Aladdin Sane - David Bowie

The last memorial album I did didn't go over so well, so why not review an album that I consider one of my all time favorites. It is in, some what, continuous play on my iPod/Spotify/iTunes/Anything Really. And as much as it sucks he's gone, let's hope this review is positive enough, though I'm not going to lie to you, I know it'll be a fitting goodbye to one of my heroes. In past reviews I've mentioned how much he means to me as a musican/writer and there is no way I'd ever be able to pay him back, and since I need more time to dissect Blackstar, Aladdin Sane is the natural choice for this (if not counting the ones I've done and not Lodger). But anyway, here are the facts, this is album number six. This was the first of two albums released in 1973, the other the covers album Pin Ups. This was released in April of 1973 and was mainly written while David was on his American tour for Ziggy. This is looked at as Ziggy in America, and that's a great way to look at it.

1. Watch That Man: maybe not the best song here but damn is it a solid glam rocker. From the hard rock guitar and the piano and the nice ass drum beat. This song is a terrific opener. Like I said this is pretty straight forward tine, one listen basically gives you everything there. You might pick up on that piano later, but it's still a nice rocker.  Actually the backing vocals are awesome and that piano reminds me a bit of that live performance of Search and Destroy on the Legacy Edition of Raw Power. 
2. Aladdin Sane (1917-1939-197?): So we opened with a rocker, a straight forward tune. The following track couldn't be more different. With a title that hints WWIII could happen sometime in the 70's this odd European tune is one of the things I love about this album. It kind of throws left hooks. This song has some gorgeous piano from one Mike Garrison. The chorus here is as catchy as any of his other, more poppy songs. That guitar riff, and that tone (esp. During the verses, Damn!). I love the sort of freak out with the saxophone backing up the insane, almost mad man playing of the piano. I mean yes there is logic to it, but to a regular person.... WTF. I'm serious if I played the solo section for someone out of context they'd most likely be confused. This song is great and I couldn't ask for something else for this spot here. And that ending :)
3. Drive-In Saturday: A classic, and by that I'm serious. I guess this is about people in post apocalyptic.... just look it up. It's kind of interesting. Plot aside, this has a doo-wop sort of vibe to it. It isn't straight doo-wop though, like some of his best tunes.... It has this weird atmosphere to it. Seriously, I mean it almost makes no sense, but it's a solid ass fucking song. I love every second from the sax to the vocals to those backing harmonies. Plus the lyrics are pretty funny, in a kooky way. 
4. Panic In Detroit: Another rocker, though this is more of a hard rocker. I can't recall if this is about anything, like a real riot in Detroit, or whatever but I honestly don't care at the moment. This song is much better than the meaning and it doesn't need a meaning to make it good. There's a reason he played this live in the years to follow. It's a great rocker that is probably the closest The Spiders would get to TMWSTW. There are actually riffs where it sounds like it could go into the extended solos on that record. Even the opening just shouts rock and roll. I mean really. Also I should mention, this sonically sounds different from the other tracks, but not enough to not fit on this mixed bag of rock and roll tunes. I love the backing singers here too and we get to hear Mick just rip.
5. Cracked Actor: This is the only song I can say that I don't either Love. I mean it isn't bad, but compared to the other tracks I don't think it's as strong. You can almost look at this as a rewrite of Jean Genie. I mean this is a good glam rock tune, I just don't Love it you know. 
6. Time: This song starts out with a piano that is avant-gardeish. There is this vaudeville feeling to this track. I feel like this could be a cabaret number. It's very odd, there is a type of closure you get with this song.... now at least. It's got everything here that makes this album great, vocals, I love the guitar when the song gets more intense. I love how it goes back to the beginning and just feels like odd, even thought in reality it isn't the odd. Mick has some great guitar parts here that just add and, he's fucking an amazing arranger period Those backing vocals are great. I mean in reality most of what makes these songs great is on each song. The only thing is they all are different enough, to where you could call this a mixed bag of songs.
7. The Prettiest Star: A rerecorded version of the 1969 single, written about Angie Bowie. On the original Marc Bolan played lead, and Mick tried to replicate that guitar on this recording. This is a happy song, and I mean I feel like it's sort of heartfelt. It sort of reminds me a bit of Kooks or Soul Love or just a number that may not necessarily be the "insane genius theorist" he is elsewhere. I like songs that show another side to a guy, this is one of those. Nice saxophones by the way :)
8. Let's Spend The Night Together: The only cover on this album, it was originally released as a single by The Rolling Stones in 1967. Opening with a sort of weird heavy psych, feed back and then what I can describe as atonal piano hits. The songs rushes into a performance, and damn this thing fly's by. To be honest, the best performance of the song. This almost sounds like the original, but better heavier and more rockin'. 
9. The Jean Genie: What can I say about this track. It feels like a pirate is playing this. Seriously, I much prefer to think the Rebel Rebel video Bowie is singing this. This riff is just one of those, and yes you can hear it towards the ending of Width of a Circle, but here it's just so oddly perfect. I can kind of imagine people in the 70's going... what the fuck, this is really good, but still what is this. There is a reason this is as famous a song as it is. It's classic. Go Mickey Go!
10. Lady Grinning Soul: Argue with me all you will, but I believe this to be the most romantic track to ever be written... ever. You can't top this, not Marvin not Smokey, not Ole Blue Eyes nor anyone else. Keep on listing songs, you'll never change my mind. From Mr. Garrison's opening piano rolls, to David's sole vocal introduction. Listen to this thing, I mean really. Everything here sounds so damn good, and just the playing is so tight. I really can't find anything wrong here. I love the saxophones, I love the Spanish solo. The piano and guitar duet, Mick you are a genius. This word is almost too good for words, every time I listen to this I cry a bit. This song is perfect.

