Cargo Records

Landscape

Recorded using a mixture of vintage and virtual instruments the band have forged an album that transcends mere nostalgia and instead pushes forward to explore contemporary themes such as alienationfrom and disharmony with the environment. Each track is carefully crafted, hinting at the old forms of progressive rock, psychedelia, and krautrock but delivered with a passionately modern sensibility. And through sheer unity of purpose the Crystal Sun have fused these disparate elements to create a balanced, coherent work that enthrals and delights.

Despite releasing Landscape we here at 12 Apostles know little of substance about the musicians behind it, having originally been approached in 2005 by a contact in the rare record scene who had recently been invited to a small rehersal space to see a – as then un-named - band who were looking for a record label. His enthusiastic account of their prog-tinged soundscapes and their insistence on annonimity left us intrigued. Despite asking for demo or session tapes over the following months nothing was forthcoming and eventually we were forced to conclude that the band had either broken up or decided to take their music elswehere. Cut to early January 2008 when a package arrives in the post containing a finished master and a brief note to say that the band were finally happy with their labours and had christened themselves The Crystal Sun. 12 Apostles are thrilled to be able to present Landscape, the debut studio recording from nu-prog pioneers The Crystal Sun. Landscape is steeped in a hazy late 60s/ early 70s vibe meshed with a thoroughly 21st century take on the state of the planet. “With a lyrical stretch that encompasses Aztec blood sacrifice and 21st century scrap yards set to a lush soundtrack that is both mesmerising and complex. Landscape is not short of ambition. The good news is that it lives up to all this and more. A tremendous debut and something to savour for many years to come. The Crystal Sun is shining bright.” Analogue Phaze Landscape is presented in a deluxe gatefold sleeve (complete with paper inner-sleeve) featuring specially comissioned paintings from Barcelona’s Pablo El Cuchillo.