Home Read Classic Album Review: Oysterhead | The Grand Pecking Order

Classic Album Review: Oysterhead | The Grand Pecking Order

Sadly, the jam-rock supergroup's music isn’t nearly as impressive as their resumés.

This came out in 2001 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):

 


No, not Oysterband. This is Oysterhead — an alt-rock jam-band supergroup featuring Primus bassist Les Claypool, Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio and Police drummer Stewart Copeland.

Creatively kinred spirits they may be, but sadly, their music isn’t nearly as impressive as their resumés. The 13 eclectic cuts that comprise Grand Pecking Order feature the sort of loosey-goosey arrangements, open-ended structures and hey-listen-to-me overplaying that suggests the boys just plugged in, started jamming and let the tape roll — then went back and filled in some solos and lyrics that make about as much sense as the band’s name. Naturally, the musicianship is impressive. Even so, using this sort of talent to toss off second-rate Zappaesque buffoonery just proves not all supergroups live up to the handle. Shucks.

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