Reviews (page 3 of 7)
So fun!
Blues rock that isn’t afraid to let its freak flag fly. The production is pretty rough and the band sounds like they haven’t overthought or over-produced anything here. They captured a great energy — crunchy blues riffs with stranger sounds and psychedelia mixed in. I really enjoyed the last Captain Beefheart album on this list, “Trout Mask Replica,” and I remember noting that some of the songs were essentially blues songs buried underneath noise and experimentation. Hearing their debut album and realizing they were more or less a blues rock outfit at the start makes a lot of sense.
This was weird, eclectic, goofy, and really fun to listen to.
It's a bit rough but super fun and weird. Very 60's. Definitely I would put it on again. If I had one big knock I would criticize the recording/production. Maybe another complaint would be it's a bit on the silly side (druggy side?).
I wasn't sure about this at first—it seemed like the quaint first offering of a band that had yet to find its voice—but it grew on me. I liked how varied it was, and they're having a good time. I don't know that it's a masterpiece, but it's better than I expected. I prefer my Beefheart weirder, but this is still pretty badass.
I dug this! A couple songs sounded vaguely familiar and I only heard of Captain Beefheart bc if his Zappa connection. 1967…what a year!
Weird and whacky blues album. Love it
What a mood, what an interesting mood. Blues but wonky.
A much much better Captain Beefheart album. Very much 1960s bluesy rock n roll. I enjoyed this quite a bit.
First thing that stood out to me was that incredible bass in Zig Zag Wanderer. The entire album is a fun blues inspired whole.
Surprisingly enjoyable. Knew the name but don't think I ever listened to any of his music (not deliberately anyway). Worth 4 stars.
Big bag of fun. Favorite: Abba Zaba. Plenty interesting enough to belong on this list, on its own merits and as a item of cultural import. A bit much to be regular listening, though.
This was pretty cool. A little goofy at times, but groovy enough to hold it together. Quite reminiscent of The Who. 4/5 Highlights: Zig Zag Wanderer Electricity
I had heard a little Beefheart before this. I like this, the blues foundation makes it all very listenable
Wasn’t totally feeling the first two songs, but I ended up really enjoying this. A little all over the place, but I love this kind of 60s weirdness. Some of it gave me Scott Walker vibes, who I love. My favorite songs are “Call On Me,” “Dropout Boogie,” “I’m Glad,” and “Yellow Brick Road.” Solid album overall.
Damn, another from Captain Beefheart and it bangs again. Quirky rock with enough of an edge to stand out from the pack some 50-60 years later. Looks like they get the last laugh, eh? Favorite tracks: Sure Nuff, Zig Zag Wanderer, I'm Glad, Electricity, Plastic Factory, Dirty Blue Gene, Korn Ring Finger. Album art: Very unassuming, nondescript, especially for a weirdo band of this stature. Unsurprising given it was their debut, but still unfortunate because just seeing this I would've never been intrigued enough to play it. 4/5
This was weirdly more accessible than I expected. A good level of complexity and blend here. Nice to listen to and a bit challenging if you're listening in for it.
This is surprising me. An interesting mix of the Blues and psychedelic rock of the 1960s. There might be too much here. I'll probably dive into to this again.
Quite enjoyed this album. It was only a matter of time before I stumbled on Beefheart; surprisingly hadn't listened to much of him before. Listenable with some great musicianship.
3.6
Much more accessible than the trout album, actually really enjoyed this one, a few of the instrumental songs went on a bit, but the rest was right up my street.
First song has my attention. I’m not sure if I had ever heard any of their music. Not hat I was expecting. All I knew was the band’s name. And Ry Cooder is one of the guitar players! A Zappa buddy! Almost a perfect album for its time. This band could’ve made at least Major.
