After hearing their Spector-ish, Brian Wilson-esque wall of pop song "Hit the Snow," I starting searching around for more music and information about this current San Franciscan band. While they may be a little too twee for some, they find Spector's place through the quiet neighborhood side streets. Their first album, Terrible Things Happen is an introspective and ornate recording that seems (on the surface) far removed (and sometime sheltered) from the blunt & repetitious weekday world of work, congested freeways and forms. Their second and much stronger release, Last Match decides to "Don't Worry Baby" and go out to re-explore both the narrow & wide world. The album seems to be a restatement that beauty can be found and experienced (both from the past and now) with the acknowledgement that the dispiriting factors will always continue their tired cycles.
Their live show last night (Nov. 18, 2000) in Phoenix at the "art space venue" (Modified) was a bit incohesive, but it did contain some moments of illumination that make this band stand on the vista of Spector's vision over the "lower case" underground of indie-pop bands. The Aislers' show does not go "all out" or "break through the artificial facades" in the way that many of the riveting garage bands do, but they could get a whole room dancing (if others left their attitudes at the door). Their live sound, layering a happy Vox Contential organ, trebly and sprinting Fender guitar, beat-surf drumming, wrecking crew Fender bass and a chiming Guild 12 string, created both an atmosphere of hope and a smile.
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