Screedom rock

Some people think The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway was the apotheosis of early Genesis, while others point to its convoluted concept and lack of self-editing as evidence of mid-'70s prog bloat. Everybody's right, of course. But I especially love the humble little masterpieces hiding in its corners. Like this workout for the outer reaches of Tony Banks's technique. Coupled with a slinky/gawky 9/8 groove, you've got a strange little specimen from an unexplored world.

Genesis — Riding The Scree

Battles lost

Time to party like it's 2007. I remember being so excited that the dorky dudes of Battles might be actual rock stars as they rode the wave of their supremely confident and accomplished debut album. What's more, that album seemed to point the way to an ascendance of adventurous "music-music" as a legit pop paradigm. Alas, time passed. The air leaked out of the tires, Ty Braxton left the band, and their follow-up album passed in my rearview without much notice. Having done a recent fly-through, I don't regret not paying attention.

I know that the unstoppable "Atlas" track mostly made their reputation, but this one seemed like the electrifying radio hit in the aforementioned alt reality of an experimental rock world takeover. Hopefully, they will live to fight more battles.

Battles - Snare Hanger

I realized my fists were clenched

Robert Wyatt and his cozily alien voice make another welcome appearance on the 'blague. I recently busted out his Shleep record and was reminded of why it's good to keep albums around that you suspect might grow on you. While not the spirit triumph of Rock Bottom, it's a beautiful and weird cycle of sleepy-brained tunes apparently inspired by their creator's insomnia. Good enough that two specimens are warranted. The first was co-written with Eno, and its jaunty, gentlemanly funk gives has that signature all over it. The second is more late-nite in its texture, and I can see the camera slowly pulling back above the spiral staircase as the protagonist shrinks to a shaky point.

Robert Wyatt - Heaps Of Sheeps

Robert Wyatt - Out Of Season

Yes, have another

Oh yes, it's time. For Yes. How about Yes getting all minimal. Huh? Yes. It took a strange marriage with the Buggles to get them there, but here it is. When will the proggers understand you can still get all fancy inside of 2 minutes if only you let out the hot air?

And what's with the lyrics? Modern, spare. What band is this again? I've heard that the song's about Gary Numan driving around in his car. This is what happens when Jon Anderson gets off the bus.

Yes - White Car

For those of you who don't consider Drama to be an actual Yes album, here's a sweet little jam tucked in between the epics of their classic period.

Yes - A Venture