A streamlined amalgam of Philadelphia’s most criminally underrated bands, Frisky or Trusty conjure the majesty, craftsmanship and volatility of the era before indie rock became synonymous with car commercials. Weaned on Polvo, Archers of Loaf and Nick Drake—whose 1972 acoustic classic “Road” is brilliantly reimagined as a propulsive, sinister full-band charge—the four-piece has the chops to compose whatever they please, but the populist instinct to deliver memorable, kick-ass songcraft. Brian Ziprin’s arpeggiated dreamscapes interweave seamlessly with vocalist Janet Kim’s serrated rhythm riffage, while rhythm section Pete Anagnos (bass) and Jahan Lackpour (drums) fearlessly steer the songs into rewarding obtuse angles. Having shared time in the likes of Aquila Rose, Evil Janet, South Congress, Kim, Elevator Parade and Adam Acuragi, Frisky or Trusty (moniker derived from the trippy animated cult classic Fantastic Planet) are almost ready to blow your minds with their dynamic self-titled debut LP, recorded this summer and fall at Philly’s own Uniform Recording.
