With a performance at the 2007 Lollapalooza festival, the release of an EP, appearances on numerous compilations, and live performances with bands such as Athlete, Lymbyc Systym and Au Revoir Simone all tucked safely behind them, Helicopters closed the door on the final chapter of their debut album and quickly got to work on their next major endeavor, "Sizing Up the Distance".
Many bands make an intentional effort to move away from a sound or direction of a previous project; a cathartic expunging of the past. “Our first album was very much an attempt to explore a genre that was new to us… we wanted electronic elements to clearly define the framework and feel of each song. We even replaced our drummer with a laptop”, says principal guitarist, Jason Caldeira. “But 'Sizing Up the Distance' was much more about building upon what we’d already defined with the first album… we all wanted to continue using electronic elements, but more for color and texture than foundation.”
Despite being a clear departure from the dominating loops and electronics of "How to Fake Fall Asleep", "Sizing Up the Distance" is a highly logical evolutionary leap for the band. The electronic pop fare has been replaced with fuller, more sophisticated arrangements. “Production for this album is lush yet defined. We wanted to create an atmosphere in which you are first aware of the size and mood of the song.” says multi-instrumentalist and producer, Brian Fifield. “It’s only after multiple listens that you’ll begin to hear the subtle nuances.”
"Sizing Up the Distance" is Helicopters at their most articulate, cohesive, and cinematic. “Having three principal songwriters can present some challenges. This time around we did a much better job of letting each other breathe during the writing and recording process.” says singer/guitarist, Dave Moran. “Each of us would bring bare-bones song structures to the table, and then relinquish control to the other two. In the end, I think it makes for a much more balanced set of songs.” It’s in this breathing room that the influences of Air, Duran Duran, and Death Cab For Cutie can faintly be heard. From the soundscape ambience of songs like “Iran”, to the pure dance floor grit of “Still Silhouettes”, to the somewhat darker new wave influence in “White Lily No Soul”, a defining thread is exposed: a unifying theme of physical and emotional proximity between people searching for common ground.
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“Chicago's Helicopters never mentioned that they scored (Lollapalooza's) first slot because they were finalists in Lolla's battle-of-the-bands contest, dubbed ‘Last Band Standing.' Fortunately, the guitars-keyboard-drum machine trio sounded polished enough to rise above being labeled as wannabes, with the group seemingly playing from the mid-point of Ben Gibbard's brain—planted firmly between Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service.” Chicago Tribune
“The band is Helicopters, their new CD is Sizing Up The Distance. Both are things you need to jot on a Post-it and slap to your monitor ASAP...these guys are onto something, so look out Coldplay.” The New York Post
“Wonderful ideas, well-executed, surprises galore...I can't help but play (‘Still Silhouettes') loudly every chance I get. Certainly one of the best compact discs of the year out of Chicago.” Richard Milne, WXRT
“...the music falls in line with contemporary kings of synthesis such as Junior Boys or even Hot Chip.” Time Out Chicago
“The title of (Sizing Up the Distance) implies that there is a distance the band is facing, but with each spin of this disc, with each live performance, with each glowing review, the distance between unknown and stardom grows smaller.” The Deli Magazine, Chicago
“Like a gift from indie pop heaven, Helicopters are a breath of fresh air for your ears.” Kata Rokkar
“Somewhere between Bloc Party and Grizzly Bear lies Chicago's Helicopters. At first glance you might be thrown by the indie/electro/pop genre they've given themselves. Sure they're indie. Sure they're electro. Sure they're pop. But there's no new wave echoes slanting their sound. Lush is the word I would use.” Pasta Primavera
“Sizing Up The Distance amplifies the band's continued progress to bring greater depth and color to its indie guitar pop originals by overlaying electronics, loops, and other studio tweaks. This latest does justice to the buzz Helicopters has built. Indicative of the trio at its best is the final cut, ‘This Is the Bookend,' a nothing-short-of-brilliant homage to Paul Simon's classic Bookend ballad, ‘America'.” Illinois Entertainer
“Their musical influences from such artists as Air, Duran Duran, and Death Cab For Cutie are also noticeable. With Distance, the Midwestern trio delves into electronica with more complex and sophisticated arrangements.” Chicago I N N E R V I E W
“These are some finely crafted gems.” 3 Hive
“Do you remember the first time you heard Fleet Foxes or Ra Ra Riot? Helicopters is kinda like that, it just sounds new, refreshing, and simply awesome - one of the few bands I've heard this year that can hook you on the first listen and keep your interest on the tenth...in a single day!” Audio Muffin
“I'm in love with...Helicopters...the quality of this band's lushly layered sound is unavoidable. Their tendency to move towards the synthesized just feels completely right, while it remains warm and engaging. There's an intricacy to their songs which is immensely pleasing and the song-writing is sufficiently hooky to make you want to return.” The Mix Tape Podcast
“It grows better with each listen, too. I'm on my second time through it and loving it more than before. There's a lot here that's easy to miss on a casual listen. On ‘Headlights', for example, which is on right now, there's a '70s AM Radio vibe that I didn't catch the first time around. And on my first pass, I didn't appreciate the vocal scratching and X-party throb, but this time, I'm noticing the vocals that haunt the background, weaving to the front and then the back. It's like I'm moving through a crowd. Great stuff.” Berkeley Place
“Helicopters are a combination of all things good in popular music.” Diagonal Limes
thanx 4 the add,,,,I called my doctors office today to find out their new location,the receptionist asked me if I wanted to know where he practiced,,,I said HELL NO,I WANNA KNOW WHERE HE GETS IT RIGHT" haha
Hey - we're playing the Empty Bottle on Friday - it's a benefit for Co-op Image Group w/ Mucca Pazza & The Arctic Circle, so come out - it'll be a great time!
Hey - we're playing the Empty Bottle this Thursday w/ New Canyons & The Prairie Cartel DJs - Come out and see us before we go into our winter recording hibernation.. Oh, and there's a new remix up on our myspace page too.
Hey guys!! SO great to hear from you!! :) We miss you as well. We hope to see you in the spring... we're planning on coming out your way then. How's things? -Mel and Rich
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