Asthmatic Kitty
You could listen to the entirety of Cryptacize’s debut album Dig that Treasure and feel like its never really started. Instead Cryptacize — comprised of former Deerhoof guitarist Chris Cohen multi-instrumentalist Nedelle Torrisi and percussionist Michael Carreira — mess with listeners’ expectations dabbling almost exclusively in what sounds like the quiet introductions of songs. It always feels like someone’s about to shout “one two three four” and have the back end kick in.
This can make for a frustrating listen but as soon as you realize the driving beats and big hooks every song seems to build towards isn’t going to come Cryptacize’s considerable strengths begin to emerge. Cohen and Torrisi display a charming vocal interplay on Treasure and together they craft some delightful sunny harmonies. These harmonies are further highlighted by the sparse instrumentation — often no more than Cohen’s unconventional guitar tones and a wood block. Though this does occasionally lend Treasure a demo-like feel it’s clear Cryptacize are as interested in the notes that aren’t being played as the ones that are.
Though Cryptacize’s debut is difficult to get into — and deliberately so — a subtly rewarding and wildly unconventional album awaits those with the necessary patience to well dig for treasure.
