Crystal Stilts - Alight Of Night

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5...according to our Brian on Thu 12 Feb, 2009.

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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Its no secret that Brooklyn is home to mighty happening music, but few bands have as unique a vibe and presence as Crystal Stilts. Formed in 2003 by Brad Hargett and JB Townsend, the band quickly recorded their debut single, Shattered Shine, with Sean Mafucci (Gang Gang Dance, Kid Congo Powers). The combination of Hargetts deep and mysterious vocals and Townsends classicist garagey twang struck an immediate chord with New Yorks music lovers, and 2005 and 2006 saw the band play with everyone from Blood On The Wall and caUSE co-MOTION! to The Long Blondes and 1990s, culminating in the addition of organ player Kyle Forrester (Ladybug Transistor) and the recording of a four-song EP. 2007 and 2008 were busy for Crystal Stilts as well, with the band rounding out their line-up with bassist Andy Adler (The Ninjas) and drummer extraordinaire Frankie Rose (Vivian Girls), and playing a string of insane shows with the likes of The Clean and The Vaselines. Recently, Brooklyns Woodsist label reissued the bands single and EP to acclaim from Pitchfork and Stereogum. Along the way, theyve been working on the tracks for their eagerly anticipated debut album, taking time to ensure that each tune contributes just the right amount to the whole, a perfect album which realizes their distinctive music vision. Alight of Night delivers on the promise of those early singles. There is an unmistakable flavor of The Velvet Underground to be had, but Crystal Stilts spectral avant-garage also references the spooked 60s Texas psych of The 13th Floor Elevators and Red Crayola, the gothic blues/punk howl of The Gun Club, the dark, experimental DIYism of early Flying Nun/Xpressway groups Pin Group and Plagal Grind, and a post-punk minimalism that brings to mind early Rough Trade and Factory releases. A strong pop element brings to mind the buzzsaw bubblegum of early Jesus and Mary Chain B-sides and Meat Whiplash. These are all just rough points of reference, though. From the twang n echo of Crystal Stiltsto the primal pop stomp of Prismatic Roomand the lovely jangle of Shattered Shine,the band adds something extra and unique to the mix, whether its a fleeting dash of harmonica, a hypnotic organ line, or simply an amazing guitar sound. A unity of purpose is at work here, a special mood conjured by the sounds, production and sequence of songs that lifts Alight of Night into the realm of the classics and reveals new twists and turns on each listen.

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