I don’t like the word “epic” — it’s worn and pedestrian and often misused in much the way “incredible” and “awesome” are. But it’s wrong to blame the words. People’s inability to use them correctly neuters them in times when it’s the exact word needed to convey the properties of a particular item.

So this is my problem: Epic is the word to describe Hands of Time, the latest release by Los Angeles’ The Janks, but I fear using it makes me the boy who cried wolf. “Epic,” I can hear you say, “how many times have I heard that before? Is it awesome too?”

Let me explain. Epics are long and grand and adventurous, primed to elicit certain glories of the past. Checking in at 14 songs in 53 minutes (long), Hands of Time evokes Queen, Steely Dan, Radiohead and The Veils (grand, past) while employing elements of Americana, classic rock, reggae and blues (adventurous). It’s unlike any musical stew I’ve ever heard and I’m not sure what I think —except I’m constantly intrigued listen after listen.

It was a hard sell at first, as the opening “Hands of Time” is cliche in the worst ’70s way, with an interplay of acoustic guitar and strings which borders on comical. There’s a point where sounds like interlude music between circus acts.

But the tracks quickly become sturdier and rhythmic – the haunting “Billy The Kid” and it’s perfectly placed slide guitar, the well-paced “Dead Man” and it’s Lynyrd Skynyrd choruses (weird but enchanting). Complete surprise.

The middle three songs – “Rat Racers,” “Separation From Your Body” and “Demon Dance” – show The Janks’ staking a claim of pure ingenuity. “Rat Racers” has it all – churning reggae beats, frantic guitar solos, and a Who-like grandness in lyrics and stature. “Separation From Your Body” does it’s best Steely Dan impersonation without becoming ordinary (singer Zack Zmed even comes off a little like Donald Fagen), while “Demon Dance” is driving and modern, capturing a sound Jack White made into a staple. It’s 15 minutes of music which never becomes rote.

I would say the band could use some editing – “Drama King’s Ball” is tedious while “When I Was A Kid” and “Get Outta Town” mirror one another too closely – but I somehow wonder if editing would take away from the lavish production of it all.  It’s what makes make the album so epic.

Which is awesome. Totally awesome.