Mussel Music

uestion: What do these three bands have in common: Phish, Primus and The Police?

Answer: Besides all beginning with the letter "P," not a whole hell of a lotÉ.

That is, until now. Presenting the newest--and perhaps strangest--musical collaboration in the industry today: Oysterhead, a three-piece ensemble that, at first glance, has all the chemistry of Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie, with less in common. Luckily, Oysterhead doesn't contain any members related to the King of Pop or Rock and Roll. It does, however, bring together three powerhouses from three drastically different genres to create one all-purpose super-group. Sure it's a motley crew (and, no, no one from Mstley CrYe is in the band, either), but it just might work.

To understand Oysterhead's sound, you have to examine its members and their original groups: Trey Anastasio of Phish, Les Claypool of Primus and Stewart Copeland of The Police. Take the Phish jam-band vibe and mix it with Primus' eerie avant-noise style and factor in that progressive Police pop, and voila! You have no idea what the hell Oysterhead's new album, The Grand Pecking Order, sounds like. Sorry, folks. This one's a tough call.

Oysterhead's style is the unique combination of these three acts tossed in a blender set on purZe. All the ingredients are still there, but they're not quite identifiable anymore. The unchecked experimentation of a true concept band runs rampant as galactic rhythms, sonar beeps, and full-blown psychedelic funk collide with vibrant, surreal acoustic grooves, creating a richly textured musical tapestry. Starting to get a better grasp of the basic gist of Oysterhead? Yeah, me neither.

If you really want to know, give it a listen. "Radon Balloon" is a self-proclaimed "acoustic dreamscape" that sounds somewhat Phish-y. "Shadow of a Man" and "Wield the Spade," two dark and disturbing chant-filled tracks, might make your skin crawl a little (in a good way), and the simple, repetitive lyrics of "Mr. Oysterhead" catch on quickly. The real pearl in this oyster, however, is "Army's on Ecstasy," a trippy, up-tempo tribal march.

One warning: Just like its slimy, shelled namesake, Oysterhead may be an acquired taste. As with any experimental music, it's probably all or nothing. Depending on how musically open-minded or adventurous you are, you'll either turn up your nose or suck 'em down like there's no tomorrow.

Who knows how long these three accomplished egos can coexist in this psychedelic side project, but who cares? Collaborations are fun. (Remember the Traveling Wilburys?) Maybe that's the best part--no one really needs this band or the money--so there's more freedom and less tension. Just enjoy for now, and let Oysterhead take you on an (acid) trip like never before.