| Crystal Castles Crystal Castles |
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 | Tracklist:
01 Untrust Us
02 Crimewave (Crystal Castles vs. HEALTH)
03 Alice Practice
04 Magic Spells
05 Xxzxcuzx Me
06 Air War
07 Courtship Dating
08 Vanished
09 1983 1991
10 Good Time
11 Love And Caring
12 Knights
13 Through The Hosiery
14 Reckless
15 Black Panther
16 Tell Me What To Swallow
Release Date: 03/18/2008 | |
| | other reviews | Vikki Hall (4)
Some of the most experimental music that we've heard for a while, who would have thought people woul... | Chris Jackson EMERITUS (2.5)
Simple, catchy synth-pop that brings back memories of the Super Nintendo.... |
On 17 Lists
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| Summary: If there was ever a term such as experimental techno, this would be the time to use it. |
8 of 8 thought this review was well written
Spastic, eclectic, original, energetic; these are all words that could be used to describe Crystal Castle's latest effort, "Crystal Castles," their self titled sophomore (or maybe debut? It gets hard to tell with all the EP's and singles bands release nowadays) album. The duo of Ethan Kath, who composes the music, and Alice Glass, the singer, manage to take what is essentially nintendo music to weird new levels where 8 bit synthesizers meet distorted electronica. This creates a new style of music that is at times extremely tense yet extremely listenable.
The album begins with what is one of their most "mainstream" songs, "Untrust Us." A pleasant mix of synthesizer, bass and what sounds like the reverse of a woman speaking a foreign language come together to create an aesthetic, welcoming environment. However, the second song is where Crystal Castles really comes together and the fun begins. Starting with a distorted bass line that sounds like Justice - lite, the song prominently features the bands main vocals - a glitchy female voice screaming with extreme urgency. It doesn't matter that you can't understand anything she's saying - it actually sounds good and goes well with the glitchy feel of the band and their songs. The next song, Crimewave, is a remix, but it maintains the feel of the album - complete with minimal high pitched 8 bit notes.
The party continues on "XXZXCUZX Me." Yeah, I don't know what that means either, but it doesn't matter - the song is a 5 hour dance party condensed into 2 minutes, with a tempo of like 200 beats per minute. Seriously, try to dance to this song and see how it feels to pull a muscle, maybe dislocate a bone. "Courtship Date" is another interesting song, and probably one you've already heard if you've ever listened to "Ayo Technology" by 50 Cent. It hasn't been confirmed, but it's most likely 50 Cent's producer heard this song and thought - that is so freaking cool, I am so gonna use that in my next song and nobody will care because it's just Crystal Castles. This definitely gives CC a lot of street cred. As a side note, this is definitely one of the highlights on the album, if not the best song. Even if you hate this album and want Crystal Castles to go back into the world where all techno duo's come from (Another side note: Why is all electronic music made with two people? Cases in point, Daft Punk, Justice, Ratatat, etc.), give this song a listen.
The next round of songs: "1991", "Vanished", "Knights", "Love and Caring," etc, all serve to end the album with a barrage of solid techno. "Vanished" feels like a nervous walk through haunted woods (with normal vocals!), "Knights" sounds like something an indie alien would listen to, and "Black Panther" sounds very close to becoming rave music, with slightly poppy vocals and an upbeat, danceable (to an extent) beat. The last song, "Tell Me What To Swallow" is a complete and utter departure from the rest of the album, and was probably put in for no other reason than to be different, or something. A very transcendental and harmonious, yet forgettable, song, the album is best listened to with the omission of this confusing track.
Taken as a whole, this is certainly one of the most original and venturous albums released in a while. Crystal Castles manage to not only create their own world of dissonant sound, but also to stay within the confines of that sound to create a solid body of tracks that work together. At first however, the tracks by themselves may seem weird and uninviting - and that's because they are weird. This will never fly in the mainstream world - but doesn't that make you that much cooler for listening and liking it?
