Forever Einstein ARE a wacky rock/jazz/prog/fusion trio. You can tell from their wacky and uber-lengthy song titles that are culled from cartoon phrases (I recognized a slew from “King of the Hill” and one from “The Simpsons,” but there may be more). And if this wasn’t enough to give it away, their whimsical melodies often veer off into surf music, so you know not to take them too seriously.

But like the music of Frank Zappa (whom the band obviously finds an inspiration) there is more substance beneath the playful surface than is immediately obvious. Racket Science is the band’s fifth album, although it’s the first with bassist Kevin Gerety, and guitarist Charles O’Meara and drummer John Roulat know how to lock in tight as lockjaw. Upon this bedrock they build a twisty palace of mischievous melodies and manic musicianship.

To attempt to describe 12 instrumental tracks that often stomp through multiple styles in three minutes is to risk madness. But since I’m already mentally dubious, here we go: There”s a bit of King Crimson (“How Come the Wrong People Are Always in Charge?”), some Allman Brothers (“You’re Living in a World of Make-Believe With Flowers and Bells and Leprechauns and Magic Frogs with Funny Little Hats”), jazzy neoclassical western (“It’s a Good Thing I Don’t Have Super Brain Powers or You’d Be in a Thousand Little Pieces Right Now”), cartoonish Primus space rock (“They’re Portable, They’re Annoying and they Cost Three Dollars a Case”), a country surf jam (“God Has A Plan For Me and It Involves Puppets”), a psychedelic surf jam (“I Got My Picture Taken, I Got Forty Dollars and I Get to Keep the Underwear”), and experimental, Belew-like soundscapes (“He Looks Interesting - And By Interesting I Mean Weird”). Did I mention that they like long song titles?

With Racket Science Forever Einstein have definitely carved out a unique niche. It’s instrumental (which will alienate a few), Zappa-inspired (there goes some more), country-tinged (hey, where’s everyone going?), and prog-enhanced (there must be a sale somewhere). For those brave souls remaining, Forever Einstein can provide hours of kooky yet meaty listening enjoyment.

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