Superluminal Pachyderm (Eclectic Prog?)

I've been following this one-man project ever since I found it on mp3.com about seven years ago. I would describe it as Frank Zappa, Weird Al Yankovic, Syd Barrett, and Thomas Dolby forming a neo-prog outfit that only composes on a computer. It doesn't really sound like any of them, but it has the spirit of those four artists. It's strange stuff and takes a little getting used to. I sense neo prog, symphonic prog, psychedelic, electronic, pop prog, and who knows what else.

A selection of mp3 files can be found here: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=293277&content=music

Superluminal Pachyderm's home page is here:
http://www.xaagma.com/sp/index.html

There is a history of the project here:
http://www.xaagma.com/sp/history.html

The history is rather lengthy. If this ever meets PA's approval, I can write a shorter bio.

The project's discography is here:
http://www.xaagma.com/sp/disc.html

Thanks Logan. If you need any additional info, I'd be happy to assist.

I added it to ratingfreak (where we vote) seven months ago, but must have forgotten to put it on the charts, or was waiting to hear what developed before adding it to the Eclectic chart.  I'll have to review what happened with it (I was more than a bit out of sorts back then).

Have located where I asked opinions in Eclectic in the team thread.  We never came to a conclusion.  I was unsure at the time, and because, though I added it to ratingfreak.com, but did not add it to the chart itself, it got lost in the shuffle.  I will return to it to see where I think it might fit best.

Okay; will do.  Sorry for the very long delay.

That's a good description. I think I have another artist that's rather strange that might fit in avant-garde, but I won't be submitting it any time soon. I have a slight interest in the absurd.

Here is a bio:

Superluminal Pachyderm is a one-man project created by Ken Robinson of the State College area of Pennsylvania in 1999. The project is rather unusual in that Robinson rarely performs any instruments on his music, but instead composes them entirely of samples of real instruments using music sequencer software on his computer with the help of a sound editor and other music software.

Like many other independent artists at the time, Superluminal Pachyderm had its start on mp3.com and debuted its first album "Lexicographic Lint" in 2000. After having some success on mp3.com's charts, Robinson decided to continue his project by releasing three more albums and a compilation on mp3.com until that company met its demise in 2003. Releases included Oddities (later in 2000), Perpetual Insanity (2001), The Great Big Dog Biscuit (compilation in 2001) and Prum (2002). After 2003, Robinson reissued all of Superluminal Pachyderm's previous albums on his own label and in 2005 released Sea of Peas, his most ambitious creation to date. Since 2007, Superluminal Pachyderm has been working on an album called Unsalted Pants.

The music of Superluminal Pachyderm takes some getting used to. It has the humor and weirdness of Frank Zappa, Al Yankovic, and others of their kind, but the electronic aspects remind one of Thomas Dolby meets neo progressive rock with occasional bouts of psychedelic madness and dissonance. Since the music is entirely composed and created on a computer, it also has that "programmed" feel in places (like Magellan's programmed drums on their first two albums). Robinson's vocals are often spoken, often heavily processed, and full of echo and other effects. The subject matter of Robinson's songs are really odd with much of the material sounding like postmodern poetry, often making very little sense, with many references to food items, household appliances, and other inanimate objects. Occasionally some songs seem to deliver a message, often allegorically. Superluminal Pachyderm is hard to describe and usually leaves one wondering if this artist is out of his mind or some sort of mad genius.

Many thanks Theo!! Artist and discography added..now onto reviewing!