DEMON IN YOU

For their second album, Crystal Palace toned down somewhat the over-the-topness of their debut, but what remains is still synth- fueled bombastic rock with a mysterious vibe (though not strictly prog). The bassist Yenz Sturtz (the only ever-present member of the band) takes over the vocal duties. He can do a melodramatic and crooning delivery, but his better vocal work is still ahead. Instrumental work is strong - bass is ringing and guitars wail when need be. What makes the Demon In You album not an essential one in Crystal Palace's discography is the rather pedestrian nature of songs (the most complex one, the instrumental Aurora Borealis, has cool ideas, but is repetitive somewhat and marred by spoken word samples), not the strongest ones that they have to offer.