Description
The Cynics – Twelve Flights Up – Vinyl Record
Twelve Flights Up is the second studio album by The Cynics, a garage rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Released in 1988, the album is a significant part of the garage rock revival movement of the 1980s, with The Cynics drawing heavily from the raw, energetic sound of 1960s garage rock and proto-punk bands. Known for their fuzz-drenched guitars, wild energy, and snarling vocals, The Cynics became a key band in keeping the spirit of garage rock alive during an era dominated by more polished mainstream music.
Produced by Tim Kerr, a figure deeply embedded in the garage and punk rock scenes, Twelve Flights Up delivers a raw, unfiltered sound filled with catchy hooks, gritty guitar riffs, and aggressive yet melodic vocals by frontman Michael Kastelic. The album is widely regarded as one of the band’s best works and has become a cult favorite among garage rock enthusiasts.
Twelve Flights Up is a high-energy record from start to finish, featuring a mix of original tracks and covers that pay homage to the garage rock sounds of the 1960s. The album is filled with fuzzed-out guitars, pounding rhythms, and Kastelic’s impassioned vocals.
‘Yeah!’ – A raucous opener with driving guitars and an infectious chorus, ‘Yeah!’ perfectly captures the high-octane garage rock sound. The song’s energy and simplicity make it an instant standout.
‘Abba’ – One of the album’s most memorable tracks, ‘Abigail’ combines jangly guitars with a catchy, melancholic melody. The lyrics focus on heartbreak, delivered with a raw emotional edge.
The Cynics’ music on Twelve Flights Up is a modern take on the gritty, rebellious sound of 1960s garage rock. The songs are filled with themes of love, heartbreak, alienation, and youthful rebellion, delivered with a raw, unpolished energy that defined garage rock’s DIY ethos. The combination of Michael Kastelic’s snarling, expressive vocals and Gregg Kostelich’s fuzzed-out guitar riffs creates a sound that is both retro and refreshingly urgent.
The production by Tim Kerr enhances the lo-fi aesthetic, keeping the sound raw and authentic. The influence of classic garage rock bands like The Sonics, The Standells, and The Seeds is apparent throughout the album, but The Cynics manage to infuse their music with a more contemporary punk edge.
Twelve Flights Up is widely considered one of The Cynics’ most essential albums and a classic of the 1980s garage rock revival. The album received praise from critics and fans alike for its authentic garage rock sound, catchy songwriting, and raw energy. Over the years, it has maintained a cult following, particularly among fans of garage rock, punk, and underground rock.
The Cynics played a key role in the garage rock resurgence of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and Twelve Flights Up is often cited as one of the genre’s high points during that period. The band’s dedication to preserving the raw, unrefined spirit of garage rock while injecting it with a modern punk attitude ensured that they remained a favorite among purists of the genre.
For fans of garage rock, punk, and lo-fi rock and roll, Twelve Flights Up is a must-listen and a standout example of the garage rock revival of the late 20th century.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic seal
Track Listing
Creepin’
Yeah!
I Know
Took Her Hand
I Never Loved Her
Erica
A Basket Of Flowers
Abba
Nothin’
Useless
Gloria’s Dream
Blues In D
