“What kind of music does Rob Crow play” is a question that stumped us more than once when we told people we were going to his show at the Rock and Roll Hotel on Sunday. Umm… indie rock? That doesn’t really tell you much, does it? How about math-rock? Alt-metal? Prog-rock? All of the above?

Crow’s music is so difficult to classify because he’s something of a whiz-kid, with too many side projects to keep track of. We went to see him because we love him as half of electronicy-pop duo Pinback, but discovered that last night’s audience contained many who were fans of his work with Optiganally Yours, Thingy, Heavy Vegetable, the Ladies, Aspects of Physics, or just plain old, unadulterated Rob Crow. He’s been criticized for lacking focus, and people who love one of his bands feel almost betrayed when he veers off in other directions. In a nod to the rancor he inspires, Crow’s merch table featured stickers and tee-shirts emblazoned with the words, “I HATE YOU ROB CROW,” which is also the name of a song on his latest solo album, Living Well. But given the turnout of 60-plus people on a frigid Sunday night, it’s safe to say that there’s a whole lotta love for Rob Crow.