Today's Top Stop: Green Milk's Progressive Rock

Map It:  U Street-Cardozo 

"PROGRESSIVE ROCK IS NOT DEAD," claims Green Milk From the Planet Orange on their latest album cover -- and once you listen to this energetic Tokyo trio you will understand why. Like its name, Green Milk's songs are chaotic and lengthy -- the longest running almost 40 minutes -- but within those rambling works, the band brings fresh sounds to the revived progressive-rock scene.

The group's three members, dead K, A and T came together in 2001 and have since released two full-length albums and various other singles. They have received rave reviews both at home and in the U.S. for their dynamic mix of electric jazz, psychadelia and explosive guitar solos. The focus is mainly on instrumentals, which will come as a relief if you're unfortunate enough to hear the abrasive vocals of dead K. Tonight's show at DC9 show is part of their jam-packed U.S. tour in which they play 40 shows in a little under seven weeks throughout May and June, so you want to be sure and catch them before they go back to Japan and most likely return to the studio.

For those unaccustomed to neo-progressive rock, Green Milk may not be your cup of tea, but its music could provide a fiery awakening for someone seeking relief from the mainstream. The band's not actually from another planet, but Green Milk is probably unlike anything you've ever heard.
» DC9, 1940 9th St. NW; 9:30 p.m., $8; 202-483-5000. (U St-Cardozo)

This post was written by Express contributor Vanessa Joyce