but maybe, with a little more banjo). I also quite positively love the artwork. Find out more about Air Review on their Facebook here.

Can someone send them London way please? Many thanks. - The Ruckus

For whatever reason, I get into these swings where I can’t listen to music. I’ll try forever, but nothing will sound good for however long these spells last. Sometimes there’s a specific song or band I can only listen to, but other times, the reliable go-to’s won’t even work, and nothing sounds good at all. I don’t really know how to explain it other than comparing it to when you’re sick and can’t taste anything you eat, no matter how many foods you desperately try. Dallas folk-rock band Air Review snapped me out of my funk this week with new single “America’s Son” from their upcoming EP of the same name.

The track worked for me not because it’s especially new or exciting. The song’s actually musically pretty simple but makes you feel good in a composed kind of way, and sometimes that’s enough. There’s comfort and familiarity in its easy harmonies and folksy kindness, and suddenly you’re laying on a grassy hill where the sun’s arms are keeping you safe. As soon as I heard the lyric “I am America’s son, and I’m so inclined to run”, I knew this was it – I can listen to music again. Check out and download the track below. - Quit Mumbling

If there’s one thing you need to know about Dallas quartet Air Review, it that they could be huge. And if you need proof, look no further than ‘America’s Son’. This new track is a slice of heaven for those who like their music sweet and electro-folky with some tender vocals on the side. ‘America’s Son’ is the pop track for the summer, and should be a festival hit to rival more established acts, making Air Review one of the potential stars of 2011. ‘America’s Son’ is available via iTunes. - The Music Ninja

Air Review hail from Dallas and are releasing an EP called America’s Son this fall. The EP consists of singles that they’ve been teasing fans with since spring.

Led by the title track, these songs feature all the right ingredients of a great folk-rock tracks that are destined to warm you up inside. The lofty title track is perfect for the summer but it would also be nice to have it’s comfort during a cold winters day.

“Low Wishes” is the latest single to be released (today). It makes strides towards plenty of uplifting moments that leave you left with nothing but a smile. They aimed high and went even further than they aspired.

Another song that has me in awe is “Waiting Lessons”. It would be easy to just call this track a beautiful offering, but there’s much more to it. It digs deep into a well of human emotion that music desperately needs more of.

For a young band these guys have the whole songwriting thing executed. Don’t be surprised if Air Review are a brand name in a few short months. These songs don’t lie: - We All Want Someone to Shout For

Somewhere between the harmonies of O Brother Where Art Thou? and the sparse brilliance of the National, lies a new Dallas band, Air Review. First single, "Waiting Lessons" is a slow build, a traveling song about returns and the aspiration that you might find what you're looking for out there. By the time the band introduces horns over the original piano progression, replete with those signature pebbled drums, you'll be having flashbacks to High Violet or Boxer or Alligator. But Air Review is somewhat lighter fare, still aimed squarely at what feel like American problems of journey and identity. Most recent single, "America's Son" wrestles with exactly these issues of a quest for self, an ineluctable pull, with both songs set against profoundly domestic backdrops. Whether the search turns outward or inside, Air Review have their sights somewhere down the Mississippi, a raft, or across the bay at the light on some girl's dock, that age-old American problem of restlessness, longing and the desire to be made whole. - 32ft/Second

It's a bit of an occupational hazard to discover a band that you really like and realise that you'll probably never see them live, damn Geography. But that doesn't stop me introducing you to Air Review. As Texas is buzzing on everyone's lips right about now, it's fitting that Air Review are from Dallas and lucky you lot, you can go see them and get your hands on their EP which they plan to release this year.

Here is 'Waiting Lessons', a gorgeous pick you up kind of Saturday song, it's fitting my mood quite perfectly right now. Think a little Elliot Smith and a bit of early Noah and the Whale. So, fling open those curtains and turn this gorgeous song up loud, I love it. - The Ruckus