New Music Critique: Airplane Mode

Led by photogenic frontman Dave Wiskus, New York City-based Airplane Mode have a bright, amiable, radio-friendly sound that is hampered by lacklustre production & mixing that causes crafty songs like “Holding My Breath” and “In The City” to flatline. On both songs the lead vocal needs more vigor, but is instead overshadowed by the rest of the band, especially the keyboards, which contribute some nice, tasty tones. The band’s radio potential suddenly breaks through on the hooky “Between the Stars and You” where everything works far, far better. There’s real potential in Airplane Mode; they just need a savvy knob-tweaker who can provide these performances and recordings with more lift.