Akin to their name, Crash has debuted with a bang with their release of their lost self-titled album! An underdog story right out of a movie, this album was finished in 1996, but was dropped from their label just before their release, only to now release their music today. After uncovering their original masters and remastering them, they have now released this time capsule from the mid 90's, after the release of two singles, Day at the Fair, and Red Velvet Sofa.
These two singles are great choices to lead the album with. Day at the Fair gives a great introduction to the sound of the album with layered electric guitars, wide reverb, and singer Natasha Reid’s haunting vocals. You can absolutely hear the Kate Bush and Debby Harry influences in Reid’s tone and the way she layers vocals. The drums could’ve been mixed a little differently as the hi hat really jumps out to me throughout the song, but ultimately it’s an amazing example of a 90's indie rock song.
The second single, Red Velvet Sofa, continues the energy of the album from Day at the Fair, and the bigger picture of the album comes into light! The song is well balanced, catchy, and I really enjoy the various guitar solos. I think they support the vocals incredibly well and are very melodic!
The rest of the album follows the same pattern of dreamy reverb vocals, layered lead guitar, and the drums and bass consistently supporting the sound. The entire album is a look into how Crash was leaning into experimental indie rock sounds in ‘96 and it still holds up today.
Crash formed in the early 90's and were swimming in the same indie rock waters of the time as bands like Pixies, Breeders, Sonic Youth, Veruca Salt, Belly, L7, Manic Street Preachers and The Primitives, combining that with Singer Natasha Reid's pure toned vocals (landing somewhere between Kate Bush and Debbie Harry), giving the band their own distinct sound.
The band had substantial alternative radio success and produced 3 Failsafe Records & NZ on Air funded videos to go with their singles released on 2 cassette EPs in league with Failsafe Records.
Failsafe took their 'overseas experience' break in 1996 leaving Crash to pursue other options and with a full head of steam and lots of songs they teamed up with Warners NZ to record and release their debut full length album in Auckland's top recording studios, with some of the best alternative producers including Neil Baldock and Nick Roughan.