Intimidated by free-form Jazz? Meet the Ordinaires, who offer modern discordance without tears. Expanding the convention-busting notions of New York's postrock avant-garde by defying the genre's own outré self-consciousness, these nine lighthearted iconoclasts dare to be both familiar and flaky on their fun-filled second album.

On One, the voiceless Ordinaires – armed with strings, horns, guitars, bass and drums – adapt jazz, rock and classical music, juxtaposing styles to make an imaginative, unpredictable mélange. Instrumental incongruity is a specialty; competing melodies dodge one another like cars at a busy intersection. Knowing that these players are skillful scarcely diminishes the occasional sonic impression of three different groups rehearsing simultaneously in one room.

The unexpected lurks around every corner on One. "Racing Thoughts" loudly paraphrases Hendrix's "Manic Depression" and features a prim chamber ensemble; "Brenda" alternates maniacal noise guitar and anxiety-inducing horns; a solemn clarinet solo briefly interrupts the carnival atmosphere of "Imelda." One ends with an almost sober rendition of Led Zeppelin's unsettling "Kashmir," in which only a skittering violin and the absence of vocals suggest any irreverent feelings toward the original. Fear of music? Leave it at the door. (RS 554)

IRA ROBBINS