Overall I have to give this a 9/10. This s very much an Americanized version of Ziggy. On top of that its a great fucking album, there isn't much to complain about here. I mean really, every songs is unique, and they are all solid performances. I guess you could complain there's a cover, but that's just nit picking. Bowie my friend, you may be gone, but I know you're one of the few people to make a string, constantly great to amazing albums, from 1969 to 1980. Though I may never be able to tell you, or thank you for everything you done for me I also don't think I'd be able to either. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. I'm gonna miss you.

Not Available - The Residents

Today is my birthday, in honor of that i decided to do whatever I want. Since no one can lock me up for reviews, i decided to do one of my favorite albums.... EVER!!!! This is the 1978 (their second recorded, it's from 1974) studio album by Louisiana's The Residents. This album is known as The Residents living embodiment of the Theory of Obscurity. Look it up, its an  interesting concept that needs the back story, so look on their website if you care. This album also, allegedly has much personal drama on it and is an opera, of sorts. This is gonna take some multiple listens to review, but I'm not complaining. Note: I'm using the 2010 most current version for this review.

1. Part One: Edweena: Now this album starts off with something that sounds kind of cheap. I know that intro, upon first listen isn't that much of a draw in. But trust me, sit through it and it will pay off. The intro reminds me and sound a little of When We Were Young off 1980's Commercial Album, but with more instrumentation. The drums are kind of primal sounding and remind me of Fingerprince. Then these voices that sound like possessed chipmunks, or at least ones who hit puberty come in. After that for awhile it changes vibes and it's hypnotic. The vocals that come in sound almost robotic or like aliens from outer space. The vocals, the effect and the feeling I get in my gut, reminds me a little of Simple Song. Then the flute sounds speed up and a piano that sounds like it's off Meet The Residents comes in. The lyrics on this album, and song, are vary minimal, but this is kind of like a future calling to what they'd do on Commercial Album. The female vocalist's (known as Edweena) part reminds me a little of the Forbidden Zone. Also the drums sound almost analogue-esque. The possessed alien choir comes back and continues the story. And this is only 7 minutes into the 10 minute song. After that a guy, Uncle Remus (a mentor), talks and the choir comes in again, later followed by a fade in of the music. Really this is possibly best ever described as The Abbey Road Medley if it was on Sgt. Pepper and they were either taking a little too much acid, or they were genuinely bizarre people. Also if it took up the entire album.
2. Part Two: The Making of a Soul: This intro sounds similar to the first track. It's not even close, but the atmosphere is definitely continued. It sounds cohesive, the only real difference is the sax lead parts and it's a little louder overall. This track introduces the Porcupine. This part is followed by my favorite melody that now makes me cry when I hear it. It's like a demented Moonlight Sonata, or more avant-garde Because. The vocals just come in and sound so desperate. I honestly don't think that you can't be touched in some way by this guys voice. It's very much in the vein of Daniel Johnson, who didn't even come till years later. After it speeds up a little, the aliens return. They are almost like Omnipotent beings. Then the next section is a kind of reprise of the intro to this track. But the desperate love stricken Porcupine returns. And before he starts singing, quick note, a hammer comes in (another Abbey Road comparison, just saying). For those of you who don't know I think in every aspect of the word Abbey Road is the greatest album of all time. After the then the old guy, Uncle Remus, comes back.
3. Part Three: Ship's a'Going Down: The song starts calm, and is, then followed by a shriek and the singer literally Freaks Out along with the music. After the freak out, it goes back to another hypnotic felling before freaking out again. This is mainly told between "The Catbird" (the screamed vocals), "Uncle Remus", and the "Enigmatic Foe". The following part just makes me honestly say that this is truly the predecessor to Commercial Album, but with a story rather than a concept. This part contains the part where the singer is basically crying and the other voices are sings the title of this track. There is a lot of repeated musical motifs in this album, but damn they don't ever get old. This is followed by a reprise of, basically, the intro to track two, and the sad piano part. Followed by another reprise of another part. This should have, in any logical thinking person's mind gotten old by now, but it doesn't. Not even in the slightest. The part that follows this up reminds me of their 90's output and possibly The Ughs! track In The Dark. And outside the music is a beautiful melody that I wont describe. I wan't you to find it.
4. Part Four: Never Known Questions: This sounds like it's the ending of the story, and it properly is, well with the exception of an epilogue. The melody reminds me a little of Sympathy For The Devil. This is followed by "spot the rot" part. It's great! really it is. Followed by what I can only describe as Porcupine's Sonata. Followed by the "realization" in him. When everything clicks with him, he is truly happy and his first time a grand, happy upbeat part plays for his part.
5. Epilogue: This is kind of a final call back to the intro of the album. With the according to the site "chorus" giving the final benedictions and wrapping up the story. This is followed by a final call back to Porcupine's Sonata. Well with the exception of the Son is singing this. The boys voice makes it all the more touching and sad and really.... IDK? If you are confused by the lyrics study them and piece this album together, or at least try. You can get a clearer picture and when it's clearer this track really expalins the whole trauma and calls back to the first few lines in the album.

