Cryptacize With Speck Mountain And Thin Hymns
6/6/08
Schubas Tavern
I wasn’t quite sure where the night would end up this time, having no prior experience seeing headliners Cryptacize or openers Thin Hymns. I was mainly interested in Chicago locals Speck Mountain, who I’d seen at the last CHIRP record fair at Pulaski Field House. I must say, I was intrigued by the songs I heard on Oakland’s trio Cryptacize’s myspace page. Lackadaisical with just a hint of psych rock, songs like “We’ll Never Dream Again” and “Cosmic Sing-along” seemed like they could be sure winners.
I don’t normally make a habit of imagining what Miranda July as a 15 year old in a band would be like but Cryptacize would fit that description rather adeptly. Lead singer Nedelle Torrisi has to be at least 21 but she looks incredibly young and innocent. Her presentation is also reminiscent of what I’d expect of a younger version of Miranda July and I felt she was a little too spacy. After a couple of songs, she remarked “Ok, we’re going to have to take it down a notch.” “Down a notch?” I thought…how could it get any slower? Yet, it proved possible. What should have been a lingering loveliness turned into a loss of enchantment with these songs rather quickly. This is unfortunate, as they really do have potential. However. Cryptacize really needs to work on their stage presence if they are going to hold an audience’s attention. The songs drift and seem purposeless when they could be much richer in layers and livelier. Cryptacize played for less than 45 minutes but it still felt like a rather long set, unfortunately.
Thankfully, Speck Mountain really redeemed the night and provided for a more satisfying opening set. The four piece plays psychedelic folk music that seems just right. Though Marie-Claire Balabanian may have been just as understated at Cryptacize’s Nedelle Torrisi, she cast a much more profound presence with her vocals. The layers of sound created by the keyboard and bass helped bring out the repetitively melodic guitar parts from the lead singer. Her beauty was enhanced by a Mazzy Starr like sound in her vocals that made one relish the moments they were on stage.
Consistent with a purer sort of indie sound, Thin Hymns played as a three piece but seem to really be the work of Michael Hilger and Joe Starita. The keyboards and guitar were nice while the drums filled in some of the ambient space but the cello by far was the highlight of most of the songs. It felt emotional at times without being overbearing or too obvious…but somehow personal and intimate within the context of the lyrics. Their set felt a bit subdued but still very engaging in the way each instrument worked together in the context of the songs. They may be still figuring out their sound and directions if the band is in it’s early incarnation but they definitely have a good start.