Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage: Acts I, II & III
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Free Music Notes for Joe's Garage: Acts I, II & III
Free Music Review: Frank Zappa / Joes Garage Remaster
Hit: 4 Stars
The best release of this cd so far, it finally has some tone. It could be better but it's better than the original cd release by far.Free Music Review: You'll love it - it's a way of life
Hit: 4 Stars
I'm on my 2nd copy of this album,so you already know where I stand.
If this album is a "hack job",as some of the negative critics here on this site suggest,it's one of the most brilliant "hack jobs" ever conceived.Seriously,could any of these killjoys do any better?As far as I'm concerned,no one's even TRIED.It's that hard of an act to follow.
Fan that I am,I'll admit Zappa's had his share of clunkers ("No Not Now",anyone?),but this monster of a concept album doesn't belong in that category.It's all here- the sympathetic protagonist,the much-deserved swipes at religious chicanery/hypocrisy,the ballsy humor and wordplay (of which Zappa is a master of),the twisted supporting "cast" (a gay bi-lingual vacuum cleaner??A rapist record exec with a speech impediment??),the gentle pokes at the band Toto,the eerie prophecy of the whole thing (Zappa clearly saw the likes of the PMRC looming over the horizon),and the entertaining,absurd storyline all wrapped up in a sci-fi/school play/narc film vibe.
I suppose the short version,for the neophyte,would go like this: Act I is the "party" record.Act II is when it gets weird.Act III will give you chills (with the exception of "A Little Green Rosetta",which is a silly and clumsy way to end the album.That's why I give it 4 stars instead of 5).
And the music?C'mon,this is Frank Zappa we're talking about,you already KNOW it's nothing short of brilliant.
Act I takes you on a whirlwind tour of funk,twisted pop,blues rock,jazz fusion,fake reggae,and mock rock opera bombast as only Zappa can deliver.Acts II and III aren't quite as varied,but they are no less startling to say the least.
The insane rhythmic complexities and time signatures on "Keep It Greasy" alone will make your jaw drop.
If Zappa's passionate soloing during Act III doesn't move you,then you have even less emotion than Sy Borg.I was startled to see all the reviewers on this site praise "A Watermelon In Easter Hay".And here I thought I was the only sentimental fool who gets all lumpy in the throat every time I listen to that track.
And "Packard Goose"- wow.Between the sophisticated (yet never cold) structure of the music and the damning lyrics,you can feel Frank's utter and total disgust for the music industry shine through like a beacon.Bitterness never sounded so righteously beautiful.
So anyway....just buy the friggin' album,alright?
Free Music Review: Aw, come on...this is crap
Hit: 2 Stars
Look, Im a Zappa fan who has listened to most of the man's entire output. I'm in agreement, that Zappa was a unique figure in American music.
BUT
This is his weakest effort, shamelessly pandering to the same people he seems to parody. It's truly air-head rock, not much different than AOL rock, with little Zappa humor and flourishes. The humor is either dated, or aimed at pre-teens. This period of Zappa (early 80's)I enjoy the least.
Zappa was brave. Zappa was brilliant. But Zappa was not occasionaly without fault.
Im sure there are more meaningful performances in the Vault, than this mash-up of psuedo-reggae, glam-rock and purile humor.
Free Music Review: Joe's Garage... A True Classic
Hit: 5 Stars
Joe's Garage is an absolute classic, from one of the finest musical minds the world has ever known. Yes, this album is a little crude, but it served its purpose in the late 70's and early 80's. It's just to bad Mr. Zappa is no longer with us as he'd still be contributing in a major way to the music scene. Free Music Review: Wonderful!
Hit: 5 Stars
I ordered the CD for my husband to replace a tired old tape he couldn't play anymore. He was so excited that it got here fast, and in great condition, it was like he was hearing it all for the first time. Like a kid in a candy store.