Overall I have to give this album a 100/10. This album is a trip, in the best way possible. I can't believe this album has the honor of being the first album I've listened to 3 times in a row front to back. With each listen I find it harder and harder to say what I don't like. Why, because its like it melts away. There is just something that's so touching and just indescribably. If you've ever seen any review of this they all say it's "indescribable" but it truly is. I've tried my best, but even my descriptions can't help truly give justice to this masterpiece. Forester should have played this album a few times for the SOL, eventually they'd be brainwashed by the album into loving it. If you want to make a good album, check this one out. This ranks up there with Freak Out!, Abbey Road, In The Court Of The Crimson King, Commercial Album. Go to their website for a heart breaking review, in a good way. Upon visiting the lyrics, there are easy connections to every single human's life, and upon revisiting this it is all the more enlightening.

Clear Spot - Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band

This is the album seven by Beefheart. This is the follow up from The Spotlight Kid released earlier in 1972. This was released in October and recorded in Autumn of that year. This is a part of his unloved period and I decided why not take a crack at it. I know that TSK wasn't all that bad, so why not do the album that it has since been paired up with on CD reissues of the album. And after this will probably be.... well a surprise. The album was, for commercial reasons, co-produced by Don Van Vliet and Ted Templeman. It was also released in October 1972 on Reprise Records.

1. Low Yo Yo Stuff: This song is kind of cool. It's kind of slick. I think it has a groove to it. It's a good way to start out the album. It has a drive along the lines of Bat Chain Puller. 
2. Nowadays a Woman's Gotta Hit a Man: The drum beat in the beginning of this thing reminded me of Ballroom Blitz by Sweet. Then comes in that harmonica. This song isn't anything special that isn't kind of redundant after hearing The Spotlight Kid. The solos kinda cool in this song. 
3. Too Much Time: This sounds like it could be Beefheart backed by Chicago. Then the female vocals in the background damn, I see how he "denounced" these albums. This is very radio friendly and I could see angering the Trout fans. This is a decent song though that I could play for my mom with few complaints though. 
4. Circumstances: This guitar reminds me of that one commercial in the beginning. Then the harmonica takes over. Then during the normal verses I can honesty say it feels like it never quite lined up, but that drum roll. I think that's kinda cool they did that, and love the guitar distortion. The harmonica reminds me a little of Bat Chain Puller. I really like the drum roll part. 
5. My Head Is My Only House Unless It Rains: The best part of this song is definitely the vibes. Other than that little thing that reminds me of Ruth than there isn't really much positive I can say. In all 100% honesty based off this album, and this song, this is the type of artist I'd only listen to the album once and probably never regret never hearing it more than once. Forgot to mention that The Tubes covered this in 1977 on their album Now, which Don also plays on the track Cathy's Clone.
6. Sun Zoom Spark: This is a little more colorful with the vocals, bass, and cowbell thing. The cowbells keeping the rhythm of the song, and this song is more in the vein of Circumstances. It's interesting, but probably because its on this album were there isn't much to keep one's interest. 
7. Clear Spot: The title track, and well I  don't know what to say. After 7 tracks deep I can't say much good about this LP. The chorus is kind of cool when it sounds "bad" and out of sync. I like that, and that beeping in the background. I also like the guitar and bass. I like it, not love. 
8. Crazy Little Thing: This song could be a cover of Funk #49, but with female backing vocals in the track. I'm literally not kidding on the sound, the solo is neat up against the James Gang idea, but yeah, it's charm might only last so long. To be honest, this is the only track I'm keeping thus far. 
9. Long Neck Bottles: This song is pretty epic power chords in it that remind me of 21st Century Schizoid Man or some other where it has a powerful strum. Won't Get Fooled Again is another example, though I can't quite pick what song it reminds me of exactly. This album is starting to pick up its slack. 
10. Her Eyes Are a Blue Million Miles: This is kind of pretty, it's got a neat acoustic arpeggios that kind of remind me of Spanish flamenco music. This is a decent track, definitely one of the best here. Part of it reminds me of Dear Prudence. 
11. Big Eyed Beans from Venus: The guitar is pretty current sounding. The mix I'm listening to sounds like what a blues guitar sounds like today. I do think its neat this is kind of heavy, like conventionally heavy. This gives me hope for his other hated albums, there are hidden gems in the rough. I can tell I'll love this [track] with a few more listens. 
12. Golden Birdies: This seems like an outtake from a more ambitious Captain. The guitar and marimba harmony is just great. It is also in that Zappa vein. Possibly he best song here on The Clear Spot.

