Even open-minded fans of N.E.R.D.'s organic funk, hip-hop, rock and pop grooves might get thrown for a loop with the debut record from Spymob, the band composed of N.E.R.D. backing musicians John Ostby (vocals), Brent Paschke (guitar), Eric Fawcett (drums) and Christian Twigg (bass).

The band taps into some of N.E.R.D.'s eclectic vibe, but Spymob aren't at all rooted in hip-hop, owing far more to the retro jazz-pop of Steely Dan and the classic mellow songwriting of Todd Rundgren.

Spymob's upcoming record, Sitting Around Keeping Score, is the first release on the Neptunes' Star Trak imprint. N.E.R.D., of course, are the band fronted by the Neptunes: Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo (see "As Heard In N.E.R.D.: Spymob Ready To Do Their Own Thing").

"Pharell is always espousing his views on musical open-mindedness and telling people not to get too caught up in genres," said Spymob singer John Ostby, "[and] I totally agree with that. This is very different than what people heard from us on the N.E.R.D. record, but I hope they'll approach us with an open mind."

For a band that was discovered and nurtured by the Neptunes, it's strange that Spymob's debut album features neither guest vocals by Williams nor production by either of them — especially since the Neptunes made a name for themselves producing and remixing songs by other artists.

"When they signed us, they said, 'We feel really strongly about not wanting to be involved in your record in any way because we like what you're doing and we don't want to mess with it,' " Ostby said. "At one point we asked them if they thought it would be helpful for the record for them to remix something, but they wanted to leave it the way it was."

"It Gets Me Going," the first single from the album, is currently at radio. The first-person narrative from the perspective of a dog demonstrates how the members of Spymob express creativity with their lyrics as well as with their music.

"I've always been really into dogs, and as a dog owner I would feel guilty about leaving my dog for several hours and just thinking about how bored the dog must be," Ostby explained. "So one day when I was messing around on the piano, I started singing about how dogs have these simple pleasures of going out on walks and playing ball, but they also get lonely."

Sitting Around Keeping Score will drop July 22.