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.