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Ever since that night in New Orleans when three extremely talented individuals plugged in and played their first note together, we have all waited and wondered, "What could this all mean?" Was this just a fun little get together, a random alignment of talent to perform at the best music festival in the world or was it something more? Well we waited and found out soon enough that yes it was real, Trey Anastasio, Stewart Copeland and Les Claypool had formed a band and were taking it very seriously. And thus we are graced with the The Grand Pecking Order the long awaited release from Oysterhead.
At first listen, my ears were little bit surprised at what they heard, even a little dismayed. My anticipation was that the album would be more an experiment in groove and funk with Les slapping down danceable yet rockin’ bass lines and Trey ripping through adventurous solos while Copeland backs both of them with his reggae/rock influenced beats. However, I do not exist in the minds of these three musicians (to their benefit). This is the kind of album where once you’ve listened to it a few times you just start to get it; the style, the sound, the feel and I was glad it was not what I anticipated. "When all else has been done and said along comes Mr. Oysterhead." This catchy lyric from the self titled track "Mr Oysterhead" is what the concept this band is all about to me. It’s about breaking down the standards, doing the unexpected and throwing it out there to the masses. Yeah we all know what Trey, Les and Stewart have already accomplished but can’t there be more? Well that’s Oysterhead, love it or hate it these guys are gonna make some heads spin on their upcoming tour.
As far as the individual tracks are concerned they are all unique and interesting in their own way. There are some tracks where you feel as if you are caught in Les’s very strange mind, others surrounded by the comforts of Trey and of course others where the three of these guys produce magic. Highlights for this writer include, “Mr. Oysterhead," “Rubberneck Lions," “Radon Balloon," “Army’s on Ecstasy," “Birthday Boys," “Polka Dot Rose” and “Owner of the World.” There are definitely some low moments on this album where I feel the band gets themselves stuck in their own weirdness ("Wield the Space" and "Shadow of a Man"). Yet on a whole, the album has more than its share of excellent tunes and when I sit back and think how they will all play out live, you just know its gonna be special (go to Oysterhead.com to watch video footage).
I highly recommend this disc for anyone who is not stuck in the “when is Phish coming back” frame of mind. These guys won’t make that pain go away, but what it does provide is some new mind candy for your brain to trip over. Enjoy!
Evan Cohen
JamBase | NYC
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