Safe As Milk

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Tue Oct 11 2022

5

Ok, this is pretty damn brilliant and wild fun. Absurd, but rooted in the familiarity of blues and r&b, so much of the sound is a real romp. I’ll need to give it another listen or two in order to process more of the lyrics. After a second listen, I’m really blown away. Favorite tracks are Sure ‘Nuff Yes I Do, Electricity, Yellow Brick Road, Abba Zaba, and Plastic Factory. Beefheart has an intense, rumbling voice with great charisma. The music is played brilliantly, whether it is a rootsy blues, or a lurching and leaping number with changes in time, tempo, and attitude. Gonna need to spend more time with this band.

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Tue Aug 30 2022

4

Delightfully weird.

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Mon Jan 16 2023

1

I hate Captain Beefheart.

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Mon Sep 05 2022

4

The only Beefheart album I knew before this was Trout Mask Replica, so I wasn't expecting something so... accessible? But still, some pretty experimentally fun stuff here!

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Tue Aug 23 2022

3

good album, I can understand its importance

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Tue Sep 27 2022

5

excellent!

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Wed Oct 05 2022

5

Didn’t know what to expect, loved this.

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Wed Oct 05 2022

5

First album of Captain Beefheart might be his best. Combination of blues and psychedelic rock: very accessible but still far from being straightforward. Favourite track: Electricity.

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Fri Oct 07 2022

5

So eclectic, at some points made me feel like I was in one of those dreams where you can't tell if it's a nightmare or not. Like any minute something will go wrong but it never quite does.

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Mon Oct 24 2022

5

Absolutely fantastic album. Five stars. Gets a pretty regular rotation from me.

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Mon Dec 05 2022

5

Quite the introduction to Captain Beefheart. Definitely need to hear more of him. This shit is cool.

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Fri Dec 30 2022

5

Oh Captain my Captain! The thing that really annoys me about Trout Mask is that is completely overshadows the rest of his his exceptional output. Lennon loved this record and for two good reasons: great song writing and a great performance by the band. He sets the template for so much pop music to come, he's got a fine ear for melody does Don, but he also know how to create the right feel through the performance. We often think about the context in which these 60's records appear, and this must have sounded amazing to 1967 ears. So much of what he's doing with each and every genre on this record has now become part of the modern soundscape, but back then, oy vey! Ry Cooder is Al Kooper's music doppelganger, whenever he pops up, he does to great effect. I don't think he's ever been on a bad record, what a player. And who has been listening to this record in their sheds eh? I'd count young Tommy Waits and those two kids from Akron Ohio known as the Black Keys as dedicated fans of this album amongst many others. And I wonder if Georgie Harrison started thinking about doing his thing on the slide after listening to this (might be why he asked Delaney to show him how to do it). Each song is splendid, a truly great record.

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Thu Jan 19 2023

5

About as good as it gets. First track 'Sure 'Nuff 'n Yes I Do' has one of the greatest opening lines in rock music. The run of 'Electricity', 'Yellow Brick Road', Abba Zabba' and 'Plastic Factory' is remarkable, packing in more than many bands do in their careers. 'Abba Zabba' is one of my favourite songs of all time - there's one point where Ry Cooder's guitar simply glides. Beefheart sounds utterly demented, utterly in control. There was no need for any blues rock after 'Plastic Factory', it's all there, right there.

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Mon Feb 06 2023

5

I bought this album a few weeks ago. It's funny because for years, I avoided Captain Beefheart like the plague, just because of the hoax/scam/swindle that Trout Mask Replica is (at least to my ears). I think I'm an open-minded person, but there's a limit to the sort of musical nonsense one should be exposed to. And affecting some sort of conceptual pretension to justify the barrage of sheer crap that this other record is is NOT an acceptable solution for me. I'd rather plug my ears with toilet paper, thank you. In other words, Thelonious Monk, my ass (to refer to a stupid comparison I've often read to describe Beefheart's hoax here). Trout Mask Replica is just an interesting footnote in the pages of music history, not an essential album you must absolutely listen to. I'll fight tooth and nail anyone who says the contrary. Even a genius like David Lynch (who once said he loves this record). The thing is, it was a stupid mistake on my part to start my exploration of Beefheart's repertoire with this particular album. As it turns out, I really like what Beefheart and his "magic band" did before TMR (*Safe As Milk*) and after it (*The Spotlight Kid*). The grassroots yet twisted tunes of *Safe As Milk*, especially, have something quite addictive to them. Beefheart's growl on this collection of blues songs serves them right--as in opener "Sure 'Nuff 'N Yes I Do"--just as said growl nicely contrasts with the stellar musicianship of the band (including a young Ry Cooder, or so I hear). I also enjoy the stylistic asides this record go through, especially the more psychedelic cuts or that mock doo wop soul ballad that "I'm Glad" is. And my oh my! "Electricity". What an incredible track! Here is the sort of experimentation that can be both haunting and mesmerizing. I know David Lynch has been listening to this song as well (there's a literal quote of Von Vliet's delivery of the song's chorus in the Twin Peaks movie, for instance). And here I certainly won't contend with man's genius. This song and its incredible instrumentation is the cherry on the cake here. And its inclusion in *Safe As Milk* finally reconciled me with anything Beefheart. Except Trout Mask Replica, of course. Maybe with more *real* groove and a theremin, as in "Electricity", I would have liked that other album. Too bad Von Vliet never thought of that. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: less than 700, I've temporarily lost count here Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens:  approximately a half so far (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: a quarter Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): the last quarter

