New prog rock record tests limits
Crystal Antlers released “EP” independently a few months back to massive applause from indie critics around the country. Now that the CD has been picked up by Touch and Go Records the proverbial poo is going to hit the fan for these guys. The word must be spread, people. This band rules. Thoroughly.
They basically pour a 40oz. of the drug-fueled cold sweat of Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile” over a pile of ’90s post-hardcore spazz a la “At the Drive In” to serve up a sound that wallops and swoons all at once. It’s the sound of the blues getting dragged through the mud by a bunch of punks raised on ’60s psychedelic rock by their hippie parents.
“EP” is hazy, dirty and noisy as hell but the emphasis is on the mood rather than the butt kickery, allowing it to sink deeper into the listener’s consciousness than the average rock ‘n’ roll revival dance party record. The slower passages in “Until the Sun Dies (Part 2)” and “A Thousand Eyes” are haunting and beautiful, and though their primary function is to pave the way to the epic payoffs of those songs, they are two of the most moving moments on the CD.
Still, “EP” is first and foremost a rager, and it’s easy to get lost in the onslaught. On the first listen “EP” sounds like a raucous ode to the “Jesus and Mary Chain” on speed, which is awesome, but a decent pair of headphones reveals a web of fuzzed out guitars spitting waves of riffs over the ferocity of the rhythm section, while the organ holds down the central melody of each song.
The whole thing might have come off as a huge mess if it didn’t sound so effortless and natural.
The only drawback to “EP” is that there aren’t really any surprises. There are some great dynamic shifts from loud to quiet, fast to slow and so on, but they never stray far from their basic formula. There is something to be said for consistency but a little experimentation doesn’t hurt, especially when it concerns a band forging a new path in a style of music designed to challenge rock ‘n’ roll’s status quo.
That minor complaint aside, “EP” destroys. It’s solid and focused and definitely leaves me wanting more. I just hope that they give themselves a little more room to stretch out next time.
Troy Micheau can be reached at editor@nevadasagebrush.com.
Crystal Antlers EP
Release Date: Oct. 7
Genre: Progressive Rock, Experimental
Grade: A-
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on Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 at 12:03 am and is filed under Album Reviews, Arts & Entertainment, Vibe.
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