Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

This California based folk band presents an album of soft serenading show tunes that are capable of lulling you into a serene oblivion. Cryptacize, a trio composed of Nedelle Torrisi, Chris Cohen and Michael Carreira, make their first break with Dig That Treasure. However, the band members are not new to the music world. Cohen and Torrisi have worked with previous bands such as Deerhoof and The Curtains. With Cryptacize, their latest music triumph leaves a lingering feeling of cheer.

This band is the definition of minimalist instrumentation. Guitar strums are so randomly placed that it leaves me yearning for more, and bass is nonexistent. The result is strange and somewhat evocative of campfire songs. Fortunately, Cryptacize knows how to do a lot with a little. The best parts of Dig That Treasure are the spacey, soothing melodies from Torrisi’s charming soft voice. Her lyrics and harmonies offer a whimsical yet dramatic undertone to the entire album.

Track 3, Heaven is Human, has a catchy chorus that is sure to have you humming along. Track 6, Cosmic Sing-a-long, sounds like it is straight out of a musical production – cowbell and all. (Cryptacize loves their cowbell.) In fact, the whole album could be turned into a musical for the stage. With the poignant emotion that is portrayed in each song I sort of expect Torrisi to burst into my room to serenade my face off. "Don’t be shy," she sings, “Look to the sky, ‘cause all the stars are on your side.” I melt for her silky voice, but the simplistic structure of the album leaves me a little bored.