I still remember my very first encounter with As Tall As Lions. I was a seasoned music vet at that point, having heard a little bit of everything from all kinds of bands.

So, when “Into The Flood,” a song off an EP of the same name was released about two years ago, I was shocked by what I heard. ATAL fits no mold, and its music is something special.

Immediately when you hear a band, you can almost immediately peg them in with another band. After listening to “Into The Flood” though, I could do no such thing, and that’s an exciting feeling as a music fan.

ATAL’s sound is a very rich, textural one. The band members are definitely true artisans, ones that look to push and break at any chance they get.

There is a heavy sense of experimentation, but with a pop music boundary, so the songs are not only interesting, but also meant to sing along to. This all came across in that one song.

“Into The Flood” opened the floodgates for me as I scrambled to find more from the band. Each song ATAL I listened to thereafter had a similar tone that dipped between all sorts of moods.

They range from head rocking anthems (“Break Blossom”), shivering gentle melodies (“Ghost of York”), subtle introspection (“Milk and Honey”) and glowing heart warmers (“Love, Love, Love”). That last one will steal your heart away, I promise.

As Tall As Lions’ latest release, “You Can’t Take It With You,” proves to be just as flexible. From the shimmering “Circles” to the mighty “In Case of Rapture,” the album took me all over the map, and was a fun journey throughout.

The ride will continue tonight at the Opolis when ATAL comes to town with locals Berkeley to D.C. and Map the Sea supporting.

Members of Map the Sea were thrilled for the opportunity to open for a band they have admired for a while now.

“We have definitely been big fans of As Tall As Lions for the last couple of years,” said Joe Rigazzi, the band’s basist. “Their musical talent, innovation and strong work ethic set a good example for all aspiring bands.

Rigazzi seems to mirror my musical admiration of the band as well.

“As Tall As Lions is just an awesome indie-rock band,” Rigazzi said. “[Its] rhythm section is tight and the over all tonality of [lead singer] Dan Nigro’s voice is extremely original, as well as aurally appealing.”

Map the Sea happens to share that poppy sense of experimentation with ATAL, though it seems to be no accident as it is one of the band’s top influences. Its song “The Day I Planned” glows like stars viewed from beneath the ocean as it swims along the current.

Fellow opener, Berkeley to D.C., haS bubbly pop tunes with gorgeous weaving melodies and bouncy guitar strolls that draw comparisons to Death Cab For Cutie.

So, with two great locals and a band that is pushing the musical envelope, there is really nowhere else to be on Thursday evening, especially considering that ATAL is notorious for some stellar live shows.

But if you can’t make it to the show tonight, don’t fret. It will be making two more appearances in Oklahoma in 2009; first on Oct. 24 at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa and again on the 27th at the Diamond Ballroom in Oklahoma City. Both shows are in support of the equally exciting MUTEMATH.