Well – the hype-machine has been cranked up and the production of superlatives for Canada’s Crystal Castles is in full flow with no sign of industrial action likely to hinder progress. Some of these words are however just SO manufactured. For instance a recent issue of NME proclaimed on the front cover: ‘We’re using sounds that no-one else can get.’ However, this is only PART of a quote, and read in isolation can portray Ethan and Alice as being a bit above their station whereas in fact they have previously tried as much as possible to shun the clamour of the media and let their music speak for them.
So, is the hype justified then? Well, ‘disco-punk’ is nothing new, but has so far been largely ignored by the mainstream press – (you don’t count the likes of Klaxons as disco-punk!) That said, this single is refreshing and with Crystal Castles now deemed as ‘cool’ and ‘trendy,’ they will surely be rewarded with a bit of a ‘hit.’
Programmed beats, bleeps and a Chad Jackson (‘Hear The Drummer Get Wicked’) / House of Pain (‘Jump Around’) screech are complimented by Alice’s vocals which are distinctive in that they seem at times to melt together the voice of Lovefoxx (CSS) and Becky Ninkovic (You Say Party! We Say Die!)
Already receiving National daytime radio play, ‘Courtship Dating’ is set to establish Crystal Castles as one of the bands of 2008.
//Colin Jackson