OYSTERHEAD - THE GRAND PECKING ORDER

Oysterhead - The Grand Pecking Order (2001)
My mind damn near exploded when I found discovered this gem during my junior year of high school. At the time, I was really into Phish and Primus, and...well, for someone who likes those bands, this album's something of a mindfuck.

With Primus' Les Claypool on bass (slip slap slap-ing the shit out of those strings), The Police's Stewart Copland (who lays down some tight pockets), and Phish's Trey Anastasio (who, at what was undoubtably an oxy-ed out low point, hits a home run), this is the power trio to end all power trios. Each member is undoubtably a master of their instrument, and with this one-off side project, they really stretch out quite a bit.

What immediately makes the album stick out is the lovely, lush, colorful production. Claypool and Anastasio's past studio albums tend to stick to what they can do live--both have masterpieces under their belts, but "The Grand Pecking Order" is very much a departure. Full of overdubs, rich textures (thanks largely in part to The Matterhorn, Anastasio's custom guitar with--get this--a fuckin' theremin made out of fuckin' antlers attached to the side), and silly voices, the album is light enough for constant listening but complex enough to listen to constantly. That's right, I fucking went there.

Anyways, even if you're one of those snobs who won't touch jam bands with a ten-foot-pole, I implore you to give this a listen. Or I'll poke you with my ten-foot-pole.

"When all else has been done and said / you best look out for Mr. Oysterhead!"


Thank You. I really enjoyed this album
When is a supergroup not a supergroup? When it's stellar members don't tote along the sonic baggage of their former groups into their new collective endeavor. In that spirit, it's time for the world to meet Oysterhead. This power trio consists of Police drummer Stewart Copeland, Primus bassist/vocalist Les Claypool, and Phish guitarist/Jerry Garcia of the Gen-X set Trey Anastasio. Whether fans of these gents' former bands are impressed that THE GRAND PECKING ORDER doesn't rehash former glories, or disappointed that echoes of great bands past can't be heard to their satisfaction, Oysterhead must be given their due. There's not even a trace of rock-star pomposity to be found in these tunes, which are defined by quirky, often-humorous lyrics, and slippery, funky grooves that make the most out of Copeland's superhuman polyrhythms and Claypool's wide variety of bass tones. For diehard Primus fans, there's probably more of Claypool's past at work in the sound than that of the other members, but Oysterhead is still very much it's own group.

Recorded at The Barn, Vermont in April 2001.

Audio Mixer: Toby Wright.

Recording information: The Barn, VT (04/2001).

Photographer: Danny Clinch.

Oysterhead: Trey Anastasio (vocals, guitar); Les Claypool (vocals, bass); Stewart Copeland (drums).
Trk Song Time Price
1 Little Faces   4:55
2 Oz Is Ever Floating
3 Mr. Oysterhead 4:51
4 Shadow Of A Man 3:45
5 Radon Balloon
6 Army's On Ecstasy   4:30
7 Rubberneck Lions 5:16
8 Polka Dot Rose 3:10
9 Birthday Boys 3:05
10 Wield the Spade 5:49
11 Pseudo Suicide  4:52
12 Grand Pecking Order   2:34
13 Owner of the World

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