Frank Zappa - Hot Rats
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Free Music Notes for Hot Rats
Free Music Review: BEST INSTRUMENTAL 5 Stars
you can't beat hot rats when it comes to guitar solos and other instrumental songs. hot rats isn't completely instrumental. willie the pimp, the second song, has lyrics sung by captain beefheart (before he and zappa went their separate ways because of beefheart's complaining that zappa marketed him like a "freak"...grow up beefheart). however, beefheart is at his finest here and he finishes the lyrics within the first 2 1/2 minutes of the 9 minute song. after that, the rest of the album is filled the best instrumentals, guitar solos and rock-jazz fusions that were ever recorded by zappa or anyone else for that matter. forget lumpy gravy, uncle meat, burnt weeny sandwich, weasles ripped my flesh, waka/jawaka, and the grand wazoo....the musical compositions on those albums are second-rate compared to the ones heard on hot rats. but to market and sell those grade b albums, they had to name them very odd titles so curiosity would lead the listener to buy the albums. don't let those titles fool you. hot rats is a simple and relevant title to the album (it's what willie sells)and all of the tracks put together on those 6 albums mentioned above can't compare to the 6 magnificent tracks on hot rats. so skip the grade b stuff and get right to the best. if you're like me and most people, you don't have enough money to buy all of zappa's 60 + albums, bootlegs and compilations. so to fully capture zappa at his instrumental best, hot rats is the place to go.Free Music Review: These people don't give me enough space here. See below.
Hit: 5 Stars
This album is Zappa's first to really display what he was capable of musically. The idiot reviewer who called it a cold lump of jazz etc. was obviously too stuck on basic, easy music (the very 4/4 that Zappa rebelled against) and believed that satire and superior music are not kosher. Do not believe this. There needs be no sacrificing one's "point" in satire due to the quality. Leacock did not discard adjectives because they muddled his satire. He utilized them to advance his satire. Zappa's case is the same. Whether it's the screeching guitar statements of "My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama" or the off-beat babblings of "Welcome To The United States", Zappa utilizes both music and satire brilliantly. Moreso than he did with the Mother's, as appossed to what Mr. Professional Reviewer said in his article. So if you aren't deaf, then you should buy Hot Rats, listen to it, be absorbed by it, experience it and hopefully germinate the experience, because it is one well worth experiencing, despite what certain ill-informed reviewers may have said. Did I forget to mention that the harmonies are brilliant, there are massive solos aplenty (not those "when is this going to be over" solos, but the "gimme more..." solos). The weave of music becomes a blanket that envelopes you, and that 'aint bad.Think about it, Andrew Reoch.
Free Music Review: Jazz Rock Fusion
Hit: 5 Stars
Jazz Rock Fusion made much more sense on paper than it generally made in reality. But Frank Zappa, who in reality was much closer to classical and avant-garde orchestral music than to Charlie Parker, probably gave the jazz-rock concept the best ride it ever had with Hot Rats, and several of his other albums from the same period (Waka/Jawaka, Grand Wazoo, and parts of Uncle Meat, Burnt Weenie Sandwich and Weasels Ripped My Flesh). This particular album also has the feeling of Brian Wilson, Van Dyke Parks and other late 60s Los Angeles studio czars who used the recording studio and session musicians like a paint box. Ian Underwood should get co-billing for his unbelievable instrumental work on keyboards and woodwinds. I'm not much of a fan of Zappa's satirical music, finding it increasingly forced and not particularly funny. And some of his homages to avant-garde heroes like Edgard Varese seem to be simply derivative, aping the polytonalities but without soul. But, to my mind, Zappa found his sweet spot with the type of music found on Hot Rats and the other albums I've mentioned, and I am certain these albums will be listened to long after the Valley Girl has retired to Cucamonga, and Tipper Gore has her own fashion museum. They are simply brilliant, very entertaining, unique, totally creative and surprising, and (a word Zappa would've probably shunned) music with potentially universal appeal.Free Music Review: Frank's best record by a long shot
Hit: 5 Stars
1969 was a great year in rock music. The Beatles issued the legendary 'Abbey Road,' King Crimson released the epic progressive masterpiece 'The Court Of The Crimson King,' and Frank Zappa released arguably his best record to date, 'Hot Rats.'
There are plenty of highlights on this record. All six songs featured here are highlights. But 'Peaches En Regalia' remains the favorite on the record for me. It became a concert staple for Zappa in the 1970s.
'The Gumbo Variations' is one of Zappa's epics, clocking in at just under 17 minutes. You get some great guitar work here from Zappa. He is quite the guitar player, and this song shows it.
Listen for some killer vocals sung by Captain Beefheart on 'Willie The Pimp.' He was one of Zappa's closest friends, so it's no surprise to hear his vocals here.
'It Must Be A Camel' is a nice little ditty. And, it's great way to close out a great record. This song clocks in at just over 5 minutes, and it's one of the shorter pieces on the record.
Zappa's work is legendary. And if you want a great starting place, pick this one up and 'Strictly Commercial: The Best of Frank Zappa.' Also, you'll want to check out his legendary live record 'Sheik Yerbouti.'
This is highly recommended for any rock and roll fan. If you like Zappa even a little bit, you'll love this record. ENJOY!!!
Free Music Review: Untouchable
Hit: 5 Stars
I got put onto this album by a mate who has quite differing musical tastes to me and was a little bit apprehensive to give it a go. I'd heard some Zappa before this, and always enjoyed it and appreciated him for his eccentricities. This was the first Zappa album i'd listened to from start to finish and I was hooked from halfway through Peaches En Regalia...The drums on this track are amazing!
Zappa is one of those untouchable artists. He was so ahead of his time that he is still ahead of his time. Hot Rats (along with every album he has put out) is just so choc-full of discovery both through listening once every so often to listening incessantly over and over almost as if to unlock some secrets only available to chosen few. Zappa also did this, as it seemed, quite effortlessly and with an attitude that didn't take himself too seriously and did not give a single hoot if anyone didn't get it.
Any zappa album, even the ones that are pretty unlistenable, are 4-5 stars just for their originality, humour, wonder and the thought going through your head of "what the f*%@!"
I don't know if this album is a good starting place for Zappa newcomers, is there any? Maybe start with the greatest hits or something if you're into that.
Hot Rats is definitely worth the admission price for any music fan who loves their music full on, uncompromised and just a little nutty...