Ran out of time yesterday so I haven't gathered enough thoughts on 'Safe As Milk,' the debut record from Captain Beefheart. But I've listened to this record a few times, having done a re-listen just a few months ago and concluded that it is indeed enjoyable and perhaps BETTER than 'Trout Mask Replica' but nowhere near as fun to think about. I don't know, something about Captain Beefheart's whole DEAL, his attitude, his swagger. When a nerd can still walk into any room and own the place while letting his freak flag fly high, it gives mere mortals like us a supercharge of confidence. I'll have to credit Captain Beefheart for creating such stunning images with words and pairing them so deliciously with sounds. I don't know he managed to make a whole career of it, but he did. You listen to his Howlin' Wolf-soaked-in-bourbon vocals and think, "yeah, that sounds like someone called Captain Beefheart." You listen to 'Trout Mask Replica' from 1969, widely considered to be inaccessible to the grand majority but a work of genius for a small yet influential minority, and think, "yes, this sounds like whatever a trout mask replica is and whoever would make such a thing and find it useful." The song "Zig Zag Wanderer" makes wonderful use of panning at the very beginning to echo the hard left and right momentum in the song's title. I'm not sure if Captain Beefheart could read the writing on the wall about the dairy-based diet back in 1967, but given that he was always a forward-thinker, it doesn't surprise me if his introduction to the world was an album that leaves its listeners satisfied yet a tiny bit unsettled. 'Safe as Milk.' Anyway. The drums in "Electricity" is probably my favourite moment of the record so hats off to John French and hats of to Ry Cooder whose guitar playing does flesh the album's contours quite nicely. A-
This starts off great - really enjoyable bluesy blues. It doesn't feel exploitative, like so much white boy blues.
Groovy and driving and one's glad to have made this record's acquaintance. Certainly one prefers the controlled (but still rough-on-the-edges) flow and the referencable song structures (e.g., "I'm Glad") here to the artier and more out there aspects of Trout Mask Replica. Though not exactly one's cup of tea, it's not hard to recognize the orginality and willingness to be different (even if it times it can seem a bit willful and forced). "Where There's Woman" sounds authentically swampy, as do other of the country-bluesy cuts. Again, the quality (including "Yellow Brick Road" and "Trust Us") suffers under the weight of the unnecessary quantity. Indeed the several effective instrumentals suggests they might have succeeded by staying deep in that particular groove. One knows their reputation for being "a huge influence on ..." but one is somewhat skeptical and wishes there was a reliable or more precise way to quantify other than editors' claims.
Before things got really freaky, this debut album by Captain Beefheart demands much less from the listener than some later work will. Some of it may even be familiar as music to your ears.
A safer CB album. My dad would be proud at my four star ranking.
Cool. Fun
Was absolutely hooked from the first few bars. Lovely, bluesy, rocky nonsense
Fully prepared to dislike because of the Frank Zappa influence (and if you follow my reviews, you know how I feel about FZ and why). However, a couple tracks in and I'm not hating. Let's see where it goes. Very bluesy and soulful, kind of like Jerry Lee Lewis or BB King at times (I'm Glad), but then will take a hallucinatory turn with experimental sounding rock and random vocal moments (Electricity) that make no sense yet add to the groove. Then Autumn's Child lands in the mix like a trippy beat poetry reading. It's a mixed bag. I think his vocal range is rad, though.
