
Any band that got their name from She-Ra's fortress in the sky can’t be all bad. And while Crystal Castles' new album sounds like (in no particular order) sheep being sheared, ghosts on acid, creaky swings and underwater opera, there is plenty to enjoy. Fainting Spells is hypnotic and haunting; Baptism is defnitely representative of the output of the 90’s club scene - for better or worse. The album was recorded in a convinience store in Michigan and an Icelandic church, and got to number one of electronic music charts without any label promotion at all. It would appear the band’s lo fi approach and unwillingness to confirm to the norm, both sonically and in their methods, seems to be paying off! A suprisingly accesible album - which contains a lighter a sense of asphixiation than displayed on their debut; but still smacks just as much emotional depth.
