Flight Attendant. Flight Attendant

Time for a debut album and by a rock band from Nashville, Tennessee no less. With its self-titled debut the band falls into line with a lot of bands that are popular these last circa ten years. By mixing many styles into its own Flight Attendant captures attention.

Reading the band's bio, all four members travelled to Nashville. Two started working in the services business involving serving alcoholic beverages, while other band members like to drink them. Ergo, a band was born. Somewhat as the odd one out since no country of any kind is involved in this band. In 2020 this led to the release of a first single, 'Man Of Chaos'.

I have never heard 'Man Of Chaos' before, as far as I'm aware. The single opens the album and it made me prick up my ears immediately. It has this great drive, like Warpaint on steroids. Singer Karalyne captures me with ease. She shows the different registers and tones of her voice. She can be as dreamy as Emily Kokal and as witchy as Kate Bush over 40 years ago. Drummer Derek Sprague keeps the song going ever forward. Who the bass player is, is not clear to me. Next up are the harmonies with Nikki Christie, that clearly lift the whole to the next level. What is really surprising is her viola, sparking even more life into the song. Guitarist Vinny Maniscalco plays accents and some very driving parts. This is one single and opener for an album.

Promo Graphic photo

No, not all songs on 'Flight Attendant' are as good as 'Man of Chaos'. Nearly all are very satisfying though. 'dogs', the second song also has this tremendous drive and fantastic interaction between the not so average combination of instruments for a rock band. Nikki Christie really defines part of the sound. It is part of what makes this band special.

Flight Attendant obviously listened very well to what came before 2010 also. From 4 Non Blondes to grunge and from new romantics to powerpop of the late 70s. You will find elements of it all in one or more of the songs. It is about what the band does with this legacy. Here the band delivers in my opinion. It comes up with surprising combinations, fresh ideas and for a first album Flight Attendant is off to a good start where an own identity is concerned.

Audiences in Europe can go and see the band. To my surprise all in Germany and further east though. No Western Europe. too bad, maybe next time. In the meantime I certainly will enjoy myself for a while with 'Flight Attendant'. An album that came to me out of the blue and made an immediate impact. Whatever the times, music remains so much fun.

Wout de Natris