This must be the most accessible Beefheart, but that doesn’t mean it’s not damn good. 4/5
### In-Depth Review of "Safe As Milk" by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band #### Overview "Safe As Milk," the debut album by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band, was released in 1967. It stands as a landmark in the development of rock music, blending blues, rock, and avant-garde elements into a unique and influential sound. The album was produced by Richard Perry and features a young Ry Cooder on guitar. #### Lyrics Captain Beefheart, born Don Van Vliet, is known for his surreal and abstract lyrical style. On "Safe As Milk," his lyrics range from the whimsical to the profoundly strange, often evoking vivid imagery and unexpected turns of phrase. **Key Tracks and Lyrical Themes:** 1. **"Sure 'Nuff 'n Yes I Do"**: This opening track showcases Beefheart's knack for playful, blues-inspired storytelling. The lyrics mix traditional blues themes with Beefheart’s unique perspective. 2. **"Zig Zag Wanderer"**: This song deals with themes of freedom and non-conformity. The phrase "zig zag" represents a deviation from the norm, reflecting the countercultural ethos of the 1960s. 3. **"Dropout Boogie"**: This track offers a cynical take on societal pressures and the concept of dropping out of mainstream expectations. 4. **"Electricity"**: One of the more avant-garde tracks, the lyrics and vocal delivery mimic the unpredictability and power of electricity itself. **Pros:** - **Innovative Language:** The lyrics often defy conventional structure, creating a fresh and intriguing listening experience. - **Imagery:** Vivid and surreal imagery that enhances the listening experience. **Cons:** - **Accessibility:** The abstract nature of the lyrics may be difficult for some listeners to fully grasp or appreciate. #### Music Musically, "Safe As Milk" is a melting pot of styles. It draws heavily from blues and rock but is imbued with experimental sounds and rhythms that were ahead of its time. **Key Musical Elements:** 1. **Blues Influence**: Many tracks, such as "Sure 'Nuff 'n Yes I Do" and "Plastic Factory," are grounded in traditional blues structures but are given a unique twist through Beefheart's unorthodox delivery and the band's instrumentation. 2. **Psychedelic and Avant-Garde Elements**: Songs like "Electricity" and "Autumn's Child" incorporate unconventional sounds, time signatures, and rhythms. 3. **Ry Cooder's Guitar Work**: Cooder's slide guitar is a standout feature on many tracks, providing a raw and authentic blues feel. **Pros:** - **Musical Diversity:** The album’s wide range of styles keeps it engaging and unpredictable. - **Technical Proficiency:** The musicianship is top-notch, particularly Cooder's guitar work and Drumbo’s complex rhythms. **Cons:** - **Cohesion:** The eclectic mix of styles can sometimes feel disjointed. #### Production The production of "Safe As Milk" was handled by Richard Perry, who managed to balance the raw energy of the band with a clear and punchy sound. **Production Highlights:** 1. **Sound Quality**: For its time, the album boasts impressive sound quality, with each instrument clearly defined in the mix. 2. **Innovative Techniques**: The use of theremin on "Electricity" and other experimental sounds showcase the willingness to push boundaries. **Pros:** - **Clarity:** Each instrument is distinct, allowing the complexity of the music to shine. - **Innovation:** The production techniques used were ahead of their time, contributing to the album's unique sound. **Cons:** - **Consistency:** The production quality varies slightly between tracks, which can be jarring. #### Themes "Safe As Milk" explores a variety of themes, reflecting the turbulent and transformative era of the late 1960s. **Major Themes:** 1. **Non-conformity and Rebellion**: Many tracks encourage listeners to break away from societal norms and embrace individuality. 2. **Nature and Surrealism**: Songs like "Autumn's Child" and "Yellow Brick Road" incorporate natural and surreal imagery, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. 3. **Critique of Modern Life**: Tracks like "Dropout Boogie" and "Plastic Factory" offer a critical view of modern industrial society and its impact on individuals. **Pros:** - **Depth and Variety:** The album covers a wide range of themes, making it intellectually stimulating. - **Relevance:** Many themes are still relevant today, particularly those related to non-conformity and societal critique. **Cons:** - **Complexity:** The thematic complexity might be overwhelming for some listeners. #### Influence "Safe As Milk" has had a profound influence on various genres and artists. Its blend of blues, rock, and avant-garde elements helped pave the way for future experimental and progressive rock acts. **Key Influences:** 1. **Punk and New Wave**: The album's raw energy and non-conformist attitude influenced the punk movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s. 2. **Alternative and Indie Rock**: Bands like The Pixies and Sonic Youth have cited Captain Beefheart as a major influence. 