In “Crusades,” The Plastic Constellations has cast itself as a band of wild-eyed adventurers set to explore the open country, fend-off dragons and cut out a place for themselves in the fickle world of indie rock.
From its opening riff, “Crusades” grabs listeners and propels them on an adventure through the trials and tribulations of four friends in their mid-20s who have been a band since they were 14. Through the course of the album, The Plastic Constellations struggle with success and long tours and the fear that its music sounds ordinary.
The music in “Crusades” is a distilled barrage of brazen rock. Songs wilt or explode at a moment’s notice. The dueling lead guitars are adept at playing both hard-hitting riffs and acrobatic melodies. The music is a force that propels the album forward and is an evocative backdrop for The Plastic Constellations’ personal lyrics.
The four members of The Plastic Constellations share vocal responsibilities. The band doesn’t scream and growl its lyrics. TPC verses are narrative and often dark. The choruses are uplifting rally cries, often sung in unison, that will stick in a listener’s head for days. The Plastic Constellations’ sometimes gruff, sometimes sly lyrics fit perfectly with their dynamic rock backbone.
Fans of rock should check out “Crusades.” The Plastic Constellations combine interesting lyrics with driving music to create 2006’s first great album.