TRICOT - A N D LP (Brown In Tan Vinyl)

Label: Topshelf Records

Formed in 2010, Tricot is a four-piece band out of Kyoto who are essentially three permanent members, plus a touring drummer. Hiromi “Hirohiro” Sagame plays bass while Motoko “Motifour” Kida and Ikkyu Nakajima play guitar; all of ‘em sing. A N D is their newest album, but it’s their second LP:
T H E was released in 2013. It’s also worth searching for.

Honestly, the whole thing reminds one of late Sonic Youth, particularly Rather Ripped: it’s kind of poppy, kind of complex but really just rocks like it’s nobody’s business. They’re all good musicians and Tricot’s twin guitar attack especially stands out: they flip between tricky lines and driving chords like it’s nobody’s business. At the same time, their melodic side gives A N D a nice edge; it’s never abrasive or seems complicated for it’s own sake.

A N D is an excellent record, one stuffed with good twin-guitar riffage, an interesting mix of math rock and pop-punk, and, yes, lots of Japanese vocals. Keep an open mind and Tricot’s A N D will surprise you.