3. **Experimental Music**: The album’s innovative use of sound and structure has inspired countless experimental and avant-garde musicians. **Pros:** - **Longevity:** The album’s influence is still felt in modern music. - **Pioneering Spirit:** "Safe As Milk" pushed the boundaries of what rock music could be. **Cons:** - **Niche Appeal:** While influential, the album’s avant-garde nature means it has a more limited mainstream appeal. ### Pros and Cons Summary **Pros:** - **Innovative Lyrics and Music:** The album is a pioneering work that blends various genres and introduces new musical ideas. - **Musicianship:** High level of technical skill from the band members, particularly Ry Cooder. - **Production Quality:** For its time, the album’s production is clear and innovative. - **Thematic Depth:** The album explores a range of complex and relevant themes. - **Influence:** "Safe As Milk" has had a lasting impact on numerous musical genres and artists. **Cons:** - **Accessibility:** The abstract and avant-garde elements may not appeal to all listeners. - **Cohesion:** The eclectic mix of styles can sometimes feel disjointed. - **Complexity:** Both the lyrical and thematic complexity might be overwhelming for some listeners. - **Niche Appeal:** The album’s unique sound may not have broad mainstream appeal. ### Conclusion "Safe As Milk" by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band is a seminal album that continues to be celebrated for its innovation and influence. Its blend of blues, rock, and avant-garde elements, coupled with surreal and thought-provoking lyrics, set it apart from other albums of its time. While its abstract nature and eclectic mix of styles might not be for everyone, those who appreciate musical experimentation and boundary-pushing creativity will find much to admire. The album’s lasting impact on various musical genres underscores its significance as a groundbreaking work in the history of rock music.
Rough, bluesey, occasionally meandering and ... Weird. An excellent album if not altogether pleasant. Sorta hippie rock, jazz, blues, thick with drugs. Enjoyable.
This is the most accessible Captain Beefheart album, with some quite remarkable moments. It dips a little here and there, especially with the maybe comical (?) “I’m Glad.” But the first two tracks should be enough to draw you in and keep you on the lookout for more weird greatness.
Low down dirty greasy psychedelic blues rock. Ry Cooder guitar work and Beefhearts Howlin Wolf like vocals are the highlights of this album for sure.
Blues weirdness. But quite listenable.
Wacky album with blues and rock inspirations. Not as unhinged as trout mask yet. 4/5
Liked the drum and bass
This one was all over the place for me, some tracks really dug and others not so much, but overall better than average.
Some decent 60's rock and roll. It feels a little experimental in spots. I didn't find myself singing along to any of the tracks, but I enjoyed listening to them all.
In Safe as Milk, Captain Beefheart was already showing their signature sound, not as intense as in Trout Mask Replica, but they were on their way. The album is a great mix of experimental music and charisma. It is something I’ll go back to in a near future.
This is why I keep returning to this page. So wildly unique, so good!
Interesting composition on every number
Love this one, owned a copy 30 years. It's the beginning of the whole Junkyard Blues thing, white guys making raggedy loud blues music, that Tom Waits, Jon Spencer and the White Stripes among others would also do. Don's Howlin' Wolf vocals over the top of the well drilled bands' (including a young Ry Cooder) jangly stomp dominates this one. But it also has the proverbial "psychedelic gleam in it's eye", and is not afraid to break into outright crooning in places. I think one of the most genuine and likeable albums of the late 60s psychedelic explosion. A real touch stone and full of catchy if a but wonky songs too.
Foundational and varied
Yeah this was very nice surprise. 4/5
What a wild roller coaster of an album!
Seems like it's Quirky Dude June. Yesterday we had Frank Zappa and the Mothers, today it's Captain Beefheart. Lovely. Fun dumb music for my fun dumb mind. Safer than Trout Mask Replica (and milk, apparently), but that's not really saying much, innit. "Electricity" vaguely reminded me of a King Gizzard song. Goes to show how ahead of its time this is.
Stopped halfway through but it’s fun and weird, especially for the time. Enjoyed.
