Review – Cradlemint “Cusp”
Independent EP
I had the privilege of having the review for “Blend” in front of me while I was re-keying the review for
Cradlemint’s self-titled
debut from about 1995. Researching a band for a review takes many shapes and
forms… here’s a different angle on retrospection!
The Smashing
Pumpkins sound from “Cradlemint” remained through the initial as well as title
tracks of “Cusp” so in that respect there was no progress from the
debut, but there is so much growth between here and “Blend”, as well as a hint of things to come in the pace
and attitude of Underwear (Nancy
Vandal, Teddy
Sexuals)… There seemed
for mine to be an accent on volume rather as most of the tracks seemed
distorted on both my stereo and PC, with and without cans, even at low volume.
It may have been the one-day recording schedule… but from their press it
resulted in addition across national and regional radio and kudos at award
ceremonies.
Overall the quality of the songs and recording kept trying to poke its
head out from the noise. It succeeded once or twice, but through it all, with
aforementioned retrospect, the crossroads in their career made themselves known
on this outing.
(written July 2000)