Overall I have to give this a 6/10. Damn Capt why did you do this to me. There isn't much for me to say about this thing. I know it was headed in a more commercial direction, but you kind of have up your personality in the process. Don't worry, I actually am a fan, just not huge on these ones. Though it starts to pick up towards the end. PS figured get the bad ones off my iPod first. Oh yeah, it's only this high because of the second half. Oh yeah, Roy Estrada and Art Tripp from The Mothers played on this album.

The Spotlight Kid - Captain Beefheart

This is the, in his lifetime, only album credited to a sole Captain Beefheart. This followed the more mature Trout Mask the 1970 album Lick My Decals Off, Baby. (Note in 1971 Mirror Man was released, but that's hardly an album, it's of outtakes from the 60's). This is a HUGE change of pace from Lick My Decals. By a more mature Trout Mask Replica I meant it's even odder and more developed. It's Aladdin Sane is to Ziggy as Decals is to Trout.

1. I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby: The way this song is it reminds me, vaguely, of Ice Cream For Crow. I do like the growl vocal thing he's doing. That also reminds me of Boris The Spider. This is a slick song. It's pretty easy to listen to compared to Trout, as called by the BBC1 Doc I saw, or Lick My Decals. He does do a Beafheartian vocal, but only vaguely. If the entire albums like this, it won't be that terrible.
2. White Jam: This reminds me of Blue Jeans & Moonbeams. This is a, kind of, pretty song. At least in the beginning. This song has, in his voice in the beginning, some muffin remnants of She's Too Much For My Mirror. You can use your white jam all you want. As long as its not Raspberry Jam, because Lone Star already has that taken Don. 
3. Blabber 'n Smoke: This is actually a great track. I really was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I like this songs title. This song has a drive to it. I also like the way he sings this song. I think the xylophone sounding instrument is cool. I saw the Family Guy the other day where Louis models. The part when she "plays" her ribs cuz she's so skinny. It's at the end of the episode. Regardless, that reminded me of that. But I also like how it's kind of weird.
4. When It Blows Its Stacks: You can always expect bizarre, I did that on purpose, song titles on Beefheart albums. I love that though. This track isn't as good as the two it's between, but that's ok. This song is solid. I like the crunch of the guitar in this song. 
5. Alice in Blunderland: I like the title to this track. I think it's pretty cool. This is an instrumental, featuring that xylophone I was mentioning before. But get this, there's a Zappa-esque guitar solo in this track. It's really cool hearing this. Damn!, and this goes by too fast. This could be part two of the previous track. The melody could actually be a Zappa melody. This could be one of his songs from the Zappa / Mothers period, from '73-'75. This is a great song. It's cooler though as a follow up from the last track. 
6. The Spotlight Kid: The title track to this LP comes in the middle. Though this album is technically slower and simpler, that doesn't mean there isn't anything happening. Like on this track, it's odd. This seems like he found that xylophone and tries to use it as much as possible. (I've done that before). Also I  do like how the instruments do play the same notes. It sounds sick. 
7. Click Clack: This song has a harmonica and is fast. It's kind of upbeat and exciting. But at the same time it's kind of overwhelming. That's whats great about him. Lots of his songs make you feel confused. I like the train vibe to it and also the megaphone thing he did. 
8. Grow Fins: A great box-set of outtakes and live recordings Beefheart songs is named after this track. I like this track too. The lyrics in this song are ok. I think that this is a good track too. I don't really know how to describe it different from any of the other tracks. This song has a type of like island thing I'm imagining. Kind of, but that's just me.
9. There Ain't No Santa Claus on the Evenin' Stage: As the title suggests there are sleigh bells in the song. This is an odd track. I could see this being on Shiny Beast. Though this is easy to listen to, it has that weird guitar slide thing Don loves. I like the "ho ho ho's" in the song. It's kind of funny. And it's not too long. It's a pretty quick track too. 
10. Glider: This closes the album. I'm glad I'm finally getting this up. This track kind of drags for me, but that probably because its almost over. 

