Similar to the most recent release from fellow Chicagoans, Disappears, prog rock powerhouse CAVE reaches an exciting but wholly accessible height on its latest, Neverendless. But don’t be fooled by accesible. The new songs are definitely born from a psychedelic, trance-y, drone-y womb. Yet tonally, the production is quite bright, and the band trashes oft-used techniques like abrasive dynamics. Instead, CAVE opts for more friendly, organic structures.

The heady, new wave groove that kicks off “WUJ” at the album’s front is obviously expected to change gears. The obvious way would be some drastic departure at a sudden speed. Instead, the song chugs along taking the listener’s mind with it in a haze of peppy rhythms and frantic guitar work. A simple tap of a fuzz pedal leads the song to it’s next movement – a riffy and wailing rock jam. Simple, but so damn effective.

And while CAVE has used synths and keys in the past, not to this uber-melodic extent featured on Neverendless. The keyboard lines are simple, even delicate, but really drive the groovier tracks.

“Adam Roberts” might be the closest CAVE ever come to writing anything even remotely resembling a pop song. Coming in at a paltry (by CAVE standards) four minute and 13 seconds, its fuzzy bass pulse and quirky keys make it a legitimate body-mover. The Tribal drums at the start of “On The Rise” are completely hypnotic as it crawls to a noisy, chant-filled midsection.

Maybe the record’s most difficult-but-engaging movement, an epic monotonic drum and synth duel brings “This Is The Best” to a finish. “OJ” closes the record in dramatic fashion with swinging guitar and organ harmonies over funky cymbal play.

Neverendless at times sounds like a greatest hits record with no real lulls or low points. The songs brim with an urgency but don’t take themselves too seriously or ever feel heavy handed. The result is a brilliant exercise in thoughtful, powerful and accesible progressive rock.

LISTEN: Cave – “Adam Roberts”
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CAVE
6:00 p.m. Friday, September 16
Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements, Eckhart Park (Chicago Ave & Noble St.)
All Ages. $20.
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