This album doesn’t fit in with the whole Summer of Love image, does it? It’s covered in grit, got spots all over it, and flies under the radar, the kind of music you’d find outside the green where everyone is making daisy chains and dancing in circles and just generally engaging in a “love” fest (all paid for by the parents, by the way). Funny thing about the album title, though: Vliet wanted to name the album after his favorite candy bar but couldn’t get permission, so he changed the name to “Safe as Milk”. Safe, as in not getting sued? Though not the intent of Vliet, I always think of this album as referencing future TMR...compared to that album, this their debut certainly is safe.
I dig the heavy R&B garage sound, but the band does drift into silliness and/or tedium at times: a sign of what was to come on subsequent albums. I have to give the Captain et al credit for taking a risk though. The rock world was evolving very quickly at this time and to do an album of straight-ahead 1964-style burners wouldn't have been very innovative in 1967 — especially for anyone who anyone who had been there for Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Howlin' Wolf, Rufus Thomas, Little Richard, etc.
Blues rock, psychedelic rock. One word describes this album, and that is "raw". It's got the energy, it's quirky, somewhat abstract, and it has passion. Just not a whole lot of polish. Which is good, a mix of these genres needs to feel less like a studio album and more like a band you caught at a gig one time. I think given some more time and more listens to the genres and bands that Captain Beefheart pulls from, I would like it more, but I did have fun as a first time listen to this band. Should revisit. Strong 3.5/5
3/4
I guess I might call it "blues from hell". There's a really sinister undertone to this record, not in the arrangements, but in the... aura? Maybe it's singer Don Van Vliet's delivery. It's definitely an easier listen than "Trout Mask Replica", but then again, most music is. I like the rootsy, folky undertones of this record. Think it requires further study. Favorite tracks: "Electricity", "Yellow Brick Road", "Abba Zabba"
Utter madness. Crazy lyrics, self-indulgent bluesy jam sessions poured into your ears. Nice.
Remembering my listening experience with Trout Mask Replica, it took me a couple tries before finally hitting play on this one. I was relieved to find 'Safe As Milk' listenable and unpretentious. Big fan of the bass guitar action in particular. Unfortunately, I am now concerned that I should revisit Trout Mask Replica. Highlights: Sure 'Nuff 'n' Yes, I Do, Zig Zag Wanderer, Call On Me, Electricity, Autumn's Child
Ended up listening to this twice as I enjoyed this so much. It's very stylish and I think true to the style. Varied and kept it interesting
many people know this guy, me included for trout mask replica, a really infamous avant-garde/outsider music album. this one is definitely a lot more cohesive, really mellowed out yet really trippy rock. early panning experiments. is that a thermin?
Oh god, low expectations on this one. This is fine. It’s actually a lot closer to great.
Really good!
years ahead
This is easily Beefy's most accessible record, and in my opinion, a more entertaining effort than later albums (not you Trout Mask, I promise). But it's far from an immediate hit for most listeners. This one is a grower, and I only like it now because I've been around it it a few times. I wonder if that's how my wife feels...
Uniquely adventurous and uncompromising in its approach to avant-garde, psychedelic blues.
4.5 I like
every song slaps, fantastic collection of (weirder than normal for the decade) 60’s psychedelic rock and blues rock, with flourishes of soul and rnb in the mix too. close to a 5 star rating
Never heard of them but the song I'm Glad reminds me of songs by two other groups. Very easy to listen to.
Pretty darn good.
Fun and quirky blues album.
I've probably prematurely dismissed Captain Beefheart after hearing Trout Mask Replica many years ago and finding it pretty painful. However, I found a lot of good stuff in Safe as Milk and kept it in rotation for a few days while deciding between a strong 3 and a scraped 4. But every time it comes on I enjoy its bluesy vibes and variety so I'm going generous.
