SWEET CRYSTAL - 5 CARAT ROCK (2016)

 “5 CARAT ROCK”– the fifth release from fifteen time (and counting) Detroit Music Award winning rock band SWEET CRYSTAL is shining even brighter, thanks to their ongoing collaboration with engineer/producer  Chuck Alkazian (Christina Aguilera, Mitch Ryder, Pop Evil).
The new 7 song, 8 track (more on that later) EP features all the stellar guitar tones and solos, keyboard melodies and arrangements  and dynamic vocal performances of previous SWEET CRYSTAL releases, but it’s the addition of Pearl Sound Studios (Canton, MI) signature live drum tracks and Alkazian’s bass playing that makes this the most powerful and poignant project to date for the band – and that’s saying a lot.
 “There are some pretty sweet themes behind the original songs on 5 Carat Rock” says founding member Marq Andrew Speck. “The opening track “Even Now” is based on how our lives parallel the story of Lazarus in the Bible. “Come As We Are” is the first full out praise-n-worship song we’ve ever written. “Jericho” equates the walls we build in our lives to those of that ill-fated city in the Old Testament and “Can’t Turn Back” is a reflection on how we react as we encounter the world around us. There will be a song or two (Ed. Note: or more) in 5 Carat Rock that touches everyone right where they live.”

The physical CD (released on the Nightcrier Music label) also contains bonus tracks not available as downloads: SWEET CRYSTAL not only covers music from two iconic artists (Bob Dylan and Motley Crue), but perhaps the most interesting cut is Track 8 - “Sgt. Penney 1945 (Live)”. This historic audio archive is a restored live recording from a young soldier, originally broadcast in 1945 from the Pacific front during World War II back to a Detroit radio station. “There is a very unique connection between this decorated warrior and the band that made this well worth documenting on this release” says Speck.
The core trio of musicians that make up SWEET CRYSTAL - Marq Andrew Speck (lead vocal, anything with keys), Bill Blatter (vocals, anything with strings) and Steve Wieser (anything hit with sticks) remains standing strong on the front lines of the Michigan music scene. Their music, message, mission and ministry continue and show no sign of slowing down any time soon. 
SWEET CRYSTAL and 5 CARAT ROCK – still “Reaching The World, One Song At A Time ™”!

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 # # # Previous Releases Also Available At http://sweetcrystal.bandcamp.com/

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