Thursday, April 2, 2009

Crawling Out of the Crypt


Cryptacize is former Kill Rock Stars artist, Nedelle Torrisi, Chris Cohen of The Curtains/ex-Deerhoof, Michael Carreira and new addition, bassist Aaron Olson. They are a band that deals in the unforgettable melody, the forsaken chord and the extravagant sentiment. Mythomania, their second album, shows the sound of a band that's found themselves and is growing by leaps and bounds. Nedelle Torrisi's surefooted and richly nuanced vocal arabesques strangely complement Chris Cohen's maniacally sped-up or staccato and funny guitar. Michael Carreira's syncopated drum corps rudiments and pit-orchestra rave-ups propel the songs with a refreshingly buoyant touch. The music is thicker and more continuous; in addition to autoharp, guitars and drums, there are now electric basses, keyboards, piano, and found or purely electronic sounds, and yet the same sense of space and suspense that guided Cryptacize's debut album is instantly recognizable.

Never ones to follow the rules, this unconventional band have been touring the US in a Toyota Corolla (opening for bands as diverse as Why?, Danielson, Shearwater, Ponytail, Magik Markers, Marnie Stern, The Blow, Mirah, and more) performing using miniature amps and drums. Deceptively simple, using modest means to achieve ambitious ends, never predictable, Cryptacize challenges preconceptions about how a song should go or how rock music should make you feel. But in the end, they always leave you with a tune you can hum and lyrics that tell a story.


Download: Blue Tears
Download: One Block Wonders
Download: Tall and Mane

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