Cryptic Cadet is the duo of Mark Owen on keyboards and Cameron Tyler on drums, fleshed out for recording with Tim Lefebvre (bass), Matt Ascione (guitar) and most prominently Olivia Rubini on lead vocals, along with Ken “Fletch” Walcott on background vocals. Together, the assemblage crafts a heady sound incorporating jazzy riffs, great grooves and big beats.
Owen and Tyler also list production and engineering among their skills. The resulting recording is clean and colorful. Equal parts pop, rock and jazz, one reference point could be Eye to Eye, though Rubini’s voice isn’t as clear as Deborah Berg’s. Swing Out Sister might be another antecedent, but the songs don’t bear the same hooks. But like both those outfits, this is intelligent, well-crafted pop that harkens back to decades gone by while retaining a contemporary sheen.
“Darkness” may be the highlight of Disconnected. The anthemic nature of the tune is reinforced by the massed vocals on the chorus, while Mark Owen’s piano provides the propulsion and his synth adds to the instrumental layers supporting it. But it’s not the only strong song on Disconnected. The opening “Echoes,” “Passing” and “Rainy Day” all offer refined pop, with enough melody to keep the listener’s interest. The lattermost features Owen’s keyboards to great effect, with an outro synth solo that shows off his skills.
Cameron Tyler’s drumming is reminiscent of players like Jeff Porcaro, for whom groove was king. Seldom flashy, it’s always just right. Overall, Cryptic Cadet doesn’t sound like a couple songwriters putting together an album, but a great band recording.
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