There’s something a little bit dislikeable about Crystal Castles ever since they became embroiled in an internet skirmish about plagiarism of chiptune music and abuse of Creative Commons privileges. I mean, there’ll always be another too-cool-for-school electro band on the horizon somewhere, and those kinds of allegations leave a kind of unpleasant stench all over a band. So the question is, can collaborating with The Cure’s Robert Smith on this cover of new wavers Platinum Blonde (which featured on their second eponymous LP with Ethan Kath singing) help rehabilitate Crystal Castles’ rep?
On the surface it’s a low risk strategy – take a straight-forward pop anthem with a pinch of ironic credibility, add an infamous voice and give it a make over with some synth arpeggios. There’s nothing here to suggest that it won’t fit slot seamlessly into the indie-disco set list. However, while it seems a little silly to criticize a song concerning what this one does for lacking an emotional punch, like much else the Crystal Castles have done, there doesn’t seem to be a great deal beneath the surface. Also, I’d rather hear them take on 10CC.
Words: Ian Lamont
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTBccJpTjs0
