When I listen to Crumb, I’m picturing cows and barns and shit swirling around inside a tornado like that scene in Wizard Of Oz. They trade in simple jams with traditional jazz and rock instrumentation and a cool hand on the mixing board, retaining the warmth of all the classics while avoiding the pitfalls of DTM (doing too much). This LP combines Crumb’s first two self-released cassette EPs from 2017. For the longest, you could only get these at the band’s shows, with modest quantities occasionally appearing on their online store before disappearing and resurfacing on second hand sites at a ridiculous markup. The self-titled EP on side A spells out the ingredients for the band’s unique cauldron of jazz, psych and indie rock. Lila Ramani’s voice is simultaneously bluesy and twee on “Bones” and “So Tired,” while “Vinta” demonstrates the crew’s jazz chops (Ramani’s loosely affiliated with Standing On The Corner) before shifting into psych mode with a motorik groove. Flip it over to the Locket EP and you can hear the band making huge strides, with even more arresting grooves and intoxicating atmosphere on each track. “Locket” is the crown jewel here, making the greatest use of the band’s melodic sensibilities with a deadly bassline and absolutely stellar production. “Recently Played” is cool and unhurried, and “Thirty Nine” is a sick extended psychedelic jam. Sorta recalls the downtown naïveté of early Blonde Redhead, more recent King Krule stuff or that Toro / Mattson 2 album (don't miss the Crumb full-length too). This is the first time the two EPs are widely available, pressed back to back on a single LP with artwork from each release adorning opposite sides of the sleeve. Recommended.
- black vinyl pressing
- includes both the Crumb + Locket EPs
- full color artwork on both sides
- music label: Crumb Records 2019
reviewed by him downstairs 08/2019