Ah. Good ol' Captain Beefheart. The absolute mad man who somehow got TROUT MASK REPLICA to exisit. And this is two albums before that. Y'know, only knowing Beefheart from TROUT MASK REPLICA, it really surprised me how... Compartively normal this album is. Sure, a bit of that weirdness is still there, particularly in the lyrics, but you compare, say, "Abba Zaba" to "Frownland", it's damn night and day here. And I actually like this lot. Like, yeah, this is pretty standard Delta blues compared to what Beefheart would later be known for, but he's got a great voice for it, and, I'unno, I jus' like me some good blues music sometimes. I mean, I only had to listen to this thing one time to understand it, so that's gotta be worth something, eh?
Captain Beefheart in his most coherent form, aided significantly by the guitar contributions of Ry Cooder.
I have been a Beefheart fan for a long time. I came across his album Doc at the Radar Station while in college and just thought it was great. Very weird. But great. I then tried Trout Mask Replica but honestly it was too weird but it was lauded by almost every critic. I never went back and listened to Safe as Milk but it is actually his most “normal” album. Some really great lyrics and some unique instrumentation.
This is my first experience with Captain Beefheart. Based on Trout Mask Replica's reputation, I expected this to be pretty out there. But you know what, it was just weird enough! I like '60s rock that isn't afraid to experiment, without becoming *too* out there. And this scratches that itch perfectly. A quirky, bluesy listen that doesn't reject soul in the search for strange. I'll be back to this one, I think.
Listened to this and a few other albums by Captain Beefheart. A few songs hold up. This was a group that hard-core rock and roll enthusiasts listened to. They didn’t get a lot of rotation on the big mainstream radio stations back then, but so few alt groups got air time when you heard, maybe, 8 songs per hour. And those eight songs were mostly bubble gum rock. Glad to see people discovering Beefheart—and liking his music—in the listener reviews.
4 stars - starting to grow on me. had only listened to TMR before
Not a band I'd listened too much, but this was a really good album.
Classic
Far Out Delta Blues.
Damn, I wish my Dad was still alive to talk to him about this album. This is right smack in his favorite decade of music and it *feels* like the music he would play occasionally. I didn't recognize a single song and yet it felt familiar. I loved it as a whole and not necessarily any specific song.
Debut from the Captain. Swamp rock mayhem that sounds way ahead of its time.
Old but nice :)
Very very nice. Still no boo radleys 4.0
I was expecting something very different based on the what I've read about Captain Beefheart. Now almost everything I know of his reputation seems based on either Doc at the Radar Station or, especially, Trout Mask Replica, both of which I've never heard. But Safe as Milk actualy sounds pretty accessible to me. And as far as blues based rock I like this album better than most. Flaming Groovies and Stooges both sound like they were influenced by this album. All in all a blues rock album that I really enjoyed listening to and will absolutely return to. 4 stars
I enjoy this earlier, normie iteration of Beefheart. It's bluesy and adventurous and stylistically diverse, while staying fairly grounded musically. It fits in with the garage rock sensibility of its era, but with little flashes of weird brilliance that tell you these guys are heading somewhere completely different. A lot of fun. Fave Songs: Electricity, I'm Glad, Zig Zag Wanderer, Abba Zaba, Yellow Brick Road, Call on Me
Good shit
That was actually pretty interesting and good.
I have to be in a certain mood to listen to Captain Beefheart. Fortunately I was in the right headspace and I thoroughly enjoyed re-listening to this weird gem. Even spent part of the day revisiting and discovering other albums of his. 4/5
I'm glad this was the introduction to captain beefheart instead of trout of mask replica, because I've been putting that off for a very long time. I feel like it's a taster of things to come. Key tracks: Dropout Boogie, I'm Glad, Electricity
I was wondering when this album was going to pop up. Captain Beefheart can get kinda weird (see "Abba Zaba"), which is probably why I associate him with Zappa—despite the fact that Zappa's weirdness is on another level. But Beefheart's also got some great blues-influenced stuff (like the album's first track, "Sure 'Nuff 'n Yes I Do"). One thing's for sure: he does his own thing. This is probably a 3.5, but I'm going to round up for once.
