Customer Reviews

Ep [Vinyl]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

By all reports an exciting live band, Crystal Antlers may falter a bit on record. The Blue Cheer/Les Savy Fav comparisons leveled by reviewers from Amazon to Pitchfork suggest a mind-melting pot of psych influences boiling over with post-punk -- and without a doubt there is no fear of volume, distortion, or noise freakouts here. Comparisons conjured in my mind, however, are Hawkwind and early Monster Magnet (think the "25......Tab" EP).

What the Crystal Antlers' EP lacks is adequate breathing space, either in the mix or in the delivery. I'd like to see the singer (especially) and the drummer express more dynamic range. Upon first listen, it seems like one long muddy jam, and only later do the songs really emerge on their own. There's promise shown here, but it needs to develop. I'm more than willing to consume my new artists raw and go out on a limb to hear something new, so I'm not entirely put off by uniformly loud textures, but I feel a lot of the reviews of the "best new artist" variety are overstated. This has been done before, and although it's a committed genre pastiche by (apparently) true believers of the scorched-by-the-stars variety, I wish it would simmer a bit in spots instead of constantly boiling.

I'm a long time fan of Crystal Antlers. Enough to have them play my first show back in 2007. When they play, you feel it. They have a 60's / early 70's influence to their sound (Think Blue Cheer with the energy of Mahavishnu Orchestra) but sound so fresh. I can't wait for full length.

The Crystal Antlers' EP is a breath of fresh air that smashes your head (in a good way). Unlike nicey "college rock" bands, this Long Beach, Calif.-based group isn't afraid to cross sub-genres and make good, melodic and rockin' music. I can't wait for an upcoming full-length and recommend everyone into "indie" music, rock, or anything else to pick this up. It's the best debut of the year, at least.