Ah yes, a MySpace Music feature. We haven’t had one of these in awhile. Tonight I’m listening to a group called Crystal Castles which I found ranked #10 among the unsigned “top artist” listings.

Listening to “Crimewave,” I’m not sure what I think. It’s not really what I expected from Thrash/Thrash/Thrash as their genre. This is definitely very 80s influenced stuff in a way but there’s also an influence from the more psychedelic electronic music of the 1990s. And I think there’s some other influences there that I’m not quite sure about.

“Courtship Dating” is an interesting track. In a way it’s what I was expecting from the second track (the repetitive, kind of unimaginative drums & bass) but in another way it’s nothing like I expected. It’s catchy and tripped out at the same time. When the electronic elements dropped out and it’s just the heavily reverbed vocals and guitar that’s where the song really takes off for me. I actually thought that was another song (and for all it seems to have with what came before it might as well be.) This is really spaced out beautiful stuff. I have to say I’m used used to hearing absolute crap on MySpace (see Hollywood Undead) that I was anticipating more crap but this band is pretty interesting so far (if not totally “my thing.”)

“Untrust Us” kind of kills the momentum of the last track for me. This one sounds a bit too “by the numbers” for me. Yes there’s some cool ideas here and I like the vocal effect although I’m worried it will wear thin if they use it as often on all of their songs as I’ve heard it so far.

“Alice Practice” this reminds me of Atari Teenage Riot. Definitely a left turn from the last track. I’m impressed by the variety of stuff they are doing. OK, I think this song is winning me over. The instrumental breaks are pretty damn bad ass actually. And her vocals really work in this style. So far I’ve actually been really impressed by 1 and a half of the four songs I’ve heard (the second half of “Courtship Dating” and all of this song, “Alice Practice.”

“Magic Spells” sounds inspired by Grandmaster Flash & Boards of Canada. OK, mostly Boards of Canada. And I think it’s pretty good but it doesn’t have quite the same mastery as Boards of Canada’s music does. That being said, it’s pretty good and I am impressed at once again being surprised by what the next track is bringing. At this point I don’t know what to expect from the last track, “Air War,” and that’s a pretty cool thing to pull off. With most bands (especially the cookie cutter bands that tend to make it to the top of the charts) it’s pretty easy to know what their next track is going to sound like after hearing the first 5. Not with this one.

“Air War” reminds me a bit of M.I.A. here on the intro. This stuff is actually pretty weird, I’m surprised it’s as popular as it is. Are the kids really this weird these days? God, I hope so. Kids do I have some magic dolphins for you. Stored right in your lunch boxes. Fish ‘N’ Chips.

Overall I give a thumbs up to Crystal Castles. I may even listen to this music again. Rarely can I say that about a band I find on MySpace.

Crystal Castles

Become A MusicByDay.com Music Blogger.