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Unlike Phillies label-mates the Ronettes, the Crystals possessed a more reflective, soulful, mature and introspective sound. When Ronnie Spector would sing a song about heartbreak you knew she could weather through it, that her salvation was only a night out and a dancefloor away. When Barbara Alston sang “No One Ever Tells You,” it was the sound of a girl experiencing heartbreak and possibly emotionally coming undone. That delicate nature continued with new lead singer Lala Brooks. While they weren’t falling into heartache, they were expressing a mature form of joy and elation. The only time they ever really sounded fiery was when Darlene Love and the Blossoms were forced by Spector to record and release a handful of singles as the Crystals. Yet each of there incarnations provided magical moments.
The Barbara Alston-lead version of the Crystals always sounded very soul/R&B-focused, even on an up-tempo number like “Uptown.” They specialized in melancholic, almost melodramatically sad, songs like “Look in My Eyes” and “Please Hurt Me.” But nothing will prepare you for the abusive relationship melodrama of “He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss),” written by Carole King after a member of the group said she stayed with her abusive boyfriend because she felt like he loved her the most when he hit her.
The next incarnation was the briefest, but left one of their longest lasting singles. Darlene Love and the Blossoms were recruited to record “He’s a Rebel” because Spector wanted to produce the song as quickly as possible before someone else (anyone else really) released it as a single. The Crystals were unavailable to record the song, they were in New York while Spector was in Los Angeles, and he asked Love and her backing group to record the song for him. He then released it under the Crystals name. It remains a high-spirited classic in the girl group genre with Love’s powerhouse vocals being unmatched for sheer veracious willpower. “He’s Sure the Boy I Love” came next, and one more single was to be recorded: “Da Doo Ron Ron.” Love wanted it to be released under her own name, Spector agreed but put off finalizing the contract. Love walked out, and the Crystals, with new lead singer Lala Brooks, were brought in to finish the song.
“Da Doo Ron Ron” ushered in the greatest of the three Crystals eras. After “Da Doo Ron Ron,” truly one of their greatest singles, came their greatest single: “Then He Kissed Me.” And every song after that was a soul-pop delight. Their version of “I Wonder” lacks the energy and dynamic nature of the Ronettes more well-known version. Lala Brooks’ girlish vocals rejuvenated the group and brought them back to Spector’s attention. They’ve always played second, or third, fiddle to the Ronettes and Darlene Love, but they could hold their own against those two powerhouses.
The Crystals have one of the most convoluted histories of any of the girl groups, but their material ranks amongst the best. Often underappreciated, if not out-right forgotten, and only really mentioned in conjunction with the Spector mythology, the Crystals deserve a second look. This collection is that second look. DOWNLOAD: “Then He Kissed Me,” “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)”
