To otherworldly songs such as “Frail” and “Chloroform” that convey a gauzy distorted feel.
The songs on the release veer from all out fierce confrontational dance tracks like Fleece, a song that reminds me of the kind of music that used to play in cutting edge shops like Zipperhead on South Street in Philadelphia back in my salad days. The song also leaves no doubts that Frances can more than fill Alice Glass’s shoes. Characteristic of the release is the kickoff track Femen which unfolds like an ethereal flower in the intro and then kicks into high gear with hypnotic and mesmerizing digital goodness. The album is compelling, uncompromising and yet tethered to the ground. It is filled with the same ferocious, breathless sonic soundscape, warped glitches and bruising bombast that have made the band unique. The album displays the same elements that drew their fans in the first place. “Amnesty” turns the page for Crystal Castles in the personnel department allowing the creation to move forward. Frances’ first live outing on Novemat Soundswild Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa lay to rest many concerns about her ability to front the band. Could the new configuration match the quality of their prior works? The release of the first singles Frail and Femen with new vocalist Edith Frances sounded promising.
Many held their breath waiting to see what would result when Kath announced that he was continuing the duo with a replacement vocalist. With Glass’s announced departure critics and fans believed the entity of Crystal Castles would come to an abrupt end. “III” would score a number 1 on Tumblr and Hype Machine sites that year and the number 4 spot on the 2013 NME’s Album of the Year list. Even more compelling was their 2013 release “III” which contained the duet with Robert Smith from The Cure for the song Not In Love. Their eponymous debut was considered by NME to be a noteworthy entrant at #39 in the top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade. Alice Glass was the fronts woman, public face and vocalist for the pair. Ethan Kath has from the beginning has been the creative spark for the sound, songwriting and production of the band. Since that time they have delivered a steady stream of engaging experimental electronica over their three prior releases. The original iconoclastic duo formed in Toronto, Ontario in 2003. It also marks the return for Crystal Castles from the longest break between their recordings. “Amnesty” makes a strong case for the band’s continued existence. “Amnesty” is the follow up to the critically acclaimed 2012 III. The result is Crystal Castles’ fourth release, Amnesty which hits the usual outlets on August 19. The announcement seemed to indicate that the entity would unfortunately fall victim to the growing pains that frequently assail bands of their caliber.Įthan Kath the other half of the duo and musical maestro, instead of throwing in the towel recruited a new partner Edith Frances to replace Glass and continue the musical pairing. Crystal Castles are known for their visceral, melancholy productions and chaotic live shows with Glass being the public focal point. Glass who was one half of the band core announced her exit from the duo in Oct 2014. Darkwave darlings Crystal Castles continued existence was brought into peril with the departure of lead singer Alice Glass.
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