Needle Time

  Craft Spells - Idle Labor [CT-101 LTD USA 2011 24-Bit FLAC] What's the betting that Justin Vallesteros has the best record collection among all the kids of his generation in Stockton, California? Idle Labor was the debut album from his band, Craft Spells - initially a limited pressing on blue opaque vinyl in a hand painted and stamped on a plain unbleached cardboard sleeve of 400. My rip is taken from my copy in the low one hundreds. Subsequent copies were on standard black vinyl in a sleeve very similar to New Order's Power, Corruption & Lies . The teenage Vallesteros clearly held a liking for eighties British indie-pop and such references are splattered all over this record. Perhaps that is why I like this album so much. The pressing is not that great and the production has the feel of a demo, but you should never let that put you off, Craft Spells had something, the skill to write great catchy indie-pop songs and this album is full of them. The early singles, Party T...

Craft Spells - After The Moment [CT-94 USA 2011 24-Bit FLAC] Those who have followed ESWA from the start may recall my plug for the Craft Spells 2011 album Idle Labor. Being responsible for one of my favourite albums from this decade, this Stockton California four piece seem to have shrunk down to just front man Justin Vallesteros. I personally don't think they could have moved on from Idle Labor as subsequent releases indicated they had run out of ideas. After The Moment is infectious and catchy, using familiar hooks and riffs from a decade long ago, you immediately recall parts of New Order and The Wake who were obvious influences. I urge you all to track down Idle Labor ....if you haven't already done so. A1 After The Moment B1 Love Well Spent