Crystal Castles (Dig)

Crystal Castles | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 18, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Last Gang Records
• ASIN: B0013KCCKC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,139 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #34 in Music > Indie Music > Dance & DJ > Electronica
  • #36 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Electronic Pop

Track Listings

1. Untrust Us

2. Alice Practice

3. Crimewave

4. Magic Spells

5. Xxzxcuzx Me

6. Air War

7. Courtship Dating

8. Good Time

9. 1991

10. Vanished

11. Knights

12. Love and Caring

13. Through the Hosiery

14. Reckless

15. Black Panther

16. Tell Me What to Swallow

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Electronic music is constantly ready to evolve, a point Crystal Castles seem determined to prove on their self-titled debut. They come from a heavily retro/electro place in the spectrum, wallowing in bits of debris from the ‘80s: video game bleeps and pixilated sounds found deep in the Casio archive. But it’s all twisted up, prodded past redundancy or homage to a state that feels genuinely innovative. How do they manage this? Part of the answer is in Alice Glass’s vocals, which are endlessly malleable; she can punk-scream her way through blizzards of squeaky noise ("Alice Practice," "Love and Caring") or get cute ("Good Time") without breaking character. But the real secrets to their reinvention, ironically enough, are in old-school details like melody, hooks and unpredictable, fun songwriting. All the boops, bleeps and whirs in the world can’t distract from the catchiness of songs like "Black Panther" and "Air War." Still, it must be said that listening to the record is vaguely unnerving at times; you feel a bit like Pac-Man stuck in his blocky maze. And yeah, some songs stretch invention into irritation (the unlistenable "Xxzxcuzx Me"). On the other hand, it never fails to be interesting and repeated listens smooth out the edges just enough to appreciate the band’s careful shading and confidence. So open your mind, enjoy the rampant creativity, and don’t eat the ghosts until they turn blue. –Matthew Cooke

Product Description

2008 debut album from the Toronto-based duo, who have amassed a cult following through their uncompromising and intense delivery, a slew of limited edition singles, and shows packed solely by word of mouth. Their vinyl singles have sold out instantly, they have toured extensively in the UK, Europe and North America with artists such as Metric and the Klaxons, and remixed songs for Bloc Party and the Klaxons among others. Substantial support from Pitchfork and the rest of the blogsphere with over 10,000 MySpace plays a day. Crystal Castles are making everyone's 'Band to Watch' list for 2008.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars More solid beats than experiments April 30, 2008

By Jason Harrington

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

- House drum patterns throughout
- Ranges from happy electro to punkish glitch to introspective house
- Strong 80's dance pulse
- Very pleasant form of bleep-bloop music w/o much ugly noise
- Like a more human / DIY version of The Knife
- Experimental compared to most indie-pop, but very poppy compared to most noise groups

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Atari 5200 on acid May 10, 2008

By Kikster

Format:MP3 Music

As a child of the 80s, much of this sound is eerily familiar to me. It's somehow refreshing even while the beats creep deeper into my skull. Part dance, part techno, part rave, part Atari 5200, with a bit of anime thrown in. It's difficult to put down, so I highly recommend.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent. May 12, 2008

By Brian Lange. VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

It's early, but I'm already going to claim this album of the year.

Since purchasing this record, I have not been able to put it down! Know that it is definitely not for everybody... some people won't be able to stand the weird assembly of glitchy atari sounds, but it is done in such a seamless way... and it becomes reminiscent of driving at night to some underground discotheque in Europe.

Ethan and Alice are the duo behind CC, and they do not disappoint. Alice's voice mimics that of "cute little girl tries to scream and sing on garage record (a la. CSS)" but I find her voice to be very appropriate, however it may be interpreted. Sometimes screaming, sometimes lulling... and the same goes for the music. Sometimes overwhelming, often soothing.

A definite buy.