Although I’m a little reticent to use the term “Alt. Supergroup” anywhere in this review…

Here we have, the self-titled debut album from Crystal Fairy, an (…Aw, fuck it…) alt. supergroup comprising of King Buzzo and Dale Crover from The Melvins, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez from The Mars Volta, and Le Butcherettes’ Teri Gender Bender on vocals.

As you would expect from a line-up of such pedigree, this record is spirited and spunky stuff.

‘Chiseler’ makes for a brash and confident opener, with the vocals coming across like Jehnny Beth from Savages channelling Hazel O’Connor, with Buzz Osborne’s guitar riffs sounding bright, but heavy.

‘Drugs On The Bus’ slows things down a bit, with keyboards and a darker edge, while ‘Necklace Of Divorce’ serves up a host of vocal hooks and stand-out moments, before the grungy feel of ‘Moth Tongue’.

The serpentine riffs and free-wheeling bass makes ‘Crystal Fairy’ the ideal choice for the bands identity, but just when you think that you’ve got this lot pinned down, the Hispanic heaviness of ‘Secret Agent Rat’ and the bluesy pain of ‘Under Trouble’ provide more intrigue. The latter track working radio atmospherics and hand claps into its unfolding trauma. And, if it’s an intense guitar workout that you require…check out ‘Bent Teeth’, a muscular riff-fest, but with Dale Crover keeping things locked down with an airtight rhythm section.

The brief ‘Posesión’ delivers a short, sharp, shock of intensity, that leads into the the sultry strum of ‘Sweet Self’. A track that highlights Teri’s vocals perfectly. From croon to hysteria, at the drop of a hat.

The closing, frenzied chug of ‘Vampire X-mas’ providing no doubt as to the validity of this 4-piece, whether you choose to call them a supergroup or not.

As a result, if you are in the least bit familiar with the line-up’s other bands, you will probably dig this record…and even if you aren’t…you will probably dig this record.

‘Crystal Fairy’ is everything that good rock should be, energetic, noisy, emotional and true.

Well worth your attention.

(8.5/10 Stuart Carroll)

https://www.facebook.com/crystalfairyband