Crystal Castles - xxzxczx

I am definitely a sucker for any electronic music that incorporates vintage video game sounds. The crunchy synth of the Commodore 64 SID chip and other 8-bit systems like the Game Boy and NES bring back pleasant childhood memories, but they also have this wonderfully unique texture to them that, when used properly, strike the perfect balance between retro and future. I haven't been able to dig up much info on Crystal Castles so far (yet another band settling for a MySpace page instead of a real website), but from what I gather they are a Toronto area duo and they will be releasing a 12" on Young Cubs Records and CD on Blood Of The Drash. "xxzxczx" is a manic song packed with overdriven bleeps with strangled female vocals, while "Air War" is a little more restrained but every bit as addictive.

» Bonus Track: Air War
» Bonus Track: Comic Book Fever - TV Babies (Crystal Castles Remix)