Overall I have to give this album a 7/10. For a more commercial direction this ain't that bad. This is "slower" (in terms of tempo) and "simpler" (in terms of performance) but still good. I'd suggest this to people who aren't, and probably never will be, into avant-garde. Blame the sound on his wife, she contributed in writing (she's credited at least). The album gets better as it progresses. Art Tripp and Elliot Ingber both play on this album.

Bluejeans & Moonbeams - Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band

This is the overall ninth album by Captain Beefheart. His last album, Unconditionally Guaranteed from April '74, saw the leaving of his entire band. This album was the first with all new band. This album, to me at least, reminds me of The Stones. But I'll explain that more later. I'm not a Beefheart expert, but I do enjoy some of his music, and think that this album is a quick review. I've heard Trout Mask Replica, The Spotlight Kid and Shiny Beast in their entirety. I've heard some other's too, but those in full. Oh, yeah, sorry there hasn't been a review in forever, but I plan on doing them more often again.

1. Party Of Special Things To Do: This is the first song. It's kind of a song that I could see The White Stripes covering. They did, just to let you know. I think that this is a good way to start off the album. This song has a funky type of vibe to it. And It's defiantly more easy to listen to than Trout Mask or even the 1970 follow up Lick My Decals Off, Baby.
2. Same Old Blues: The harmony vocals on this album remind me a ton of The Stones. Some of the other songs, not so much this one, reminds me of Bob Seger on Stranger In Town or an album with the Silver Bullet Band. Note: this is also a J.J. Cale cover.
3. Observatory Crest: This is kind of relaxing to hear. It kind of reminds me of Hollywood Nights, because of the lyrics. I really like the way the guitar sounds. I really like this song a lot.
4. Pompadour Swamp: This song has kind of a reggae type of vibe to it. But I wouldn't call it a reggae song. It also kind of has a funky beat. For some reason I kind of imagine Kashmir by Zeppelin. It might just be me, I might just be crazy from not doing a review in over a month, but that's what I think kind of. Like during the verses.
5. Captain's Holiday: This song kind of brings back that ole blues, but not ''Avant-blues''. This is an instrumental, I think it's ok, but I don't really care for it. I might like it with more listens, but as of now, I don't really love it.
6. Rock 'N Roll's Evil Doll: I like the way the piano sounds, and the way the song kind of almost sounds like it could be an old school song. Not exactly, but it has a funky vibe to it. I really like this song. It's not my favorite but I still like it. Theses last 4 tracks are awesome. The distortion on the guitar is awesome.
7. Further Than We've Gone: This song kind of took me by surprise the first time I heard it. I could imagine a scene in a movie where people either make love or are falling in love. Kind of like the part in the 1969 ''James Bond'' movie ''On Her Majesty's Secret Service''. The part where it plays We Have All The Time In The World and Louis raspy vocals. I could kind of imagine making love to this song. This also kind of reminds me of Still The Same for what ever odd reason. Not musically, just ''memory'' wise. The solo is very pretty
8. Twist ah Luck: This song reminds me a little of Bob Seger. This song is pretty good. The harmony vocals on the track sound just like a Stones track. This actually could almost be a Stones song. But I like it more than I like them. Actually my favorite album is the infamous 1967 Their Satanic Majesties  Request. They do have other good songs though. But this is a really cool song.
9. Bluejeans & Moonbeams: I don't really know why so much, but I really like this song. I think this is a really good way to end this album. I don't know why Don pretty much disowned this and Unconditionally Guaranteed. I haven't heard all of the other, but I think this is a pretty sick album. I think the solo on this is really pretty and has a slide. I like it when slides are played like this. 

