Track Listing

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45723 in Music
• Released on: 2008-10-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .17 pounds

Album 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

At last!
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.

Crystal Stilts "Alight of night"
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.

Listen to the Jesus and Mary Chain instead.
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...