Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto play bass and drums, respectively, for King Crimson—or at least, they do this week, because with Crimson, one never knows. Markus Reuter plays a stick guitar he designed himself. Levin plays bass, the Chapman stick—the gold standard of touch guitars, which can play three or four different musical parts at once—and anything else he feels like. The Stick Men’s new album is Prog Noir. So, not surprisingly, the mood’s murky, thick, stew makings tossed on a cold stove, but occasionally—gasp—a bit funky. Aliens in our midst giving away the hidden agenda. Hint: We don’t have much longer to enjoy ourselves, so cherish sunrises and hug mama while mama’s still a mammal. ANDREW HAMLIN