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It’s 9pm on a Manchester Tuesday and the sparse crowd gathered at the SoundControl venue reflects this somewhat. However, that’s not to say openers Sonic Waves don’t try; transforming from pleasantly competent non-entities to increasingly effective Americana inflected rockers as their set progresses. Their closing song Flipper seems to best realize their potential as Black Crowes esque riffing plays nicely off split vocal howling.
Next up are Planet whose instrumental musings recall, initially, a somewhat doomy oppressive soundscape such as might be appropriate for an 80s cartoon baddie, the merits of this are left the individual reader. A loop pedal is deployed throughout the set giving the band a larger sound than you’d normally expect of a three piece but, although solidly punctuated by the drums, there aren’t quite enough ideas to justify the length of the songs.
After a slight delay Crystal Antlers finally take to the stage; the energized opener shakes the crowd out of its slumber like one of those prats mucking around with an I-Phone. Singer Johnny Bell affects a typical Californian, nasal whine which seems almost diametrically opposed to the ethereal sounding synths that float, almost theramin like, through most of the set.
Songs are bashed out without fanfare or aplomb from the band (one concession Bell makes is to offer food to the audience at the front of the stage…) who focus instead on their twin muses; pirate shanties (recalling none other than The Coral at their most psychedelic, if the Coral went for volume over harmonies) and punchy power chords. Yes, power chords are one of the muses. The heavy drum accenting punctuate the guitars throughout all the songs which eventually seems somewhat akin to being tapped repeatedly on the forehead by a well meaning, hirsute musician. The pop dynamics in this respect seems very close to fellow Californian alumni the Flaming Lips, Soft Bulletin era.
So, it’s safe to say the Crystal Antlers have hit on a formula that works; the alternatively bouncy and punchy sound segues song after song nicely. Though it does make standout tracks a little hard to pinpoint. That said, while moments of levity are hard to find it’s hard not to be enthused throughout the set especially after observing percussionist Damian Edwards, never have I seen a man more endeared to his role on this earth. TAGS: Crystal Antlers, Sound Waves, Planet, Sound Control Words by: Daniel Burt Links:
Crystal Antlers - Myspace
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