Voluntary Mother Earth

It's almost impossible to mention Tokyo, Japan's Voluntary Mother Earth without referencing Frank Zappa, but it seems unlikely that the self-proclaimed "absurdist rock combo" minds. The band shares Mr. Zappa's penchant for wacky, multi-faceted compositions, half-spoken vocal delivery and quirky song titles ("Forgive My Penis," "Your Mother Is Only a Voluntary Mother"). The latter of these tracks may serve as the band's most definitive mission statement: The song collage interrupts Hendrix's "Foxy Lady" riff with lounge-jazz swing, alternates wah-wah guitar solos with Rick Wakeman-esque organ shredding and tells the story of a promiscuous mother complete with disturbing sound effects. Clocking in at a shockingly un-prog four minutes, the song proves Voluntary Mother Earth's ability to showcase stellar musicianship — while planting its tongue so firmly in cheek that it practically bursts through the flesh on the other side.