Overall I have to give this song a 8/10. This is an album that is considered part of the "Tragic Band". I don't know, I think it's a decent album. I like it and it's kind of a mellow album. It's much easier to listen to than anything pre-Trout Mask, minus Diddy Wah Diddy, and anything after this album. It's very relaxing to listen to. Can't wait to review Shiny Beast or Spotlight Kid next. The only album I don't really want to do is the boring 1971 Mirror Man.

The King of Limbs - Radiohead

This is the newest studio release by alternative band Radiohead. There is no way that you haven't heard of theses guys. This is a band that formed in the late 80's and first album, Pablo Honey, was released in 1993. I really have never had that driving force to listen to any of Radiohead's music. I'm not exaggerating, I have legitimately just been to lazy to listen to them. You always hear about The Bends as being one of the best or important albums of all time. Well I listened to it and I liked it, not enough to want to listen to every other album by them, but I thought it was good. Well I know that I heard this wasn't the album to listen to to get into Radiohead, but this wasn't half bad.

1. Bloom: This song starts out with a type of noise collage style.The first part of the song is piano, then comes the drums that get looped. After that comes in the bass and guitar and other keys. After everything pretty much establishes it's self Tom comes in singing and sounding like he's trippin'. This is a psychedelic feel to it. While I listen to this I picture flowers and weird like 60's acid colours, you know the ones you see in the movies. The song only gets that much more trippie, because after the 1st verse comes strings and ambient voices. There is also a sound of strings in there right before the verse comes in where it sounds like something I have heard briefly in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Though this song is very trippy and there is just an over all odd feel to it... that actually what attracts me to it. At the end there is the main instruments while the atmosphere of the trip fade.
2. Morning Mr Magpie: This song sounds like it picks up from the last not of the last song. This song also has loops on it but it is more traditional sounds to it. All the instruments are clear and you can hear them. This song has a part where the keys come back and it gets trippy again, but fades away. The song stopped for about a split second and then started up in some type of beat that reminds me of Middle Eastern/Indian music.The song goes back to it's normal original instrumentation but has more heavy keys in it, and it sounds like the keys are shrieking. After the song ends there is what sounds like a vacuum and spring sounds. It made me think of spring cleaning my house for Easter.
3. Little By Little: This song is has less psyched vocals. But during the chorus if you listen in closely you can hear what reminds me of the backwards guitar on I'm Only Sleeping by my favorite band ever The Beatles. That is also one of my favorite songs off Revolver and possibly one of my top songs in general. This song still has that Indian vibe going through it which is heard through the drums and the guitar distortion. This song also kind of reminds me of Within You, Without You the raga influenced song written by George Harrison which is on the legend Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. There is just an over all psychedelic feel to this song and first "side" of the album.
4. Feral: This song starts out with an awesome drum beat going while the vocals and everything else sound either trippie or sampled. There is a part in the beginning of the song where the bass has a little riff, that kind of reminds me of Frank Zappa's instrumental Rubber Shirts which is off 1979's Sheik Yerbouti (One of my favorite albums EVER). This song also reminds me of (I'll add it when I figure it out) because of the drums. The song ends with a feed back and the drums fade, but the feedback it still prevalent..
5. Lotus Flower: This song kind of is like part two of Feral. The guitar in this sound like a phone ringing. And the keys sound like that to. There is also, I feel, bizarre hand claps during the verses. There is a chorus, I think, but that part sounds super cool, I love how it sounds like pretty. In this song there is something, a word I use a lot, that makes it hard not to like this song. At the end of this sound it sounds like someone using chalk.
6. Codex: Someones voice comes in and is cut off before he can say a word, by this piano and sounds that sound like they are in a ship. There is a sound that reminds me of whales and I kind of picture this being played underwater. Like the ship has sunk and they are playing, while they wait to die. And the vocals are like the vocals of someone who lived and is contemplation about those on the ship who died. Tom's voice is accompanied by what sound like horns. This is actually a very pretty sound. The drum beat in this song remind me of a heartbeat. Then income the string that actually sound very good. They help me in vision this ship underwater. At the end of the songs it sound like a radio but is transformed into the spring sounds, without the vacuum, that were on the album earlier.
7. Give Up The Ghost: Those spring sounds are in the beginning of this song, which sounds like it is being played in the jungle. But is being sung by Neil Young. This song is a very mellow song. It actually reminds me of The Bends, but better quality and easier to listen to. By that I mean that it is very low-fi on The Bends. This album has much better sound quality and there is much more open space. I really don't know what else to say about this song. At the end there is a part where it sounds like wings flapping and fluttering.
8. Separator: This starts out with this feel of a 70's funk drum beat. Kind of comparable to, very very lightly (like ridiculously lightly), of Dinah-Moe Humm off Over-Nite Sensation album of Frankie Z's. That doesn't last very long, since his vocals take that away from the song, but it is still good. This song song also gives me this feeling of childhood? The way this song ends really makes me what to listen to this album again.