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Thu Feb 16 2023

5

COOLIO DADDY

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Mon Mar 20 2023

5

amazing and inventive

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Thu Apr 13 2023

5

This album stands the test of time! Straight ahead blues rock Crank it up and ENJOY the Captain!!!

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Sun May 14 2023

5

I debated whether to listen to the stereo or mono releases of this album and then decided to try both. I was surprised at the difference - the stereo presentation opens up the songs and I the difference was a lot more than I expected. This is one of those bands I kept hearing of over the years but I didn’t have any sense of what their music was like. The blues are strong here and I liked that part, but the more rock guitars and other interesting bits (like a theremin!) really hooked me. I didn’t think this was my style of music but Captain Beefheart may have made that thought obsolete. I guess I like my blues with a hit of acid. I listened to this four times in a row and each time liked this more and more. Fantastic!

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Sun May 14 2023

5

I've heard of Captain Beefheart a lot but had not ever listened and expected something much weirder. This is a charming, fairly unweird, blues-rock album and I liked it very much.

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Thu Jun 15 2023

5

Safe As Milk is probably the most accessible Captain Beefheart I’ve listened to but that doesn’t mean it lacks weird. I’ve always enjoyed this album, bluesy, Jammy, quirky. Beefheart even slows it down and gets romantic on I’m so Glad. This is a 5 star

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Fri Jun 16 2023

5

Safe as Milk.

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Fri Jun 16 2023

5

Great

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Mon Jun 26 2023

5

Spot on

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Mon Jul 24 2023

5

Got into this a good decade or so ago, needs a couple of listens to appreciate how great it is, while also being pretty accessible straight away. I love the fact that Dropout Boogie is followed immediately by I'm Glad, two songs that couldn't be more different to eachother. The listener settles back and relaxes into the silky soul. And then wham! Electricity wallops them in the face. So many bangers. Fucking magical album.

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Fri Aug 11 2023

5

Didn't expect it to like it this much. Sounded raw and heavy and at other times like soul. Good stuff.

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Mon Oct 09 2023

5

A great Blues Rock record. I like the energetic first half of the record more but the rest is still fantastic!

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Wed Nov 08 2023

5

A very pleasant mix of the Doors, Animals, and Ben E. King. Got completed for playing it and will definitely listen again. 4.75

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Thu Nov 09 2023

5

I only knew "so glad" which is a song I really liked, but the rest of the album was great too! Seems like quite a progressive sound for 1967, I can see how it has gone on to be very influential.

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Fri Nov 10 2023

5

Its a great album, altough it can be a little hard to listen if the person are not used to prog/jazz/experimental. But for me its amazing.

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Fri Nov 10 2023

5

"Zig Zag Wanderer" - a bop, "I'm Glad" - a sad banger. Cpt. Beefheart & His (indeed) Magic Band had absolute range with this album. Loved loved it!

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Tue Nov 14 2023

5

incomprehensibly pretentious just the way I like it - 10/10

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Sun Nov 26 2023

5

Beatles-lite. Great jams.

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Wed Nov 29 2023

5

This is the only Captain Beefheart album I thoroughly enjoy. Stuff like Trout Mask Replica is too experimental for me. I like him more when his weirdness is tethered to traditional form. Here he’s still strange and unique and unpredictable, but he’s matched with songs that are catchy and flat out rock. This is one of my favorites of the Nuggets psychedelic garage rock era.

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Fri Sep 02 2022

4

A "comfortable listening" example of it's genre

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Fri Sep 02 2022

4

Good album, good tracks that keep the interest. I feel is loses it's way a little near the end but the first half is solid R&B

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Mon Sep 05 2022

4

I think that this is the truest acid music. The fact that he and Zappa would compete shows through already in this album. Good stuff, maybe a hair too disjointed for a 5.

