Alight of Night

Crystal Stilts

Product Details

• Vinyl (October 28, 2008)
• Original Release Date: October 28, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Slumberland Records
• ASIN: B001G1FLKG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,419 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

1. Dazzled

2. Crystal Stilts

3. Graveyard Orbit

4. Prismatic Room

5. Sinking

6. Departure

7. Shattered Shine

8. Verdant Gaze

9. Bright Night

10. Spiral Transit

11. City in the Sea

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At last!, November 13, 2008

By	fishanthrope "Philip Welsh" (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alight of Night (Audio CD)

This is arty, faux-low-fi skronk goodness, impressionistic indie rock of a stripe barely heard since the mid/late 1980s. The endlessly repeated Jesus and Mary Chain / Flying Nun (label) comparisons are apt, if only because there's been so little music like this released in recent years. My only wish is that the band would write more songs, because there are a few too many (unnecessary) remakes of songs from their earlier EPs on here -- but all in all, my fave debut album of 2008.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Crystal Stilts "Alight of night", May 14, 2009

By	nowaveshow "Jack Larson" (Noblesville, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alight of Night (Audio CD)

Crystal Stilts combine multiple influences from different eras/bands to form their own sound. There is a cross section of gloomy new wave from the early 80s (j&m joy divison), garage inspired proto punk from the late 60s and early 70s (velvet underground) and a slight dream pop guitar influence from the early 90s (black tambourine). All of these bands and eras play a distinct role in shaping Crystal Stilts's music. The lead vocalist seems to be defined by two groups: Joy Division and the lesser known Skywave. The cd starts with 6 brilliant songs out of the gate. The opener "the dazzled" sets a strong tone with a nice groove, and memorable vocals. Each of the first 6 songs demand your attention and have a certain energy to them thats hard to describe. The only problem is that from songs 7-11 it feels like the band released a parachute and drifted slowly towards the end of the cd. The second half of the album doesn't have the intensity or bite that the first half did. That doesn't mean that the later songs are unsatisfactory especially "the city in the sea" which gives the album a serene ending, it just illistrates how amazing the first 6 songs are. Overall the band does a great job of wielding their influences together to create an album thats worth owning.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Listen to the Jesus and Mary Chain instead., May 27, 2009

By	effigy1 (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alight of Night (Audio CD)

I was caught up in the hype over this band and unfortunately was sorely disappointed with this CD. The singer is AWFUL. It's probably the case that his off-key/detached moaning is considered to be cool or a key element of what's supposed to make this vampire mope-rock music "work", but he really sucks. The music is somewhat cool but is pretty rudimentary. They're sort of like a depressed Beat Happening or something (note: Beat Happening really blows). CS has been compared to early Jesus and Mary Chain by some critics, but this begs the question, "Why not just listen to the JAMC?" Do yourself a favor and pick up the JAMC's Psychocandy or Darklands instead. My 2 cents...