The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long – one of my favourite quotes from one of my favourite movies (Blade Runner) – is an apt description for late eighties/early nineties Eora/Sydney band The Crystal Set. Disbanding almost immediately after the release of their epic second album ‘Almost Pure’ – an album that is still on my regular play list – The Crystal Set produced melodic jingle jangle psych pop of the highest order: enigmatic, anthemic and very cool.
Signs of a pulse emerged when the band reformed in 2024 supporting The Ups & Downs, and they later headlined last year on a tour down the the East Coast of Australia to sell out venues. We are now inordinately proud to premiere their first single in thirty-four years, ‘Critical Mass!’, as they prove the tour wasn’t just an exercise in nostalgia. And, as I always say, proving in the process that creativity has no use-by date.
‘Critical Mass!’ has all the hallmarks of The Crystal Set of yore with its sparkling melodies, crystalline guitars and an enigmatic blush. The song is is in fact reconstructed from vestiges of some long lost demos recently found. Singer/bass player Russell Kilbey’s vocals are urgent and distant over a driving insistent instrumentation, with scything guitars that sparkle like stars in the sky. The louche delivery carries an euphoric chorus – anthemic and imperial. There are traces of old Echo and the Bunnymen and – of course – the youthful The Crystal Set from the eighties in the shimmering delivery. It’s pure indie pop.
Guitarist Phil Maher says of the track:
This seems so fresh to me. It’s like we came out of a cave, a couple of Rip Van Winkles and stumbled onto the perfect rhythm section.
Kilbey adds:
I’m amazed at the new material. It’s like the dam has burst. Writing songs with Phil after all this time is like jumping into the smooth leather seat of your favourite car. We just play and songs seem to assemble them selves.
‘Critical Mass!’ is a pulse-racing triumphant return to greatness, and it’s like the past 34 years didn’t exist:
‘Critical Mass!’, recorded at Airlock Studios near Brisbane, is out on Friday (27 February) and you will be able to get it here and from all the usual download/streaming sites. The cover of the new single is an actual photo by Brett Leigh Dicks taken inside the cooling tower of a decommissioned Nuclear Reactor in Washington State.
The Crystal Set is working on a new album entitled ‘Don’t Peak Early’ and the band will play a nationwide tour mid year.
There is clearly something in the genes – Kilbey’s son Logan who is filling in with the band for Craig Hooper (from the Reels) also plays in one of our revered rising bands, Postcard from Pluto. And of course Russell Kilbey’s brother is – well that’s another story.
The Crystal Set are:
Russell Kilbey-Vocal
Phil Maher -Guitars and Backing Vocals
Rudi Weber-Drums and Backing Vocals
Robbie Warren- Bass
Logan Kilbey- Rhythm Guitar
Craig Hooper from the legendary The Reels also plays with the band.
Feature Photograph: Stephen Mc Kenzie