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Mon Sep 05 2022

4

Realizing that only knowing this band from Trout Mask Replica was a very limited impression. This is some great 60s electric blues (with some theremin & such thrown in) and I’m here for it. HL: Zig Zag…, I’m Glad,

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Fri Sep 09 2022

4

Good album - mix of traditional and innovative.

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Fri Sep 16 2022

4

A perfectly okay blues rock album. Not particularly crazy. "Electricity" stood out for whatever reason. Riding very close to the line between 3 and 4

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Wed Sep 21 2022

4

This was nothing like their other album on this list, and that's a great thing. Best track: Safe As Milk - Take 5

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Thu Sep 22 2022

4

If John Lennon thinks your milk is safe enough to be placed on his fridge doors, then it's good enough for the rest of us. Safe as Milk provides a plentiful introduction into the madness that occupied the brain of one Don Van Vliet; a madness that would coagulate into creating one of the most infamous albums ever recorded. But that had yet to be seen as this album fits into neat pockets of R&B musings and fledgling psychedelic rock, showcasing that the Magic Band can remain in the game while being simultaneously out of it. This milk is safe enough for me. Favorites: Sure 'Nuff 'n' Yes, I Do, Zig Zag Wanderer, Call on Me, I'm Glad, Abba Zaba, Where There's Woman, Grown So Ugly, Autumn Child, Safe as Milk - Take 5, On Tomorrow, Trust Us - Take 9.

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Thu Sep 22 2022

4

4.25

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Fri Sep 23 2022

4

I realize it’s not ground breaking now. But imagine being on a ton of acid at some club and this band comes on and just blows your top off. That’s be fun…..

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Fri Sep 23 2022

4

This was dope! Solid bluesy classic rock with some wacky elements and a wicked howl on vox. Other beefheart stuff is a lil too chaotic jazz rock for me to have enjoyed it. Side bar, there was a bit on the Mark Maron show (I think that was a thing?) where he was like I needed a project so thought I'd try to get into Captain Beefheart, but I was so nervous buying it at the record store cuz I'm not cool enough and everyones laughing at me. But he buys this album (I'd guess it was this one, don't remember) and then hes at a taqueria afterwards and the cashier is like "Oh I love Captain Beefheart, Safe As Milk is a great starter album". Haha kind of how I feel.

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Wed Sep 28 2022

4

4.5/5. I love this album. It comes from my favorite era of music, and is in my favorite style. While it is kind of out there, I still find it great.

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Wed Sep 28 2022

4

Some very cool stuff in here. Not something I would listen to regularly, but some very important ideas.

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Fri Sep 30 2022

4

What can I say, Captain Beedheart it's an absolute legend

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Mon Oct 03 2022

4

A lot less weird than Trout Mask Replica which I still kind of struggle with, but still an absolute freakshow of a record. Delightful stuff

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Wed Oct 05 2022

4

Great album. Not one I play often, but always enjoy it when I do.

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Wed Oct 12 2022

4

i liked this a lot! have been recced beefheart before, i’m gonna listen to more now

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Wed Oct 12 2022

4

Really solid album. Not the kind of album I seek out for a relisten but glad I heard it. A fun blend of blues jazz and that 60s instrumental avant garde

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Wed Oct 12 2022

4

I like the rhythm tracks to every song, especially the bluesy guitar - I thought maybe I would have enjoyed it more if the Captain's vocal delivery was dialed back a bit, but without that weirdness it would have been just another 60s psychedelic blues album. As it is, It's a brave and eclectic for 1967.

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Sun Nov 06 2022

4

nooniin vihdoinkin 60 luvun albumia joka nappaa... vähän originaalimpaa soittamista kun viimeset viisi vittu 60 luvun amerikka liibalaaba max 2min biisit hey everybody beatles kopio paskaa. vaihtelee laatu kyllä tässäkin aika paljon albumin pyöriessä konsanaan mutta paskimmatkin on parempia kun nEV ITU alkaa vituttaa.... maito se turvaa on on on.. juokaa että luut kasvaa hoh hoh hoh.... parap biisi autumn's child

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Fri Nov 25 2022

4

"This is the first album of Captain Beefheart, one he did before getting signed on Bizzare records of Zappa and being given complete creative control." Mislim da je sve rečeno s tim. Ovaj bend da ne pišem cijeli naziv je jako poznat po "Trout Mask Replica", pogotovo u glazbenoj grupi u kojoj sam, već sigurno 5-6 godina se zna spominjati taj album, ma i više, u posljednje vrijeme ne, ajde. Ali odatle znam za njih. Ovaj album sam ove godine dao poslušati, i svidio mi se. Normalniji je album, to je sigurno, blues je jako prisutan i taj stari, analogni zvuk, ne znam kako bi opisao - mi se jako sviđa. Abba Zaba mi je favoritna sa albuma, ima još ponekih, ali se uvijek ove sjetim pa ću ju napisati evo sada upravo. '67 godina is fucking stacked with classics!

