Concert Review: Cryptacize at the Middle East Upstairs

A cheerful "Cosmic Sing-a-long" could easily turn ironic, but in Cohen and Torrisi's deft hands, it's gently sinister. The one new song in their set was a whimsical threat titled "New Spell": I've got a new spell / Be careful what you say and do. That we never heard what the new spell did not make Bostonist any less apprehensive. The band was true to its name.

Openers Ben & Vesper played domesticated sub-rock songs (impenetrable but not unpleasant), put a strand of Christmas lights inside a drum (duly photographed by all present), and flicked their excess drink tickets into the audience for their own amusement (but not, we're guessing, the bartender's).

Spitzer Space Telescope surprised Bostonist with his handsomely legit folk voice and his acoustic guitar with "CAMELTOE" spelled out in teal electrical tape. A little bit Mountain Goats and a lot of nervous energy, he sang original compositions about unicorns and war and space ships, as well as a traditional Scottish tune about whiskey. Bostonist was charmed: you had us at "CAMELTOE."

From top: Nedelle Torrisi's waifish hand and cobalt blue shorts and drummer Michael Carreira's chest; Cohen and Torrisi; Ben plies the audience with booze; Spitzer Space Telescope is blurry with speed.