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Crystal SkullsBlocked Numbers Suicide Squeeze/UMA I can't tell you much about Crystal Skulls, apart from the obvious. From their album's cover, I can deduce that they like the colour pink, and presumably they grew up on computer games in an era before graphics cards, surround sound, and well, more than eight colours at a time. Musically, they're a psychedelia-infused pop band with a bit of funk thrown in. Not your thing? Doesn't sound like mine, either. And for the most part, 'Blocked Numbers' really isn't my thing; and for the most part, 'Blocked Numbers' really isn't that good. Having said that, I must also add two things - this record sounds fantastic, which is quite a credit to the band, given that it was self-produced and self-engineered. Also, this band is incredibly interesting. Of course, interesting doesn't necessarily equate with good. But from a purely musical perspective, the instrumentation is often unpredictable, ranging from simple guitar lines to low-fi electronica, and these guys have come up with some of the most bizarre chords (and chord changes) that I've ever heard in my life. Taken simply as a case study in alternative songwriting, 'Blocked Numbers' could constitute an entire course in musical theory. The vocals are unusual (and greatly engrossing), and the lyrics are, while not terribly subtle, something of a joy to listen to. So there you have it. This is not the kind of record I'm going to play for my unsuspecting friends. But I must say that in the short time I've had it, it has found a place in my heart - Beat Me To It, for example, has a chorus I'm never likely to forget - and it's not a record I'm going to let go of. At least, not yet.  |
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