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Wed Nov 30 2022

4

Really good rockabilly album Love the voice in certain song

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Fri Dec 02 2022

4

Only knew the weird, brilliant Trout Mask Replica of Beefheart, was surprised by this more traditional debut album. Was pleasant surprise. The last bonus track Korn Ring Finger is addictive, had to play it over and over

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Fri Dec 30 2022

4

A lot of the Captain’s work is difficult to deal with. However this, their debut album, is user-friendly. Musically, it takes no prisoners. Lyrically, it’s not always easy to decipher, but it’s far easier than what was to come on future lp’s. Ry Cooder has a lot to do with the quality of this recording. Both his playing & arranging. The album kicks arse from the opening tracks, Sure ‘Nuff ‘N Yes I Do & Zig Zag Wanderer, which is one of Beefheart’s most covered songs. It’s very blues-influenced but, like most Beefheart, manages to maintain it’s very own flavour.

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Mon Jan 09 2023

4

captain beefheart vs lieutenant lambchop and the battle for manx throne. this is the kind of beefheart that we can actually listen to and in fact enjoy.

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Mon Jan 09 2023

4

I really enjoyed this, until the instrumentals. Those really dragged on personally. Saved tracks: Zig Zag Wanderer, Abba Zaba, Autumn's Child

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Wed Jan 18 2023

4

Bra skiva! Svår att få lust att sätta på p.g.a. 70 min längd men så fort man börjar lyssna går tiden snabbt

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Wed Jan 18 2023

4

Love this album. Great bluesy, soulful and out-there songs that too often get overshadowed by their outrageously out-there subsequent works. I’d like to give this a 5, but I feel that as a whole it doesn’t quite reach that level. It is quite close, however

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Wed Jan 18 2023

4

Gold de baa gåå såå håårtt

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Wed Jan 25 2023

4

I'll be honest, I couldn't always tell what they were signing, but somehow liked it anyway.

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Fri Jan 27 2023

4

This is with a caveat. I assume Trout Mask Replica will be on the list. I would only include one Captain Beefheart release and that would be it. Safe as Milk introduced the Captain's odd, avant guard version of blues-rock. This is more "commercial" than the releases that would follow. It is very strange and explosive at times but is still mainstream. I don't play Captain Beefheart often, but this is compelling, challenging rock.

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Fri Jan 27 2023

4

Pretty good, but I sure they'll never make a dime. 4 stars.

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Wed Feb 01 2023

4

I'm familiar with trout mask replica, so I feared the worse, but this wasn't half bad, I quite enjoyed it. Definitely worth a second listen.

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Sun Feb 12 2023

4

ok

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Mon Feb 13 2023

4

Momento maravilhoso de sonoridade poderosa com guitarras se destacando no blues se tornando rock clássico. Ainda provocou a audição do disco de trilha sonora Lawless com a versão do Mark Lanegan para Sure 'Nuff 'N Yes I Do.

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Wed Feb 22 2023

4

Froggy Blues, good stuff.

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Sun Feb 26 2023

4

This guy must've been on so many drugs that it's near unimaginable, that's the only way I could understand coming up with an album like this. It's almost like nothing I've heard before and yet, there's something about it that keeps me listening.

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Fri Mar 03 2023

4

Ik kende alleen Trout Mask Replica van Captain beefheart dus ik deed al m’n riemen vast toen ik deze op zette. Verrassend genoeg een zeer toegankelijk blues album met genoeg hoogtepunten. De weirdness van Trout Mask Replica is een stuk minder op dit album te luisteren, ondanks nog wat absurde teksten na.

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Wed Mar 08 2023

4

psychodelic rorrrr

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Thu Mar 09 2023

4

Oh they are a Doors cover band In the end a lot of fun, but not what I expected from their name.

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Fri Mar 10 2023

4

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: I’m glad, Yellow brick road

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Thu Mar 23 2023

4

Definitely not for everyone. If you're a Beefheart fan (and I am) this is a great album. He eventually quit making music and changed to being a visual artist because (supposedly) he could never get the musicians to play the music the way he heard it in his head.

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Sun Apr 09 2023

4

Ok I will bite on this one and go never listened, did listen, very listenable. All over in barely 30 mins and some actual tunes and great guitar (courtesy Ry Cooder) to go with DGV's ultra raspy vocals. Hard to believe it would two albums to go from this to Trout Mask Replica.

