In the early '90s, the short-lived instrumental group the
Coctails created an intriguing blend of easy listening pop and avant-rock. The Chicago trio,
Tricolor, are undoubtedly familiar with the
Coctails' work -- guitarist
Jeff Parker, a member of both AACM and
Tortoise, is part of the same general school of musicians that has infiltrated every level of the Chicago post-rock scene -- and although they don't sound that much like the
Coctails, a similar aesthetic seems to be at play.
Parker, drummer David Pavkovic, and bassist Tatsu Aoki have a similarly playful feel to their music, and a clear fondness for the likes of Creed Taylor's late-'60s work (the bossa nova-tinged "Seven," sounds like a tribute to Taylor's late-period albums with
Wes Montgomery), and the occasionally twee moments of the West Coast cool school. Not at all a visionary or exploratory record -- and anyone looking for the wilder free improv side of Atavistic had best look elsewhere --
Mirth + Feckless is coolly entertaining, effortlessly melodic pop-jazz, with just enough spikiness to stay out of the easy listening bins. ~ Stewart Mason