Over all this album was a surprising 8.5/10. I liked it more than I though. The loops weren't that bad and the songs weren't that bad either. And they didn't really seem to get boring to me at all. There is an avant-garde tape loop feel I get from this album. This album has some very good comparisons I think, especially through my eyes. I know that Radiohead doesn't really have two albums that sound the exact same but I kind of hope they expand on this sound. There is something about this that makes me feel The King Of Limbs is an appropriate name for the album. Ha, you can start the phrase "Do The King of Limbs, Not Drugs". I think I'm gonna make a shirt that says that. I know that I'm getting this on CD, if possible. The original rating was 7.5/10 but was changed 06/09/15.

We're Only In It For The Money - The Mothers Of Invention

This album is SUPER important and I'm honored that this is my first Zappa album review. This is the 44th anniversary of this huge album. This is even more important musically to me than Dark Side Of The Moon and The Valley combine. This was the first Zappa album I heard in it's entirety, along with Sheik Yerbouti and Freak Out! Those are three of my favorite albums but three of the most important musically to me. Now I can go on forever about how this is an amazing album but, well I'm gonna break it down track by track. The original intended album cover for this was a parody of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. I don't really like that album cover much, but because of legal stuff that was on the inside instead of the outside.

1. Are You Hung Up?: This is a sound there is is a person talking and whispering. It is kind of eerie. And there is a little guitar riff in there and it is cut off by a someone making a horse sound. If I am not mistake, Eric Clapton's voice is on this song. It's either that track or Telephone Conversation.
2. Who Needs the Peace Corps?: This song is funny. I like how he brought up the problems and the foolishness of the whole hippie movement in something a hippie would probably listen to. That is the thing about Frank, he had this thing where he could make appealing songs that make fun of the people who it appeals to. Another example is Dancing Fool. I also like how the instrumentation is in the background to him talking about instructions of what he will do as a hippie. There is just something about the way they do that part of the song that is so neat. I really think it is cool that they not only do that, they also make it work. The part in the song where it says "I love the police as they beat the shit out of me" well, that is something I included in a sophomore year speech  I did on censorship. Which I bombed, why well I did pretty much everything they said no to. So I went down like a man.
3. Concentration Moon: This song is "cute". I don't know what people could have a problem with this. This is one of my first favorite songs by Zappa. I really like how the song ended and it has a couple seconds in between of sound collages, then starts over. The line where it say "American way, how did it start" is one of the coolest sounding things I've heard. The part just hits me like a rock. If you make music or even enjoy music there has to be some types of music that hit you like that. Well this is one of the many that hit me. Hard!
4. Mom & Dad: This song is so pretty. The lyrics are also very touching, if you listen to then and think about them. The lyrics talk about someone telling their parents people are getting shot by the cops. and ultimately he was shot. This song has a build at "Ever take a minute to show a real emotion" which leads into just this perfectly built up part and the song just. This song hits hardest of all the songs. This is a song that I could cry to. It is just so pretty and touching. This shows that he is himself. I don't see any other way to say that. This song makes me tear up, maybe it will make you to.
5. Telephone Conversation: I like how this flows in the album in between tracks. This is just how this album is. I kind of think of it in a way as a big commercial.
6. Bow Tie Daddy: This was also another instant classic for me. I really like this one because it is different. And this is also a cute song but if you listen to it. It will catch your attention because of its cartoon sounding to it. But it is making fun of the parents of the hippies. This is defiantly a song I could see on the radio.
7. Harry, You're a Beast: This flow to this song is great. The vocals on this track are really good. I like the instrumentation on this to. Then there is Dick Barber doing that signature growl on this track. Then it goes back to the normal part. The track gets played backwards. This mentions someone saying "Don't come inside me", but is is all sped weird so it would be censored. This song appears to be about a guy who is a beast, sexually. This song is just so great. It grabs your attention and it is super catchy. I love this, and it is one of my favorite 
8. What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?: This song is very funny. I think this applies to everyone, the way this song is you think it's about a penis or a vagina but it states that :"Its your mind". I love at about 30 seconds it picks up and sounds pretty cool. I think that this also hit me like a rock. The way his vocals are and the drums and guitar. Perfect
9. Absolutely Free: The piano intro to this song is just cool. I also like how he took a shot at. I also think that it's funny how they had to censor the line "Flower Power Sucks!". This album in general is a masterpiece. There is are parts in this song where it remind me of a odd type of waltz. The drum roll on the chorus is how my favorite type of sounding drums are. I like the compression on them.
