Yes their 'Alight of Night' LP has been pressed up over here by UK post punk revivalist label Angular and aye, it's a complete grower of the highest order indeed. Crystal Stilts are a slowly expanding NY unit. A lot has been made of their sound, from people enthralled by the snaky, smoky garage sound they employ to the blurred, disembodied / monotone vocals which have seemingly polarized opinion. They've definitely warmed my heart as they appear to be mining a rather esoteric vein of 80's underground NZ indie rock, splicing it with subtle hues of JAMC/VU & spooky 60s garage to define their own haunting, wistful take on proceedings. Shimmering, raw guitars, rudimentary Mo Tucker-esque drum patterns, understated bass thrums and these melancholy feral organ lines that just wallow in your mind like spectral waifs of sound. The thing I love most about this band is they're not plowing the obvious path. The songs are cloaked in a shroud of ghostly, sad reverb, the textures muddied on 1st hearing, only to blossom on repeated listen as brittle chord changes have your eyes welling up, shards of layered, rattling sound that profoundly affects me again & again. Truly, their songs often remind me of some of The Clean's early wares but I'm strongly reminded of London's legendary Flaming Stars, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Martin Bramah's Blue Orchids, Spacemen 3 & Clinic too, all hugely stubborn, individualistic bands who've always stuck to their own agenda, Crystal Stilts deserve your love, a trans-atlantic blast from the past, a sweet breath of fresh air. It's an old cliche but PLAY LOUD!
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Sound clips for Alight Of Night by Crystal Stilts: on CD at Norman Records UK. CD, Angular, ARC044CD , £10.79.
· ‘Alight Of Night’ is the stunningly atmospheric debut album from a band that has already gained a reputation and significant following all over the world. · Whilst the airwaves have been filled with the onslaught of Brooklyn's psychedelic scene for the past year or so, Crystal Stilts embody a wholly different and darker sphere. Having recruited Vivian Girls founder member Frankie Rose on drums, the album is the carefully crafted culmination of several years of work for the band. · The band have fans at Radio 1 including Lamacq (tips for 2009) and Rob Da Bank, XFM with John Kennedy, and significant support at 6 Music from Nemone, Lauren Laverne and Marc Riley. · Musically, they have been likened to The Chills, The Bats, The Clean, The Velvet Underground, the gothic howl of psychobilly pioneers The Gun Club and of course the garage pop sensibilities of Jesus and The Mary Chain. · Subtle flourishes accompany each and every track, which all goes towards crafting the atmospheric and moody body of work that is ‘Alight of Night’ · Available on CD, download and on limited LP (500 copies), with reverse board print and a code to download exclusive new tracks.
The Dazzled * Crystal Stilts * Graveyard Orbit * Prismatic Room * The Sinking * Departure * Shattered Shine * Verdant Gaze * Bright Night * Spiral Transit * The City In The Sea
Other items by Crystal Stilts
Alight Of Night Crystal Stilts LP (vinyl), £14.89 Sorry - sold out.