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Mon Apr 24 2023

4

Great album, way ahead of its time. 4.5/5

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Wed Apr 26 2023

4

Interesting, innovative album that still holds true to it's R&B roots

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Fri Apr 28 2023

4

It's no Trout Mask Replica, but it'll do. "Safe As Milk" is funny as titles go. Wikipedia says that there was a ton of controversy with this album, and it eventually led to the band getting dropped by A&M. Without listening to the lyrics, this is a "safe" album. Musically it fits with its era. Safe. The lyrics are humorous. There's a lot of personality in this collection of songs. I love its sense of whimsy.

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Sat Apr 29 2023

4

Fine blues

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Mon Apr 24 2023

4

Electricity was a stinky full diaper but I liked every thing else. Where There’s Woman is my favorite.

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Sun Apr 30 2023

4

Blues-inspired whimsey. Good.

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Mon May 01 2023

4

Not quite as gonzo as Trout Mask Replica, which makes it more listenable. I will probably come back to this one more than I will TMR.

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Thu May 04 2023

4

Ik dacht dat dit te raar zou zijn voor me, maar dit album is nog heel prima te pruimen. Met regelmatige vlagen wat aparte vocals, begeleid door heerlijke blues-achtige oude rock. Dan is het vooral de vraag of de zang teveel gaat irriteren en dat deed het gelukkig niet. Dat de individuele nummers en het album zelf ook niet te lang zijn helpt wel mee. "Dropout Boogie" en "Plastic Factory" zelfs in een playlistje geplempt.

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Sun May 14 2023

4

I enjoyed the somewhat weird blues here.

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Tue Jun 06 2023

4

Plus one for the variety. Beef heart, you do have a magic band.

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Thu Jun 15 2023

4

I was expecting much more weirdness as it is Captain Beefheart but this was relatively normal and accessible. This wasn't at all similar to much of the work he's done with Frank Zappa even though some of it is more "normal". I will probably go back and listen to this again.

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Mon Jul 03 2023

4

Quite a special record. Glad has been a stable on my playlists for a long time. 4

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Mon Jul 17 2023

4

A fantastic album. As a big Tom Waits fan, I was put onto this album a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Interesting sound throughout and well worth the listen.

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Wed Jul 19 2023

4

Just a little weird. Some of the bluesier songs are fantastic. Some of it gets a bit experimental and drags for someone who's not very into that style. I hear this is the less weird of some of his albums, so I don't think I'm likely to go seek those out, but there are a few songs on here that I wouldn't mind popping up on a playlist here and there in the future.

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Mon Jul 31 2023

4

When they made normal music

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Wed Aug 02 2023

4

Not as great as the unavailable Trout Mask Replica, but still a great introduction to the acid blues of Captain Beefheart. Some of the tracks are more straightforward blues than others, definitely a lot of drug fueled experimentation, but it never feels overdone. There are some tracks that border on radio friendly. Also surprisingly fresh given its age. Sort of sounds like if someone made nails on a chalkboard pleasing to the ears. Ry Cooder’s guitars playing is phenomenal, as are Van Vliet’s vocals.

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Sun Aug 06 2023

4

Okay, there is quite a difference between this album and "Trout Mask Replica". Essentially, when Captain Beefheart is not trying to be the most unique person in the room (or the whole world), his music is really good. Perfect combination of blues, psych rock, traditional rock, with a big dose of weird Captains vocal. I'm still not used to it, but when the music is more comprehensive and not as exaggerated, it doesn't bother anyone that much. After the lowest note for TMR, it is time for some redemption. Now that I know more of their music and their history, aI can say that maybe it wasn't the most appropriate note. To balance it out, I'll give a good 4/5 for Safe As Milk, even though it really deserves a note like this without this background.

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Wed Aug 23 2023

4

Pretty awesome blues/rock album that feels very 60s.

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Thu Aug 24 2023

4

This was great, eccentric Blues. I even listened to the additional 7 bonus tracks I was so intrigued. Ultimately an artist I had been meaning to check out long term and glad to finally get the opportunity.

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Fri Sep 01 2023

4

That was a fun, bluesy ride. That's definitely a nice surprise from a band with a really dumb name. "Yellow Brick Road" had a nice plot twist in the middle. I will definitely give this album another listen.

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Fri Sep 01 2023

4

I kind of loved this

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Sun Sep 03 2023

4

Me levou para outra época. Gostei.

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Thu Sep 07 2023

4

Utterly bonkers

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Tue Sep 19 2023

4

Possibly my fav of his.

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