Oysterhead
This is a really interesting band as well as an interesting album. I never thought I would see the day when three of my favorite musicians would come together and make such a great album. This album is very reminiscent of Primus and other Claypool side projects like Colonel Claypool's Bucket Of Bernie Brains which I have yet to get around to reviewing yet. A warning before you listen to this album: You probably wont be too happy about the album if you dont like Les Claypool's vocals. I admit they are not the greatest, but I love them and they are an acquireable taste to some.
The Band ~
Trey Anastasio ~ Guitar, Vocals
Les Claypool ~ Bass, Vocals
Stewart Copeland ~ Drums
The Tracks ~
1) Little Faces ~ This song kicks off this album and really shows how awsome it really is. The intro of instrumentals is sick. I love it so much. The drum intro sounds awsome. The bass riff and the eerie background noises sound so cool. Then you hear Trey come in with a muffled voice, with the addition of Claypool at the chorus. The bass playing comes its highest level on this song right after the chorus and it what you expect of Claypool, one of the best in the business. The guitar work towards the end of the song is also really well done. 4.5/5
2) Oz Is Ever Floating ~ This intro sounds like a complicated Police riff at first then it progresses into a really cool song. The vocals on this song are a high point on the album. Trey does a great job and his guitar work is also exceptional. This is probably one of my favorite songs on the album and it is also one of the shortest at 2:49. 5/5
3) Mr. Oysterhead ~ This song is a very psychedelic song. Well, isn't the whole album? Anywayz. This song is kickin. The bass and guitar solos at the end are really interesting and it really shows how well these three under-rated musicians have come together. 4/5
4) Shadow Of A Man ~ Primus or what? This song sounds like a classic primus song. Copeland's drumming is very reminiscent of Mantia's or Alexander's. This is a very cool song as well and reminds me of Too Many Puppies just a little bit. Not my favorite because it sounds like its right off a Primus album but I still like it. 3/5
5) Radon Balloon ~ On the other hand, this song sounds as if it is straight out of the Phish archives. I like this song alot, despite the long 45 second intro. But once the song kicks in, it gets better. The acoustic sound fits really well and the chimes sound really cool. 3/5
6) Army's On Ecstasy ~ This song kicks off so amazingly. I love that bass that Les is pounding right from the start. The effected guitar and Copeland's drumming abilities come out really good as well. The lyrics are Claypool inspired and they sound really good and funny. "The Army's on ecstasy so they say. I read all about it in USA Today. They stepped up urine testing to make it go away. 'Cause it's hard to kill the enemy on ol' MDMA." The solo's towards the end all sound wonderful and the song ends on such a high note. 4.5/5
7) Rubberneck Lions ~ This is one of the slower paced songs on the disc. The bass riff is very layed-back. When Trey comes in it sounds really cool though. The guitar solo is nice and it is basically a jam for the rest of the song. A mellower song but I like it. 3.5/5
8) Polka Dot Rose ~ To me this song is the worst on the album. Thats not saying its bad. But I just dont like how it sounds. Its kind of slow and it has Claypool/Anastasio vocal combination throughout the whole song. 2/5
9) Birthday Boys ~ Can you say Phish? This sounds like it could be right off of Billy Breathes. It is an acoustic song. I dont really like it too much because it is not Oysterhead at all. You barely hear both Claypool and Copeland the whole time. 2/5
10) Wield The Spade ~ This is a very odd song. I usually dont like these kinda trippy songs, but this is kinda cool with Trey's distorted vocals and then Les's. The drumming is nice and the bass is repetitive but it is the longest song on the album. 3/5
11) Psuedo Suicide ~ Here we go again. Back to the fast paced rock out songs. The drums sound awsome and the noises in bacck sound sweet. I love this song and at the two minute mark it turns really cool. This is a great song. 4/5
12) The Grand Pecking Order ~ Sounds very similiar to the song "Here Come The Bastards" off of Sailing The Seas Of Cheese by Primus. Its not the best of the album but very repetitive and annoying towards the end. 2/5
13) Owner Of The World ~ WOW! What a great way to kick off the end of the album. This song is great and really sums up this band and how it fits perfectly together. Great songwriting and great vocals and instrumentals. I LOVE OYSTERHEAD! 4/5
This really is a great portrayal of a great supergroup. Although it is not for everyone, I think this is a really fun album and everyone should check out some of it. I know my review can very pessimistic towards the Primus oriented and the Phish oriented songs, bu this is only because this is a collaboration of bands and not a continuation of old bands. Anyway. I love this album and pick it up!!!
Average Score ~ 3.19
My Score ~ 4!!!
