The first time my ears were turned towards Crystal Antlers initial EP, I was landmined.  Thrown in the air, legs-a-flailing, the thought of what might come next racing through my mind.  It was rock-and-roll, pushed to eleven, clouded in a haze of weed and booze, and then fine tuned for maximum aural carnage.  I, was, rocked.  When Tentacles, their longer follow-up dropped, I was less so.  In long-player form, I found their West Coast assault a little much, and I found myself cherry-picking the good tracks and then returning to the EP I loved so much.

Thus, this, this softer, subtler bit of almost pop, throws me a bit, but in to the strike-zone.  It still features Jonny Bells strangled holler, but the raging guitar licks and propulsive drummer have stepped to the side.  “Little Sister” is a slow-jam, in regards to the Crystal Antler collection, and I can’t say it drags me down the street like before, but it certainly has me curious.

There releasing “Little Sister” on a 7″ with the b-side “Dead Horses” right HERE.

Crystal Antlers - Little Sister

Nick of Elvis Perkins in Dearland ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

I have to say,  with such a vibrant year of local music, I spent the vast majority of my 2009 exploring things made in the Pacific Northwest; rather than venturing out in to the vastness of the internets and the rest of America. So most of these are pretty well known tracks, albums, and artists or from Noah’s Daily Choices — though I do hope you discover a new favorite you hadn’t heard before too.  These are the records and tracks recorded outside of the 206 that I most enjoyed and listened to on repeat in 2009.  (The top 10 may be in some sort of hierachal order, but after that the order is not nearly as thought out or meaningful.) 

“Much More Than That” and “For You” by Sharon Van Etten | download ‘For You’ |
“Blood Bank” by Bon Iver | download ‘Blood Bank’ |
“Airplanes” by Local Natives  | download ‘Airplanes’ |
“Two Weeks” by Grizzly Bear | listen to “Two Weeks” |
“Eet” by Regina Spektor | watch video |
“Shampoo” by Elvis Perkins in Dearland | download ‘Shampoo’|
“A Violent Translation of Concorida Headscarp” by Emperor X | download track |
“Andrew” by Crystal Antlers | download ‘Andrew’ |
“Kick Drum Heart” by The Avett Brothers | listen to track |
“Lust for Life” (though “Laura” is also tempting me) by Girls | download ‘Lust for Life’ |

Girls at Capitol Hill Block Party ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

“Garble Arch” by Blame Ringo | watch video |
“The Walls are Coming Down” by Fanfarlo | listen to track |
“Flirted With You All My Life” by Vic Chesnutt | download track |
“The Ballad of the RAA” by Rural Alberta Advantage |listen to track |
“Safe Word” by Vampire Hands | download ‘Safe Word’ |
“Future Primative” by Papercuts | download ‘Future Primative’ |
“Tidal Wave” by Thee Oh Sees | download ‘Tidal Wave’ |
 ”Crystalised” by The xx | listen to track |
“Lisztomania” by Phoenix | watch videos |
“Norway” by Beach House  | download ‘Norway’ | 
“Vanderlylle Cry Baby” by The National | listen to track |
“Can’t Talk” by Ty Segall | download “Can’t Talk” |
“Day of Sunshine” by Lee & Willbee | listen to track |
“Summertime Clothes” by Animal Collective | listen to track |
“Save The Day” by Huck Notari 

Last time Crystal Antlers swung through town they were in a supporting slot for the Cold War Kids at the Showbox, and it was an impressive introduction. Tonight they’ll be hitting the local DIY scene and headlining a show at the Black Lodge, before heading to Iceland for the Airwaves Festival on Friday. They’re hardly the only notable band on the bill at this show though, as they’ll be joined by (formerly of the Cops) Mike Jaworski’s new band Virgin Islands, and (formerly of the Snakebites) drummer Starr Harris’ dirty rock project Watch it Sparkle. “My Baby Has a Red Tooth” from the still in production album Leave Me to Dream is my kind of garage punk:

Stream: “My Baby Has a Red Tooth” by Watch it Sparkle

The show is all ages, and you can find location details via one of the band’s myspace pages.

