If Sonic Youth, The Doors, and Black Flag had a baby, this would be it.
Not to sound like one of those "you don't know my favorite band because they don't exist yet" indie elitists, but Crystal Antler's debut EP has been their best effort yet. Everything else was slightly disappointing since. However, Crystal Antlers is also one of the unluckiest bands of the last couple of years (right after they're debut album, Tentacles, came out, their record label downsized and with it went they're record deal, and they were also stuck with some pretty crappy tour line-ups), therefore we shall cut them some slack, and even give them kudos for pulling Two Way Mirror together all on their own.
As for the music, Two Way Mirror opens with ‘Jules Story’ exuding tons energy, and by energy I mean a freaking nuclear explosion of the senses. ‘Séance’ follows with a a circus-ground keyboard riff, creating a waltz like tirade. As the album continues the tracks turn into hits or misses. It's an overall good effort but it feels like certain elements are missing and at times it even comes off as a little over-bearing. The melodies are there, but only hinted at rather than given full priority, making Bell’s screamed delivery occasionally hard to take.
However, if there are two tracks you have to listen to it's ‘Dog Days’, and ‘Summer Solstice". It feels as if the band are in full control, knowingly swaying between their signature jolting, yelping jams and the more flowing moments that offer depth to the sound.
Check them out below
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