Cave Rave

Crystal Fighters

Released on 5/28/13 by Atlantic Records
Main artists: Crystal Fighters
Genre: Alternative & Indie

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Three years after Crystal Fighters issued their debut, Star of Love, a collision of eclectic, engaging, and occasionally unfocused sounds and ideas, the band returned with a streamlined sound and roster on Cave Rave. The trio of Sebastian Pringle, Gilbert Vierich, and Graham Dixon smooth away the rough edges of their debut on this set, crafting a sound that is more focused even as it incorporates not just Star of Love's Basque instrumentation but also Mexican and African elements into sunny, feel-good electro-pop that recalls Yeasayer and Friendly Fires. While the firecracker former vocalist Mimi Borelli is missed, this new sound is just as engaging in a different way, particularly on its vibrant singles. Even without the beachy sound effects, "Wave" would effortlessly conjure visions of summer and vacation, a feeling that extends to the tropical "You & I" and "LA Calling," which sounds a lot more exotic than the City of Angels usually does. All of these songs are a far cry from writing an album based on an unfinished opera written by one of the bandmembers' grandfathers, which Crystal Fighters did on Star of Love, and all of them share a similar rousing mood, whether they lean more toward bittersweet or joyous. Cave Rave is not for those who have even a slight curmudgeonly streak, as the band urges listeners to "feel love inside your heart forevermore" on "Separator" and to "party 'til dawn like a new millennium" on "No Man." At times, the album borders on overdone, as on "Bridge of Bones," a massive power ballad that even includes a gospel choir, but overall, these songs are a fine reintroduction to a band that has worked hard to emphasize its strengths and come up with new ones.

© Heather Phares /TiVo

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Cave Rave

Crystal Fighters

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Wave

00:03:30

Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Producer, Engineer, Programming & Keyboards - Chris Gehringer, Masterer - Patrick Warren, Piano - MANNY MARROQUIN, Mixer - Chris Testa, Engineer - Todd Burke, Engineer - Chris Galland, Assistant Mix Engineer - Crystal Fighters, Additional Production, MainArtist - Del Bowers, Assistant Mix Engineer - Andrew McDonnell, Engineer - Mike Schuppan, AssistantEngineer - Gilbert Vierich, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Percussion, Backing Vocals, Writer, Classical Guitar, Programming & Keyboards, Charango, Ukulele - Sebastian Pringle, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Percussion, Backing Vocals, Writer, Classical Guitar, Programming & Keyboards, Charango, Ukulele - David Schwerkolt, AssistantEngineer - Holly Walker, Backing Vocals - Kristian Donaldson, AssistantEngineer - Lauren Johnson, Backing Vocals - Sigrid Zeiner-Gundersen, Backing Vocals - Shaun Savage, AssistantEngineer - Luzmira Zerpa, Backing Vocals - Andrea Marongiu, Drums, Percussion - Eleanor Fletcher, Backing Vocals - Graham W. Dickson, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Percussion, Backing Vocals, Writer, Classical Guitar, Programming & Keyboards, Charango, Ukulele - Justin Mendal-Johnsen, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Percussion - Nila Raja, Backing Vocals

© 2013 Zirkulo In Association With Shamrock Solutions Ltd and Finchcrest Ltd, under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and Canada and WEA International for Japan ℗ 2013 Zirkulo In Association With Shamrock Solutions Ltd and Finchcrest Ltd under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and Canada and WEA International for Japan.

LA Calling