Bob Green, the composer/conceptualist/braintrust behind The Grassy Knoll, prefers his music to be shelved under “rock” in music stores. He should know better. The outfit’s second Antilles release, Positive (Antilles 49:13) is more than a few steps ahead of corporate rock “wisdom,” arguably the most adventurous rock album of 1996 (“arguably,” to Vernon Reid and Beck supporters). Green has added more guitar work to this disc-see the breakbeat metal of the disc-opening “Black Helicopters” and the slacker funk of “Slow Steady Salvation.” But the textures are just part of an often maddeningly diverse procession of sounds and instrumental touches-everything from analog keyboards to live brass and dub-influenced bass (“Roshwell Crash”). If this is where modern rock is heading, it’s time to start hopping on the train.
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