Following their 2007 debut Dystopia, The Midnight Juggernauts have revealed their versatility through the release of The Crystal Axis. The Melbourne band rose to popularity with synth/dance pop songs such as Into the Galaxy and Road to Recovery, sounds that can be compared to Daft Punk or Pnau. However, this album is a complete back flip from Dystopia, taking listeners on a hypnotic space rock trip.
The Crystal Axis starts off with ‘Induco’, a mysterious and foreboding overture. Electronic echoes are then carried into ‘Vital Signs’. Although this is probably the most radio-friendly song, it blends electronica with percussion and woodwind instruments to create a sort of world music, similar to songs on Yeasayer’s Odd Blood. The myriad of sounds and mellow vocals is a somewhat psychedelic beginning to the album. ‘Lifeblood Flow’ is a triumphant pop song, full of catchy hooks and soaring keyboards: “Chase the light, let your lifeblood flow. Who cares where the road will land. Forge on before it’s gone forever. Hold on until we’re born again.” ‘This New Technology’ is driven by electronic hooks layered over repetitive drumming and the song can become tiresome. The Midnight Juggernauts then demonstrate their skills in progressive rock with the fifth and sixth tracks. ‘Lara Verses the Savage Pack’ is groovy and danceable, with unruly percussion and psychedelic guitar riffs. Towards the end, the song build up to a sonic freak-out, layered with choirs and intensifying electronica.
‘The Great Beyond’ begins with eerie keyboards and echoed vocalisations; “Into the great beyond, before hysteria starts. Into the great beyond, before the world around us all falls apart.” Then progressive and menacing guitar riffs lead into and instrumental jam. This is definitely a stand out track. It is clear to see that the juggernauts have attempted tone down their earlier dizzy sounding electronica by emphasizing rock instrumentation and restricting the synth. This is evident in ‘Winds of Fortune’, a flurry of harmonising and funk driven guitars with a possible Beach Boys influence. Yet the trio are able conjure faraway lands and cosmic atmospheres through spacey electronics with ease. ‘Dynasty’ incorporates theatrical organs and narrative in the lyrics to produce a science fiction epic in itself. Eventually we reach the album closer ‘Fade to Red’. The song is hypnotising and haunting. Spiraling keyboards and electronic clicks move like waves as double tracked vocals croon “This is the final goodbye”.On The Crystal Axis, Midnight Juggernauts move away from electro pop and towards a more refined sound space rock sound, expanding their musical horizons and their fan base.
