We’ve always been fans of Daytrotter here at eMusic HQ. They sit Seriously Big Names next to some zero-profile up and comers and let us, the dutiful listeners, sort ‘em out. I’m just waiting for Breathe Owl Breathe to get in on this party; they were born for this format — bands playing intimate, homespun versions of fan favorites (and almost always something exclusive) that puts more emphasis on charm and delivery than bells and whistles.
Obviously, we’re also big fans of the Crystal Stilts. They have such a gauzy, encompassing sound (especially live) that I never know what to expect from live or live-taped performances. When I found this Daytrotter session, my reaction was more cautious optimism than OMG YAY WOW. Caution be damned, though, ’cause this is fantastic — OMG-worthy, even.
The two unreleased songs are distinct treats: “Through the Floor”’s shimmy-shake is as immediately catchy as anything the Stilts have recorded (JB’s on-the-spot pseudo-description: “Doo Woppabilly. Fuzzabilly-Wop? C81abilly?”) and the mesmerizing surf-drone of “Sycamore Tree” is a welcome curveball. The reworked tracks from Alight of Night are big and bright-sounding, also giving the band a chance to show off some more of that knee-slapping charm:
On “Shattered Shine”: One of our first “pop” songs.
On “The Dazzled”: This song, when I think of the time that we wrote it, musically represents disease.
Fun! Really, though… this is great. And the price is right ($0.00). Go get it!
Somewhere Bob Dylan is missing a 1965 outfit.
I was thinking more along the lines of Sterling Morrison and John Cale circa ‘66.
hey, yancey- sorry this is off topic, but is emusic getting the new album by Joyce – “Visions of Dawn”? and if so, when? thanks!
ps- the joyce album is on Far Out Recordings, which is a label emusic carries…