Before paring down to a minimal sweetness, the Crabs did have a bit of bite — What Were Flames… begins with the pretty whimper that characterized its successors, but actually finds some Some Velvet Sidealk-style full-band territories that have the rough and chirpy rock appeal K releases tend toward. This makes for an album that’s a little less monochromatic than the pastoral Sand and Sea — and it makes it a little clearer why K head Calvin Johnson took an interest in the band in the first place. – Nitsuh Abebe