What are we to do with noise-rock? I suppose ‘listen to it with an open mind’ is one option. Or you can write off the entire genre altogether. Hey, it’s your call!

Okay, maybe we all do it. Everyone is close-minded in some aspects, right? I don’t give that much of my attention to rap-rock. Then again, I probably wouldn’t take it upon myself to review a rap-rock album.

Let’s assume you’ve gone with option A and not completely closed the door on a vast catalog of music that goes back some fifty years or more. This brings us to the newest cassette release from the Kalamazoo/Chicago-based Already Dead Tapes.

What’s important to understand before you pop in “Escape From the Planet of Llamas” is that Forget the Times is a band attempting to turn music on its head, to take from elements of rock, psychedelic, free-jazz, noise, and other experimental forms in order to create something that sounds atypical. The songs this Kalamazoo band creates are largely improvisational, often only beginning with an agreed upon key. From there, it is up to the whims of the three guitarists, Peter Cook, Sean Hartman, and Benji Myers and drummer Jarad Selner what happens next. The four musically free-associate and play off each other for an undetermined period of time and then end when it feels natural.

This isn’t exactly revolutionary. Many, many artists over the years have decided to take this or a similar approach in creating their music. To say that you’ve heard nothing like this before would reveal an ignorance of a sub-genre even greater than that of myself, a relative novice in the world of noise and noise-rock – especially when compared with the progenitors of “Escape,” who certainly aren’t afraid to wear their influences proudly. Track four exemplifies this clearly as the title, ‘Fly V Gtr Made of Real Live Honking Geese,’ is a direct nod to experimental superhero Captain Beefheart and what he himself described as his biggest musical influence.

Making sonic connections like this is part of what makes listening to this tape fun for me. The opening track, ‘Early Morning Rabbit Hole,’ seems aptly titled with its frantic, alarm-like tones. Wonderful visuals can be concocted when listening to ‘Deinonychus Dreamland’ or ‘Here Comes the Wolfman,’ though none of this association is absolutely necessary to appreciate what’s going on here.

What is essential is to keep an open-mind. Forget the Times aren’t claiming to reinvent the wheel. But it’s interesting to hear where these individuals personally want to take music as members of the newest generation of noise-rock architects. Plus, you’ve got to appreciate the audacity of those willing to devote themselves to a relatively unpopular niche genre.

“Escape From the Planet of Llamas” comes in an attractive package to boot. I’ve got to hand it to the budding tape and record label for coming up with such instantly intriguing album art and for the super sleek choice of translucent dark blue cassettes. Everything about this makes me want it.

Look out for this album whenever Forget the Times is around to play a show. You can pick it up for cheap. And keep your ears pricked up for their next release on vinyl. These folks keep themselves busy.