Before the Shins, Rob Crow and other 90s heroes of a similar bent were out of short pants, Young Marble Giants released Colossal Youth and then promptly disappeared. Main songwriter Stuart Moxham has written and recorded sporadically since then (most often as The Gist, which contained members of YMG and many other collabotors), but a lot of that output has been gathering dust.

Stuart Moxham Fabstract (Tiny Global Productions)

Now, with a new Moxham solo set for release, this 12-song collection rambles through the last four decades of Moxham's work. Always off-kilter, Moxham doesn't really stick to a style. Rather, he tackles personal ideas with an intricate and semi-abstract approach. Most of the production here is minimalist, but there are a few moments of lush glee as well.

Hard to believe that Moxham has been at this since 1980. And while YMG remains relatively unknown, the impact of Colossal Youth can't be overstated. These are certainly odds and ends (some very odd), but Moxham's whimsical touch is always enchanting.

Young Marble Giants didn't invent this sound, and despite the relative success of Colossal Youth, it's more seminal than anything. But even if this weren't a revealing historical compilation, the music itself is truly intriguing. Let's hope Moxham's new set lives up to the promise shown here.

Jon Worley