Just when it looks like the world of music is slinking back into the corner of predictability, there will inevitably emerge a band who comes crashing in wearing big clown shoes and kicking the collective asses of all who stand in their way. When alternative was getting too humdrum, Primus came charging through. Now, with the advent of the horrifically dull church of nu-metal, the wildly flailing redneck army of Torsos From Space has come to smite the heathens. As used to odd bands as I am, the Torsos still managed to leave me completely confused after laying down a solid performance at the Mercury Star Lounge. After having a short chat with the band, a few things were established. Yes, the band really does have hicks in it. It is a solid 50/50 split, two authentic hicks from upstate New York and two genuine born-and-raised Rochesterians. Also, yes, the band really is serious at times, the lead singer just happens to write about what pops into his head. As Clutch, the vocalist, is an apple farmer in one of the more sparsely populated regions of NY, the lyrics shoot wildly across the board referencing everything from pet chickens to Japanese porn. Seeing the Torsos live is exactly what one would expect from their metal/ghetto/office industrial accoutrements, lots of energy and kinetics. However, the other half of the equation introduces one of the freshest, most unique sounds to date.

The music of Torsos From Space is best described as spazmodic Country Rap-Metal. During the show a general trend emerged, start with a high energy country tinged verse and then bludgeon all the way through a grinding metal chorus. As simple as this seems, its level of effectiveness is astounding. You’ll be humming songs like “Your Momma’s on Thebangbus Dot Com” for much longer than is probably healthy. Even as some songs fell into a predictable pattern, there were still plenty of unclassifiable tracks that were utterly unique. “Chicken Song #3” is a perfect example of this as it “allows us to suck in three different styles…all in only thirty seconds.” Make no mistake, this may sound like a joke, but when it comes down to the facts, these are talented musicians. The linchpin of this band is the bassist A.D. Choosing a more active playing style than most rock bassists, A.D. lays down basslines that function in both strong rhythmic and well-crafted melodic roles. This holds down the currently emphasized style and contributes to a more complex melodic ideology that helps hold the attention of the listener. If forced to draw paralells to the music of other bands, Torsos From Space would be the result of a drunken Nashville jam session between Primus and Coal Chamber, with random country celebrities making guest appearances. Though in the end it is probably wiser to leave the Torsos with their own special description, infectious hillbilly barnyard rap-metal. So git in yer truck and skedaddle down thems next thar musikal theater show.