Cold War Kids ::: Photo by Josh

I’ll be honest. I’d pretty much written off Cold War Kids. Their latest album left me lukewarm, and their performance at Sasquatch last year also lukewarm. Since that time I’ve hardly thought about them other than to post a new video or two. Fast forward to yesterday, when the stars aligned and a photo pass was kindly arranged for me by Dagmar of BackBeat Seattle. It was the first show of a short west coast diversion from their April supporting slots with Death Cab For Cutie, where, as the headliner, the band handily proved once again that they are still one of the most compelling live bands around.

Fellow Southern Californian’s Crystal Antlers were supporting the Kids for this diversion, and color me impressed with them as well. Occasional psychedelic instrumental detours thankfully remained short and focused, while lead singer and bassist Jonny Bell had a whole lot more soul and strength to his voice than I expected. A varied and active set list kept me interested the whole time. Not really being too familiar with their material, I’ll just say that I’m now resolved to remedy that unfortunate situation.

Much of my early experience with the Cold War Kids was built around under-attended shows at the old Crocodile back in 2006, and a tiny SXSW backyard show in 2007. I was able to be up close and experience the band in a contained setting, feel the heavy bass drum thump on my chest, occasionally evade wildly swinging guitar necks at the edge of the stage, and feel the exhilaration of cowering under the direct stare-down of bassist Matt Maust. A Cold War Kids show wasn’t simply about going and watching and listening, it was about catharsis.

Needless to say, a main-stage set at the Gorge makes that sort of intimate and affecting experience difficult, and I felt disappointed for all of the people who from now on weren’t going to be able to have that chance since the band was growing out of smaller clubs and into arenas. In the confines of a venue such as the Showbox though, with frontman Nathan Willet’s son-of-a-preacher-man voice thick and booming in the mix, and guitarist Johnny Russell’s hollow-body tone echoing off of the walls, this is where this dynamic band can shine the best I think.

The Kids per usual said little, but not per usual, seemed visibly happy to be up there. Most likely contributing directly to that was a horde of devoted all-agers who sang practically the entirety “Hospital Beds” for Willett. (In addition they made my taking a picture a little bit more difficult by effectively shutting me out of the front row. And I got there 20 minutes before Crystal Antlers even started. Sheesh.) The newer songs were more affecting live and in a room instead of at the Gorge; the details that were lost to me in the wind last time, re-lit the spark of interest in the band in me this time. I wasn’t even sad that they hardly played any old songs the newest songs sounded that good.

After another headlining gig at the Doug Fir tonight (already sold out), the Cold War Kids are back on tour through the rest of April with Death Cab again starting tomorrow in Spokane at Gonzaga University.

Cold War Kids ::: Photo by Josh

Cold War Kids ::: Photo by Josh

Crystal Antlers ::: Photo by Josh

I’ve never posted a second song by a band before.  I’ve never found a second single in my brief time here at Sound on the Sound that riled my music lust enough that I found that I should comment again.  Today though, Crystal Antlers have broken me.

This means one of two things: my brain, racked with senility has finally given up and I’m just rehashing the few band names I can pull from the soggy grey pile of ooze that used to be my mind.  Or two, this song is a dirty little piece of garage heaven and I just couldn’t wait to throw it your way.

I’m claiming the latter, but lord knows the state of my brain these days.

Crystal Antlers - Andrew

Crystal Antlers on Myspace

You know, I’m pretty sure that I’m coming in almost dead last on recognizing just how amazing Crystal Antlers are.  I’ve been doing a bit of research on this ball of psych-noise-guitar-riffing madness and have found more information about an upcoming full length, than the EP I’m dredging this track from.  Nonetheless, my good friend Whiskey Pete played this for me a few drunken weekends a go, and I actually believe the left side of my brain melted a bit.  Since hearing this track, it’s been difficult for me to throw with my left hand, my left eye has been wetly blinking, and words starting with ‘z’ and ‘q’ are slurred and drooly.

Crystal Antlers I blame you.

What I’m try to get at here is that this song is a mind fuck.  A blast of concentrated distortion fueled psychedelia that will leave you slack jawed, pawing blindly in the searing brightness of rock and roll.

Crystal Antlers are coming to Seattle, soon, but sadly as an opening act for careening dick smacks Cold War Kids.  This does not make me happy.

Crystal Antlers - Until The Sun Dies (Part 2)

Crystal Antlers on Myspace