10. Flower Punk: There is a cut where it sounds like they are changing the channel. Then this song starts immediately after. This has a very distorted wah-wah guitar sound to it. The vocals are sped up, a technique Frank often did on songs, especially on stuff with The Mothers of Invention. The song kind of ends the starts up and has static noises and people running around in the background and in one speaker there is one person talking to you and the other speaker has someone else talking to you at the same time.
11. Hot Poop: This is another sound collage song that has a funny title. It is only 26 seconds but it has part of the song Mother People which is on this album, played backwards.
12. Nasal Retentive Calliope Music: This is a classic sounding sound collage. It sounds like someone was recording stuff and sped it up extremely fast. At the last 20 seconds of the song there is a surf rock sounding song that plays with waves in the background. That whole surf rock part is awesome. It reminded me of a more surf rock version of Lumpy Gravy the theme song. This track is cut off by other sound collage stuff and ends with a fart sound. 
13. Let's Make The Water Turn Black: This song is on of the instants. The fart sound from the track before is hilarious, especially since this track is about someone trying to start a fire with a lighter and their farts. Supposedly this was based of a real event in Frank's life. I'm not positive but I think I read somewhere that that is the inspiration. There is just something about the way this song is performed that is so embedded in my head forever, that I don't exactly know for sure.
14. The Idiot Bastard Son: This song is a song that is only like 45 seconds. After the 45 second mark it has people talking about a bunch of different stuff. At about 1:21 the song starts up again. This song is a little different and there are different lyrics and guitar parts. The drums and bass are the same. Then there is a type of part where it has a piano part with vocals and guitar. After that they have the whispering spoken words again until it leads up into the next track.
15. Lonely Little Girl: This is my least favorite song on the album. I'm not saying it is bad, I just don't LOVE it. There is parts in this song where it sounds like there is a sitar in it, which is at the end of the song. This has part of How Could I Be Such A Fool? and What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body in it. I just never really got into this track that much.
16. Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance: This song is also pretty. The thing about this is that it is just funny. With the instrumentation on it sounding cartoonish and cartoonish vocals on the track singing about lonely people gathering together and peace. Along with that peace you can take your clothes off when you dance. That is the last line of the song so you get the impression of them talking about "All the evils know to man, will be an evil we can rise above" is not as important as being able to run around naked.
17. What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body? (Reprise): This is just a shorter version of the track of the same name. It isn't all that different from the other version. The only major difference is it appears to fall apart towards the end. And after the music is done there is voices that talk and just say random stuff.
18. Mother People: This song is also very important to my Zappa music appreciation. This is part of my favorite songs by him. This song is funny and it is very catchy. It gets stuck in your head, very easily.  It starts out with an orchestral feeling to it. This reminds me of Lumpy Gravy. But then after that part it goes back to the normal song and ends. This song is a good song to start off listening to The Mothers with.
19. The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny: If not for Revolution 9 then it would of been harder to fall for this album. This song is and avantgarde, noise collage, tape loop track. The first ever tape loop song I liked was Revolution 9 by The Beatles off their 1968 self titled album. The beginning of this has some type of motor sounding thing to it. Then this evolves into piano, which evolves into a bunch of random instruments together. This sounds like Frank's take on his type of Edgar Varese composition. This also somewhat reminds me of a not so distant cousin of the second half of The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet which is off 1966's Freak Out! album. There are also cartoonish vocals laughing like they are evil or they are high. This track is 6:25 and by far the longest track on the album. The second longest track on this album is 3:24. That over 3 minutes longer that any the second longest track. There is a part where it sounds like they were just running around hitting stuff in this big empty room.

Over all this is a 10/10. I love this album. Its just so perfect and just works. I literally could of reviewed this album with out even re-listening to all but 3 songs. The rest are permanently engraved in my skull musically. I think that this should be on a list of top 50 albums ever. This is just such a perfect piece of musical history for me and it is also touching to me and has meaning. If not for this I probably wouldn't like Frank. The way this album was mixed and edited is perfection. This isn't amazing quality but it gets the job done. I think that the quality works and is perfect for what it needed on this album. Some albums need to be low quality to sound good and then the same is true of the opposite. Long story short I love this album and can't wait till March 22nd cuz then I'd doing Apostrophe and March 26th Just Another Band From L.A. check out my page at the top where it says release dates.