I've heard some serious genre-blending in my time, but I must admit I missed out on prog folk. That is, what if CSN and Yes decided to combine all of their smoothest, tastiest and most excessive elements into something with the acoustic impact of yacht rock--but actually standing firmly in opposition. Rob Massard spins lengthy (five minutes or longer) pieces that would have clocked in at a sharp 2:30 if played by Pete Seeger. But for Massard, the music is as much the message as the lyrics.

Rob Massard Dld Soul (self-released)

Your miles with this will vary depending on your appreciation of extensive vocal overdubs and prog guitar mixed in with more traditional folk elements. This isn't a Grateful Dead-like rock and jazz exploration of roots music. This is a fusion of highly pretentious musical traditions that really have no right working well together. Except that Massard has tapped into the curiosity behind those pretensions and makes sure every song retains a sense of wonder.

There is a sense of the familiar in these songs, but once Massard takes flight, it's apparent how close he's flying to the sun. These songs could (and probably should) descend into a muddy morass of keyboards, orchestral synths, layer-upon-layer of vocals and general whatnot. It takes a very deft hand to balance all of the over-the-top stuff Massard includes, and he's managed the task. Somehow, he lands the plane every time.

This is almost precisely the sort of album I routinely dismiss as cheesy nonsense. But Massard's soul is apparent from the very beginning, and that human element remains even as these songs take on more and more. I wasn't familiar with prog folk, and I imagine that my forthcoming foray into it (inspired by this album) will prove disappointing. Massard's ambition and restraint are perfectly balanced. Very few have that discipline. Luckily, we can surf his wonder.

Jon Worley