crystal antlers

Blonde Redhead Vague b/w Jet Stream Vinyl

Discogs Vinyl Haul: The Wailers, a Rare Blonde Redhead, & Shoegaze Deep Cuts

Andy Fenstermaker
June 19, 2023June 20, 2023

I spent a few days in the hospital earlier this month after some pretty intense abdominal pain. Turns out, my gallbladder has been causing me issues for years. Something I chalked up to merely bad indigestion actually could have killed me. A quick trip to the ER early one morning led to a two-day stay and surgery to have it removed. During the visit, I pulled the trigger on a vinyl order, and today I’m going to share what I got in this Discogs Vinyl Haul post.

Mount Vernon Revetment Project: Building Teardown

Fense’s Radio Show: October 5, 2012

Andy Fenstermaker
October 9, 2012May 5, 2023

With as much psychedelic pop and rock that I’ve been listening to lately, it only made sense to put together a full show featuring the sub-genres. Of course, I also threw in some beloved garage rock to keep things sane. For the first time in ages, I took the KSVR and KSVU airwaves and played several older tunes (older meaning 2011 and before), with bands like Wooden Shjips and The Mantles and Comets on Fire. New releases got their fair share of air play as well: recent songs from The Fresh & Onlys, Two Gallants, Sunglasses and METZ also made the cut. Check out the playlist below and sample the songs in blue.

Andy Fenstermaker
March 7, 2012June 24, 2012

We’ve been doing up the floors in our house, stripping out the carpet, repainting the walls, painting the trim and doors, and laying down a rich brown woven bamboo (hence the lateness of this post and the general lack of posts this week). It’s a project that should add equity to our house and, one day, our pockets. I threw this playlist together Friday morning and set to work stripping carpet from the hallway while it played in the background. Read More »Fense’s Radio Show: March 2, 2012

Fenseâ€™s Radio Show: October 21, 2011

Andy Fenstermaker
October 24, 2011June 24, 2012

I figured with my previous show being devoted to songs that remind me of sleep, this one would be the opposite. After a few bouts of standard indie rock, things got thick and loud. Read More »Fenseâ€™s Radio Show: October 21, 2011

Crystal Antlers: Summer Solstice (Video)

Andy Fenstermaker
June 29, 2011June 29, 2011

The beginning of “Summer Solstice”, off Crystal Antlers‘ forthcoming LP Two Way Mirror, has a few traits common with their previous Tentacles LP and self-titled EP. It has that same style of vocals that are at one moment stretched and pained, and the next calmed and elated. But it’s missing the prodigal chaos in the instrumentation that was so profound in that early work. No worries; this band still knows how to melt your face. Read More »Crystal Antlers: Summer Solstice (Video)

A Retrospective Top 33 and 1/3: Best Albums of 2008

Andy Fenstermaker
December 23, 2009May 18, 2023

When I compiled my original Best Of 2008 list last December, it was a snow day. The sky dropped about a foot, maybe a foot and a half of fluffy white stuff and we lowly sub-compact drivers could go nowhere. Between ranking albums and locating album art, I took a stroll around town with my camera. The above image comes from that trek. Overall, I was pretty happy with last year’s list but, in revisiting all the albums from 2008, I now see quite a few that I left out.

Andy Fenstermaker
July 3, 2009November 6, 2009

We’re now half way through 2009, so I figured it was about time to collect a few favorites from the year thus far. I’ve put together 10 must-hear albums from the first half of 2009. To alleviate any bias, and because I’m totally obsessed with this style of categorization, I’m putting them alphabetically. Read More »10 Must-Hear Albums From The First Half Of 2009

Crystal Antlers: Tentacles [Album Review]

Andy Fenstermaker
April 16, 2009April 15, 2009

There are moments on Tentacles where Crystal Anters lose their chaotic experimental flare so rampant on their debut, self-titled EP from last year. It was a trait that earned them much awareness in tunes like “A Thousand Eyes” and, my personal favorite, “Parting Song For The Torn Sky”. The good news is that Tentacles succeeds in achieving a similarly high status. Songs like “Andrew” are instantly recognizable as cutting edge and, as opposed to the EP, even dabble in psychedelia. Read More »Crystal Antlers: Tentacles [Album Review]

Best of 2008: Fense’s Top 33 & 1/3 Albums of the Year

Andy Fenstermaker
December 23, 2008May 18, 2023

The year is over. We have a new president about to take office, a failing economy, and out of control weather. The good news is that last year saw some amazing albums hit and, thanks to the rampant oppression of hard times, next year should prove just as fruitful music-wise. After all, difficult times, depression, etc. can often breed above average achievements in the arts… right?

So here it is, my top 33 and 1/3 albums of the year and the last post of 2008. The 33 is for the top 33 albums (with a few EPs included) of the year, while the 1/3 is an honorable mention 7″ single. We’ll begin with the latter…

Andy Fenstermaker
September 25, 2008April 11, 2009

Talking to a friend several months ago about a quote she had on her IM profile, which said Fuck is the new Wolf, I couldnâ€™t help but make the following prediction: Sure, but Crystal is the new Fuck. I could not have been more right. Read More »Crystal Antlers: Crystal Antlers EP [Album Review]