According to local band Leisure Colony, rock music has become so fragmented that even its subgenres are too nebulous to be defined.

"Forty years ago, if you said that you were in a rock band, it was clearer, because the genre was newer," says Leisure Colonist Paolo Menuez. "It's grown and spawned subgenres to the point where the subgenres have become bona fide genres. This fragmentation will continue exponentially. Indie rock, too, used to be defined by a distribution system, but now major label bands are categorized as 'indie rock.' And it certainly isn't a style, because indie rock could be equally applicable to an instrumental electronic band, a folk-influenced band, maybe not even a band at all."

So, rather than worry about all of these discursions and distinctions, Menuez and his mates have decided to forge ahead, crafting new sounds from their disparate backgrounds and influences.

The band was born at Hampshire College, where each of its five members is either a student or alumnus. The group features former Episcopal choir boy Menuez on guitar and keys; former electronic-obsessed laptop composer Martin Zimmerman on guitar; former concert violinist Dave Herr on guitar; and Josh Paul on drums. And then there is the curious case of Henry White.

Menuez says that when White was a child, he would mimic the "ubiquitous lawnmower drones of his native Longview, Texas." His parents soon realized that young Henry was able to recreate them at will. Though he was initially diagnosed with autism, it turned out that Henry had perfect pitch. Menuez claims this affinity for those low frequencies inspired White to take up the electric bass.

Other than Paul, all members contribute vocals to Leisure Colony tunes, which are filled with harmonies and lush voice arrangements, along with layers of guitar. Despite an aversion to categorization, the band describes its sound as "psychedelic soft rock," an aesthetic apparent in swirling, Pink Floyd-meets-Animal Collective numbers like "Golden Boy" and "Feast for the Gods."

Leisure Colony credits a variety of sources for inspiration, from Lindsey Buckingham to hip-hop to minimalist composer and pioneer La Monte Young.

The band has taken advantage of its short time together to record a slew of tunes, and is pushing for a proper album release and subsequent tour later this year.

For songs and shows, visit myspace.com/leisurecolony.