SOUNDTRACK: OYSTERHEAD-The Grand Pecking Order (2001).
This is a really fun album. Despite the three big personalities here–Trey Anastasio, Steward Copeland, Les Claypool, they work so well together. Some songs feel like Phish songs (Trey has a song or two that is just him), some feel like Les songs (ditto for Claypool), but you never feel like they are trying to outdo each other. And of course Stewart Copeland plays his great drums all the way through.
Les and Trey share vocals on “Little Face” which features Phish sound effects and some great Les wild bass. “Oz is Ever Floating” has jam feel–lots of soloing. Unlike some of Les’ projects though, on many of the songs, like this one, his bass fits right in. And the vocal harmonies from all three sound great in the chorus.
“Mr. Oysterhead” is a fun song with Les’ wild bass sounds. This one feels kind of Primus like but with very different guitar sounds coming along. This even has a big ol’ bass solo. “Shadow of a Man is very Primus sounding–it was written entirely by Claypool and is primarily bass with some smattering of (wicked) guitars). While “Radon Balloon” is a pretty acoustic number from Trey. He sings gently (and if Les’ bass is there, it’s very subtle).
“Army’s on Ecstasy” has Les’ more cartoony voices, but some interesting jazz guitars and drums. “Rubberneck Lions” is a fantastic song, one of the most Phish like songs on the disc (even if Les sings the first verse–it’s the chorus that screams Phish). It’s got a rocking ending with great drums. “Polka Dot Rose” has some fun group vocals at the end of the song.
“Birthday Boys” is another very Phish seeming song–very Trey influenced–some great guitar picking and subtle work from the other two guys. It has a great chorus. “Wield the Spade” seems like a goofy song that might be short (Trey repeating a few words as the song opens), but it proves to be one of the longer songs on the disc. I gather it is about Ceausescu, and has Stewart Copeland doing all the lead vocal talking/shouting).
“Pseudo Suicide” has a big wild Primusy bass riff. There’s a great jamming section in the middle, when Trey takes over vocals. “Grand Pecking Order” is kind of a goofy Primus stomp while “Owner of the World” is a kind of catchy sing along to end this disc.
There’s some really good songs on this disc and it works for fans of Phish and Primus.
[READ: January 20, 2014] “Picnic in the Yard”
This week’s issue of the New Yorker was its semi-annual food issue. As such there were four food-related essays by writers who I’ve written about before. The section was called “Rations.”
The final was by Jaime Joyce (there’s a name with literary aspirations, eh?). The three essays so far have talked about food in medical school, the army and college. This one is about food in prison. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 