Madison’s The Selfish Gene has been in my peripheral since they released their first full length Self-Defeating Human Beings. I enjoyed what I heard on that first release, felt they well deserved their MAMA nominations and victories, but they never managed to cut me off in traffic and make me pay full attention. That all changes with The Grand Masquerade as they veer front and center and make me slam on my brakes.

In the evolution of this band that takes their name from the title of Richard Dawkins’ 1976 book, this is a step toward their very own Great Leap Forward. On the new disc they continue their musical examination of human nature targeting their disinfecting lyrical sunshine on “deception” and “doublespeak.” A band that name drops the world’s leading no-nonsense atheist, keeps with that theme by hitting on atheism at war ("Foxhole"), and targets the dark secrets hidden under the everyday human and governmental masks (multiple songs) should come off as pretentious and dispensable. Somehow, they manage to address all of the above and more, while making it sound like they are having fun.

The Selfish Gene are unashamed of their progressive rock roots with obvious nods to Electric Light Orchestra, the Moody Blues, and early Genesis – but at the same time evoke a style similar to the more recent Big Star or current artists like the Glands and the Shins. In fact, it wasn’t until I heard this album from The Selfish Gene that I realized just how prog rock The Shins often can be.

The three part harmonies will draw you in, the lyrics will make you pay attention, and the instrumentation will keep you glued. While not always perfect, the track “Bad About It” stands out as one of the weaker links, The Grand Masquerade stands erect while suggesting greater things to come – like, maybe, mutant powers.

The Grand Masquerade hits music stores on May 1, but Madisonians can snag a copy early at the Orpheum Stage Door on April 28. The Selfish Gene will be joined by Chicago's The 1900s and Porcupine from LaCrosse, Wis.

Sample Track: The Selfish Gene :: Autopilot
Website: www.theselfishgene.com