Corvair

This debut perfects indie rock humanism

Corvair
Self-Titled
Paper Walls (US) / WIAIWYA (UK)

Link: Official Site

Corvair has a song you consistently catch yourself whistling to. It’s that hook in the chorus that easily becomes a part of your psyche. I am stuck in a time loop wanting to listen to the song over and over again. The way “Sunday Runner” is set up is brilliant pop songwriting. The song begins with Brian Naubert in the forefront and Heather Larimar singing back up. Their harmonies are like a drug that you cannot get enough of, both blending Dionysian prose and complementing each other. When the chorus hits, Larimar and Naubert switch rolls. It is done so effortlessly that you almost don’t catch it unless you are paying attention. You have to pay attention. They deserve that effort. This self-titled debut deserves that effort.

Coming from the Portland indie-rock scene, the husband/wife duo have spent decades exploring musical dynamics and ideas through individual contributions in bands like Eux Autres, Ruston Mire, and The Service Providers. Together as Corvair, they have created a pop powerhouse that will leave a lasting imprint.

Ideas that took three decades to gestate, it was the pandemic that brought it all together. With the help of drummer Eric Eagle, they mapped out a cosmos with the sum bigger than their individual parts. The songs arguably may be bigger than all of us. I can point to the concept of balance that gives strength to this debut, and each song humanistically tugs at the soul.

“Green (Mean Time)” time travels back to 1981 and uses catharsis to give it that punchy stiff upper lip. The plucking of guitar notes to be interrupted by larger than life power chords is not just there for reference, it’s there to make a statement. Overall, the song showcases the group’s incredible songwriting.

“Paladin” is lush pop epistemology that feels more ethereal than any of the other songs. Then again, the synths only exemplify that emotion. It seeps over to “Sailor Down;” the mood transcends to the creation of an overall strong yet sincere indie rock song. “Focus Puller” is even more fragile, the melancholy bears down on us with a cloudy reality.

I did not know I was in for it. It was not until after “Oceansided” sunk in just how anthemic that opener really is. Again, they like to sneak up on you with a cool calm, but as it sets the stage for everything after. Yet, here I am, still humming along to “Sunday Runner.”

“All I want is all I want, is everything, is all you got.”
That line speaks volumes.

Corvair—Sunday Runner Video

Tracklisting:

1. Oceansided
2. Paladin
3. Sailor Down
4. Daily Double
5. Sunday Runner
6. Green (Mean Time)
7. Focus Puller
8. Tied Island
9. Unsubtle Lake
10. Three Stars