The Big Dig (Smithsonian Institution Blues)

Listening to Captain Beefheart's Lick My Decals Off, wondering if music has been battening down its hatches since 1970. The delicious blend of focus and play here is hard to imagine in the 2011 U.S.A. Did music lose its nerve, give up in frustration? We've had some pretty hot tantrums, soothing lullabyes and quick fixes of fun since then. But what aims or feels this high? What traces such an utterly wild arc?

This may be premature but if I'm wrong you can just say it's the first time I was happy to be confused, singin the Smithsonian Institute Blues/All you new dinosaurs now it's up to you to choose/'fore your feet hit the tar you better kick off them old shoes.
-- "The Smithsonian Institute Blues (Or The Big Dig)"