The year 2009 was a surprisingly quiet one for Aussie trio Midnight Juggernauts, as they were carefully crafting their new album in an under-the-radar fashion. Later in October of that same year, the band trucked through a cornucopia of CMJ showcases in New York and won over practically everyone with their brand new tunes. Fast-forward to the present and the band have crafted a significantly polished piece of work, their sophomore album The Crystal Axis. Is the album a step ahead of their debut Dystopia, or is it similarly on the same plane as its predecessor? Well, from the first few seconds… one can tell, it’s definitely something completely different.
The introductory track, “Induco” is pretty much a John Carpenter-esque prelude to the album, creating a eerie space-age atmosphere that preps us for “Vital Signs”, which shows off a sort of banging, mellow side of the band while packing a classic synthesized punch. After the definite starting highlight of the record, “Lifeblood Flow” goes into a synth-pop direction similar to the sounds of 2005-era Ladytron, although a bit more ethereal and badass. What follows is the previously-adored single “This New Technology” and “Lara Versus The Savage Pack”. While “…Technology” is an awesome tune that we all know and love, “Lara…” is absolutely something that should capture the ears of listeners old and new, as the Juggernauts pull a pop surprise on us, with handclaps and catchy vocal hooks creating an instant classic.
The following three tracks (“The Great Beyond”, “Cannibal Freeway”, “Virago”) are clumped together in a sort of mysteriously bittersweet space journey that ranges from glorious synth line to saccharine guitar licks that are surrounded by filters and fantastic echo work. It all leads to the almost-outro “Lemura” which sounds like a nod to Vangelis in a way, seamlessly segueing into the album closer “Fade To Red”. The track is nothing short of brilliant; starting off as a fade-in to a final transmission from the cosmos to the command center, the vocals are surrounded by warm synths, bass and fantastic filters. “This is a final goodbye…” is echoed in this track well enough that it makes a fantastic impact to anyone who can feel a bevy of emotions.
Uninhibited by preconceived notions of their fans, critics or the sounds of their last record, Midnight Juggernauts triumphantly return with a record that stretches their skill set to infinite lengths. Not only do the band reach new heights with their atmospheric sensibilities, but they go between genres effortlessly and show off why they should never be counted out as a band. The Crystal Axis is by far one of the most well crafted, polished and spacious albums I’ve heard in recent years. This may very well be the Midnight Juggernauts’ Dark Side Of The Moon (Siberia, 2010).
