Cell – Cross The River/ China Latina – 7 Inch Vinyl Record

Description

Cell – Cross The River/ China Latina – 7 Inch Vinyl Record

Cell’s Cross the River/China Latina (1992) is a two-track release from the New York-based alternative rock band Cell. Emerging during the early 1990s, Cell was part of the thriving underground music scene in New York, with a sound that blended elements of grunge, noise rock, and indie rock. The band’s music often featured driving rhythms, fuzzy guitars, and introspective, somewhat abstract lyrics, placing them in a similar musical vein as Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., and Pavement.

This release, with its two distinct tracks—“Cross the River” and “China Latina”—showcases Cell’s talent for combining melodic structures with dissonant, distorted instrumentation, creating a textured sound that alternates between intensity and calm. Cell were a New York-based Grunge band, formed in the early nineties and split in 1995. They were signed to Geffen.

Both tracks display influences from the grunge and noise rock movements that were gaining momentum in the early ’90s. The guitars are heavy and distorted, but there’s a melodic undercurrent that grounds the songs. This blend of noise and melody is a hallmark of Cell’s sound, making them stand out in the alternative rock scene. One of the defining characteristics of Cell’s music is the use of layered guitars. Both tracks feature thick, interwoven guitar lines that create a sense of depth and texture. The interplay between distortion and cleaner, more melodic guitar lines adds dynamic tension to the songs.

Key Tracks

‘Cross the River’: This track opens with a brooding, mid-tempo guitar riff that builds into a dense wall of sound. The song’s dynamic shifts from quiet, introspective verses to louder, more aggressive choruses are reminiscent of bands like Dinosaur Jr. and Sonic Youth. The vocals are somewhat subdued and buried in the mix, giving the track a dreamy, introspective feel. Lyrically, the song seems to explore themes of distance, reflection, and crossing both literal and metaphorical rivers.
‘China Latina’: More upbeat and rhythmically complex, ‘China Latina’ introduces Latin-flavored beats into Cell’s usual alt-rock sound. This track showcases the band’s willingness to experiment with different rhythms and styles, adding a playful, almost funky feel to the distorted guitars. The guitar work is still heavily textured, but the incorporation of more varied percussion gives the song a unique flavor within the context of their discography.

The lyrics of “Cross the River” evoke a sense of distance and longing, with the river serving as a metaphor for emotional or physical separation. This theme of distance, whether it’s between people, places, or ideas, is a recurring element in Cell’s music. The title “China Latina” hints at a fusion of cultures, and the music reflects this with its mix of grunge and Latin-inspired rhythms. While the lyrics of the track are more abstract, there’s a playful energy that complements the cross-cultural references in the song’s title and rhythmic approach.

The production on both tracks is raw but not overly lo-fi, maintaining the clarity of the layered instrumentation while preserving the gritty, distorted edge that defines the band’s sound. The guitars are given prominence, with layers of distortion and effects creating a thick sonic landscape that drives the energy of both tracks. The vocals, while present, are often mixed low, giving the music a more textural focus. This approach draws attention to the interplay between the instruments rather than placing too much emphasis on the lyrics, which is typical of the noise rock and shoegaze aesthetics that influenced Cell.

While Cell never achieved the same level of mainstream success as some of their contemporaries, they were an important part of the early 1990s New York underground scene, contributing to the burgeoning alternative rock movement. Their blend of noise, melody, and experimental rhythms made them a unique voice in the post-punk landscape. Cross the River/China Latina represents a moment of experimentation within the alt-rock scene of the early 1990s, offering a glimpse into the band’s willingness to push the boundaries of their sound. Though they remain a cult band, their work resonates with fans of the era’s indie rock and grunge scenes, particularly those drawn to the noisier, more experimental side of the genre.

Cross the River/China Latina offers a concise but powerful snapshot of Cell’s capabilities as a band blending grunge, noise rock, and alternative rhythms. With its mix of raw intensity and experimental flair, the two-track release captures the spirit of early 1990s New York indie rock, where bands like Cell were pushing the boundaries of genre and sound. While Cell may not have reached the heights of some of their peers, Cross the River/China Latina is a solid example of the creativity and experimentation that defined the underground rock scene of the time. For fans of noise-driven, introspective rock, these tracks are a hidden gem in the early ‘90s alt-rock landscape.

45 RPM single

Brand new, never played with some jacket wear from storage

EFA/ City Slang Records 1993

Limited to 1000 copies.

Baby Blue Vinyl

https://www.roundflat.com/shop/seven-inches/cell-cross-the-river-china-latina-vinyl-45-rpm-single/https://www.roundflat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Beastie-Boys-Intergalactic-7-Inch-Vinyl-Record.jpghttps://www.roundflat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Beastie-Boys-Intergalactic-7-Inch-Vinyl-Record-150x150.jpg2014-11-02T21:09:31-05:00roundflatStoreCell - Cross The River/ China Latina - 7 Inch Vinyl Record Cell’s Cross the River/China Latina (1992) is a two-track release from the New York-based alternative rock band Cell. Emerging during the early 1990s, Cell was part of the thriving underground music scene in New York, with a sound...roundflat webmaster@roundflat.comAdministratorRound Flat Records