No Cheez Orchestra initially had two strikes against them in my book, a cheese reference in the name and the inability to spell. But when their cd finally made its begrudging way into the stereo... well, I am not sure where to begin.

It's like Zappa smoking an early Genesis joint while listening to Rush in reverse; it's like playing every Ween record at the same time while tripping on peyote and watching Fox News; it's like going to a Pink Floyd-themed diner and eating a Yes sandwich with David Byrne.

I'm not sure if any of that is good or bad, but War and Pom Poms is certainly like nothing I've ever heard before.