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 Post subject: Crystal Stilts - Alight Of Night (2008)
PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:02 pm 
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Natural Harvester
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Yes, I am liking these cats for reaaaallz.

I love how thick the bass is, and the loose playing, droney vocals.

Crystal Stilts - Alight Of Night - 2008

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01. The Dazzled
02. Crystal Stilts
03. Graveyard Orbit
04. Prismatic Room
05. The SinKing
06. Departure
07. Shattered Shine
08. Verdant Gaze
09. Bright Night
10. Spiral Transit
11. The City In the Sea

It's 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 Hargett's deep and mysterious vocals and Townsend's classicist garagey twang struck an immediate chord with New York's 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, Brooklyn's Woodsist label reissued the band's single and EP to acclaim from Pitchfork and Stereogum. Along the way, they've 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 Stilts" to the primal pop stomp of "Prismatic Room" and the lovely jangle of "Shattered Shine," the band adds something extra and unique to the mix, whether it's 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.


Last edited by Dalen on Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:04 pm 
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pass?


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:08 pm 
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British Press Hype
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first crystal castles. then crystal antlers. now crystal stilts.
looks like crystal is the new wolf.


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PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:09 pm 
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Thanks, Dalen. I picked up Shattered Shine on a blog the other day and have been really enjoying it. Eager to hear the whole album.

And Barker, I thought the same thing when I saw the band name.

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PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:15 pm 
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British Press Hype
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Location: poutine beer hockey eh! etc.
Actually, my band is in the middle of a name change. Maybe something with crystal is in order???

Crystal Balls?
Crystal Ham?
Crystal Dog?
Crystal Tits?...


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PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:15 pm 
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i'll check this out.

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PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:15 pm 
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It's a good album...I've been listening to it everyday for the last week.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:19 pm 
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barker Wrote:
Actually, my band is in the middle of a name change. Maybe something with crystal is in order???

Crystal Balls?
Crystal Ham?
Crystal Dog?
Crystal Tits?...


Amber Dong

Chuh-ching!


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PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:19 pm 
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Go Platinum
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crystal shits.

of course the name is overdone...that's why its in the blog name

the super black crystal death vampire wolf fuck.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:19 pm 
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frostingspoon
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RIYL - a Brooklyn-indie attempt at making the vocals sound like Morrissey drowned in shoddily imitated Martin Hannett-style cavern production with 60s pop/JAMC drumming and The National's "mood".


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:28 pm 
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Natural Harvester
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discostu Wrote:
RIYL - a Brooklyn-indie attempt at making the vocals sound like Morrissey drowned in shoddily imitated Martin Hannett-style cavern production with 60s pop/JAMC drumming and The National's "mood".


i guess you don't realize how far off you are.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:36 pm 
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frostingspoon
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Dalen Wrote:
discostu Wrote:
RIYL - a Brooklyn-indie attempt at making the vocals sound like Morrissey drowned in shoddily imitated Martin Hannett-style cavern production with 60s pop/JAMC drumming and The National's "mood".


i guess you don't realize how far off you are.


Eh, you're probably right since I can't hear the vocals under the shitty production.


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:44 pm 
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this was fucking awful. the singer sounds like he's joyless.

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