One of the things that tends to deter me from music with the "experimental" label is that it too frequently has a tendency to spiral out into free jazz journeys with no end in sight. My roots are too entrenched in pop construction for me to have much patience for 20-minute explorations. Toyboat Toyboat Toyboat never feel like they're noodling. Their avant-pop ditties are high on unorthodox instrumentation and off-the-wall ideas, but it all feels like it's in its right place. Of particular interest is the inclusion of a member who plays the Quintron, which is a rare synthesizer that functions off of exposure to light. It's propulsive, screwy music that lets things get experimental while always reassuring you that a sure, crazy hand is behind it all.

TOYBOAT TOYBOAT TOYBOAT, w/ Power Skeleton, Trueno, Tummler and Solomon, Rexx, 8 p.m., Bob's Java Jive, 2102 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, $5, 253.475.9843