Revel in Blesst Chest's Pretzel-Shaped Prog Rock on "Yes Minus Three"

"I hear the desperation of the Everyman… but also his ability to Cope through EXXXTREME RIFFAGE!!!" says Stephen Malkmus.

By Matthew Singer

Blesst Chest is the trio of Jay Winebrenner, Darrell Bourque and Jake Morris, whose collective history includes such mid-aughts Portland luminaries as the Jicks, 31Knots and the Joggers. But that pedigree doesn't really give you an idea of what to expect from this collaboration, which has been playing around town for a few years and is just now getting around to releasing their debut album. Initially selling themselves as '70s-styled instrumental prog-rockers, "Yes Minus Three," from the upcoming Wish We Were There, finds the group tying itself into many different knots, eventually unraveling into the kind of bent robo-groove plied by Battles and Portland's own Mascaras.

Wish We Were There arrives July 29 through XRAY Records. It should be rad, but don't take my word for it: The inimitable Stephen Malkmus has penned a spirited endorsement of Blesst Chest and the album, which you can read below.

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