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Album Rating: 3.5
great electro-album + even better review
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
pretty awesome album.
it doesn't hurt that alice is a pretty good looking female too.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I expected these guys to sound like I Am Spoonbender based on the review, but this album is a lot more dancable. I like it though. Good review too.
Digging: The Shizit - The Shizit | | | Album Rating: 3.5
Pretty enjoyable album, love the odd little Air War.
Digging: High Contrast - Confidential | | | Album Rating: 4
Definitely one of the few fresh breaths this year and one of the few that manages to play with the 8-bit sounds with a little originality. Loving the album, and seriously can't wait to catch them live.. the shows are getting legendary already.
Glad to see more music like this getting love on this site! :D
| | | Album Rating: 2
Due to all the indie NME worshipping scene fucks in my area worshipping CC I had my doubts about CC.
After downloading listening then deleting this album my doubts were promptly affirmed as this is a poor excuse for dance music.
If this is what electro has become I'll stick listening to Ambient/Hard House, Hardstyle and Makina thanx
Good review none the lessThis Message Edited On 07.19.08This Message Edited On 07.20.08
Digging: Dead Swans - Sleepwalkers | | |
Experimental? This is standard, uninteresting hipster doofus dance music. They have one song that I'm positive is nothing more than a malfunctioning SNES with a dance backbeat. They're not awful but they're certainly not good or interesting.
Digging: A Forest of Stars - The Corpse of Rebirth
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Experimental? No. Enjoyable? Yes.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
One of my favourites.
She's pretty much hypnotic, in my opinion.
Good review too.
| | | Album Rating: 5 | Sound Off
two kids with the right idea... high energy dance-your-life-away electronica, it's great. i can't get enough of this stuff, totally looking forward to what comes out next year.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Good album.
Nice review too.
| | | Album Rating: 3
Crimewave and Alice practice are brilliant tracks, yet to get the album but I'm sure it will be one ofmy next purchases. Oh and good review.This Message Edited On 01.12.09
Digging: Will Smith - Willenium | | |
album's pretty fun
Digging: Smog - A River Ain't Too Much Too Love
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this sucks
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Fkn hell like seriously some of this sh*t is plain unlistenable, just disgusting, like Alice Practice and XXZCUZK Me. They are absolutely disgraceful excuses for songs and should never have been allowed to be released in to the public domain. Love and Caring falls in to this category as well.
On the other hand, Crimewave is absolutely sick. Their mellower moments are quality. Their tripped-out, Super-Mario-Bros-on-speed moments are fukin awful. Massive contrasts on this album.
Digging: Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More | | | Album Rating: 4
vanished is kick ass... even with the gay vocals. i really enjoy this, and im not one to usually like this music.
on another note. alice glass is extremely hot in a "looks like she could be a heroin addict, but ill still let her do whatever she wants to me" sorta way.
Digging: Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt II | | | Album Rating: 2.5
Dudes are too weird for me. And they don't bring anything eye-popping to the table. The vocals are also pretty bad. But it does have it ups, I like Crimewave.
Digging: Team Teamwork - The Ocarina of Rhyme | | |
Vanished is fucking amazing
Digging: Mos Def - The New Danger
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
"I expected these guys to sound like I Am Spoonbender based on the review, but this album is a lot more dancable. I like it though."
yeah, nothing like I Am Spoonbender at all. C.C. aren't even close to being in the same league. IAS use huge, expensive analogue synths from the 70's, PLAY their instruments (as opposed to programming), and have nothing to do with with video games or dancing, etc. C.C. are very 1-dimensional, and IAS certainly exist in at least 5 dimensions!
Digging: Harmonia - Musik von Harmonia | | |
Experimental techno? Congratulations, you are a fucking idiot.
Band is a fad and a sham, fans need to stfu and listen to Rex The Dog instead.
Digging: Sylosis - Conclusion Of An Age
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