Pterodactyl’s self-titled 2007 debut album established the band as one of the more interesting entries in the field of Pacific Northwestern indie-psych. Worldwild keeps that reputation intact with an adventurous foray down trails blazed by the likes of Sunny Day Real Estate and Built to Spill. What sets them apart from their ever-broadening circle of peers is the presence of a superstar.

There are plenty of talented musicians in Pterodactyl, but Matt Marlin’s drum work is in a class by itself. His sound is so versatile and distinctive that it could easily become the focal point of the music. Instead, the group finds ingenious, engaging ways to incorporate Marlin’s beats without limiting his range. “Rising & Shining,” for instance, kicks off the album with a sparse but dexterous drumbeat, soon to be joined by a groaning, distorted guitar and some Perry Farrell-esque vocalization. The song follows an odd start-and-stop structure that allows Marlin to set the pace without stealing the spotlight.

On other tracks, Marlin lays down a powerful beat while his bandmates take an entirely different direction. “Alex,” for instance, pairs a rapid, tribal beat with quiet, delicate string work and a whispery chant. The manic drumming on “No Sugar” verges on jazz territory, while the guitar and synth hew closer to jangly psychedelia. The album’s closer “One with Everyone,” welds a blazing punk beat and screeching guitars with some surprisingly smooth vocal harmonization.

All of this intentional dissonance works in Pterodactyl’s favor, creating a complex, invigorating sound that captures the lunatic energy of a well-made mash-up. Even when the group sticks a little closer to the recognizable, as on the radio-ready “December,” Worldwild maintains the aura of a band that truly knows both where it wants to go and the little-traveled avenues it will have to take to get there.

Recommended Tracks: “December,” “One with Everyone,” “Rising & Shining”

-Ira Brooker