PRICE:
$13.00
IN STOCK
ARTIST
TITLE
Crystallized
FORMAT
CD

LABEL
CATALOG #
ARENA 026CD ARENA 026CD
GENRE
RELEASE DATE
4/27/2009

"Outstanding new album from Sinner DC which ranks right up there with such like-minded souls as Gui Boratto/The Field/M83/Ulrich Schnauss. The opening bars of 'Go for the Stream' set the tone perfectly for the 9 tracks that are to follow on Crystallized. This is their second full length outing on Ai, and a perfect opener for Ai's 10th anniversary year. 'Anyway' is the album's second cut and as with 'Go for the Stream' it lets the listener bask in the mournful beauty of the many textures on offer and builds up the anticipation for the energetic explosion that must surely follow. Sounding not unlike a digital version of Mogwai, 'Golden Horses' builds upon its sparse beginnings and steadily introduces synthesized strings, haunting wails and a variety of background effects to end up with a track that doesn't so much evolve but rather throbs with energy as it moves along its trajectory. The midpoint of the album is now upon us and its time for a gentle breather with 'V,' an almost beatless number where the subtle percussion plays only a supporting role to the soaring synths that whisk the listener away to a place of tranquility. This leads us into 'Sunrized,' a track where the title perfectly describes the thoughts invoked as the sounds emanate from the speakers. 'Glass Alley' is a slightly more upbeat 'pop' affair that perfectly balances the warm electronics, soaring strings and soft vocal touches that are so key to their appeal. The vocals are present again on 'Digital Dust,' a track that will appeal to fans of the likes of M83 and Ulrich Schnauss where playful percussion, distant vocals and rich textures are the order of the day. 'Coast' is the album's final cut and this time things are of a techno aesthetic, albeit downbeat in nature and containing the brief presence of an ethereal vocal. As with all of the work, the atmospherics are once again the key and despite the cold reverb used to create space and depth, warm synths and distorted guitars are also in use, resulting yet again in a perfectly balanced composition that will delight your senses and leave you hungry for more as the album fades to a close."