Crystal Castles
Crystal Castles


2.5
average

Review

by Zebra USER (177 Reviews)
August 8th, 2008 | 158 replies


Release Date: 2008 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Simple, catchy synth-pop that brings back memories of the Super Nintendo.

Featuring vocalist Alice Glass and multi-instrumentalist Ethan Fawn, Crystal Castles really made a name for themselves with their self-titled sophomore release. Sporting seventeen full length tracks spanning over an hour long “Crystal Castles” is like a party that never comes to an end.

Right out of the gate “Crystal Castles” reminds me of a soundtrack for a cheap, old school NES game. Nearly every track on the album is littered with polished keyboard buzzes and retro samples. “Crimewave” and “Knights” consist of simple, catchy beats backed by lively video game sounds. Vocalist Alice Glass adds a hypnotic feel to the music whether she is harshly shouting or merely speaking over the nintendo-core madness.

Listening to “Crystal Castles” in one sitting is a challenge. Although the intensity of the keyboard induced madness is catchy it gets tiresome. Towards the end of the album every track starts to blend together; songs such as “Reckless” and “Vanishing” just become monotonous with their generic melodies and harsh sampling. At times things just get ridiculous, the high-pitched beeping noises and shouting on “Loving and Caring” is a cluster*** of violent sounds that is anything but danceable.

It’s no doubt that “Crystal Castles” is an enjoyable listen yet it loses its replay value quickly. The upbeat yet intense atmosphere of the music can be catchy and groovy but the album recycles the same sound over and over again until it is drilled into your brain. The dissonant Nintendo-esque effects are charming at first but wear off as the album moves along. In the end “Crystal Castles” is definitely a fun listen just don’t expect something highly experimental or interesting.



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user ratings (1037)
3.6
great
other reviews of this album
VikkiH (4)
Some of the most experimental music that we've heard for a while, who would have thought people woul...

jtswope (3.5)
Crystal Castles eponymous debut is enjoyable, nostalgic, and stimulating with plenty of thrills wait...

Vixenbergen (4)
If there was ever a term such as experimental techno, this would be the time to use it....



Comments:Add a Comment 
FooFighters123
August 8th 2008


73 Comments


Great review.

IsItLuck?
Emeritus
August 8th 2008


4958 Comments


You're either missing a track on the tracklist or it's sixteen full length tracks

“Crimewave” and “Knights” consist of simple, catchy beats backed by lively video game sounds resulting in repetitive yet catchy music

do you ever read your reviews before you post them?

The Jungler
August 8th 2008


4826 Comments


i like the small doses of this band i've heard, but i can't really imagine listening to an hour plus of it. they are really hyped up though, i guess.
good review.

parvenu
August 8th 2008


19 Comments


catchy review

The Jungler
August 8th 2008


4826 Comments


also, this is the correct artwork:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61CVqsn9UQL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

brandtweathers
August 8th 2008


2006 Comments


i was wondering when this would be covered. i think your summation is spot on. kudos

Electric City
August 8th 2008


15756 Comments


clusterfuck is a great word

Goku
August 8th 2008


253 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Perfectly written to my opinion.

VikkiH
August 8th 2008


248 Comments


Good review. I like the album alot though although I can see where you're coming from completely.

clonegreen
August 9th 2008


16 Comments


You caught my sentiments exactly.

I really enjoy this bands music but in low doses.

Tyler
Emeritus
August 9th 2008


7927 Comments


Prototypical hipster doofus music.

P13
August 9th 2008


1327 Comments


sounds like something you would have on shuffle but skip after the second time it came on

Doppelganger
August 9th 2008


3124 Comments


nice soundoff

Shadowskos
August 9th 2008


352 Comments


This band gets way too much hype from where I'm from.

HighandDriving
August 9th 2008


3288 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I'm liking this.

brandtweathers
August 9th 2008


2006 Comments


^lol

McP3000
August 11th 2008


4121 Comments


review didnt sit with me well for some reason. This Message Edited On 08.11.08

ValentinSelezynov
August 12th 2008


10 Comments


The album is as interesting as the bands interview manner.
I like how the guy refuses to answer questions about how he stole the atari chipped keyboards idea.

HighandDriving
August 13th 2008


3288 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

How did he steal it?

shortz
August 15th 2008


201 Comments


Tried getting into these guys, as much as I enjoy the old school Nintendo and SNES sounds, I find it's too spaz-tasic for me.



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