I like this weird early psychedelic bluesy album. It's interesting & unique. I listened to it twice.
Just the right amount of weird and funk.
Great listening to this again, as it's one I return to now and again but it had been a while. He's pulling a lot of influence from different places, but has a sound of his own. The band seems really on point, and works so well with Beefheart's voice. The arrangements keep the listener on their toes. Did not know Ry Cooder was on this! As an aside, I knew that Don Van Vliet (a.k.a. Captain Beefheart) did paintings as well, but I didn't realize it became a full fledged successful career for him - nor did I know that he was a child prodigy sculptor. What a character.
Pretty insane debut. Already a very strong sound, I assumed this was their 4th or so album in but as a debut it’s pretty impressive. Another one that doesn’t have a standout track, but rather is a true album listen. Wouldn’t wanna hear it all the time, but respect.
Okay this sounds really good, i dig it, i can listen to this while in a car or in a train, it also sounds like surrealistic pillow by jefferson airplane but I don't mind that and the fact that the two albums released on the same year is also pretty evident why they sound familiar with each other.
i like it
Complex, dynamic almost graphic instrumentally. Did not appreciate vocals except for a couple tracks like “Im Glad” The album tells a musical history, above my head 8/10, 4/5
different - even to itself it's wildly different within this album. and good fun 4
Weird 60’s bullshit, inject it in my veins. Wacky voices, inserted speaking lines, vague stabs in the direction of a cohesive genre, the gang is all here.
Can't believe this is actually good after listening to trout mask replica.
Very interesting listen, I've been meaning to listen to Captain Beefheart for a while. A great combination of electric blues and psych with a sound that is more conventional and straightforward, with less weirdness, than I was expecting, but at the same time eclectic and unique. Very cool, I think I'm a fan!
I had low expectations because i read this was supposed to be country so i was pleasantly surprised.
Great mix of American country rock vibe
4.0 - A decidedly more listenable record than "Trout Mast Replica", and less of a "statement piece." There's still whacky phrasings and dissonant guitar lines. If "TMA" is the sibling who goes out of their way to annoy you, "SAM" is your lovable but eccentric grandpa who sometimes gets lost in his own head.
ive been a mild fan for a while but the album has made me like them more. i appreciate that they do a little bit of everything and make it a little weird
That was a fun discovery. Really sets the base for what Cooder will later do in his career. 4 stars.
Embarrassed to admit that up until now, I thought Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa were the same person. I don't really like Zappa so I never listened to any of Beefheart's stuff. This was pretty good though, had a nice mix of blues and 60s psychedelia. Definitely too long.
This is the Captain at his best. None of the Trout Mask Replica intellectual nonsense. Actual songs, with melody and a great showcase for his vocal range and dexterity. The production/ sound of every instrument on this is raw and organic- always loved the odd drum patterns in Beefhearts music. Perfect mix of accessible and experimental. That said, some of the jams towards the end are a bit tedious but overall its magic!
Enjoyed this. Way more bluesy than I was expecting (the only other Captain Beefheart album I’ve briefly heard was a lot more ‘out there’ from memory). Lyrics are whacky, timing and composition is almost jazz at times, and it’s just very nice. Something almost comforting about it despite it bordering strange. Really liked the experimental parts to this too, managed to keep it interesting for the most. Already onto another listen so will definitely be back again. Highlights: dropout boogie, I’m glad, abba zaba.
Tries many things and does them well, without conforming to expectations or genre boundaries. Fun listen, if trippy at times.
The level of influence is immediately obvious - I definitely hear a lot of White Stripes in here, like on Yellow Brick Road. Zig Zag Wanderer is a massive banger.
Never heard of them before - interesting album. Pretty "jammy" at the end. Almost Doors-like.
Albums like this grow on you after a while. I like it better with each listen. All the songs are good listens there are a few standouts: I'm Glad, Yellow Brick Road, Plastic Factory 3.75/5
The production is so bad its good - like a Velvet Underground album. The tunes are bouncy and raw like ? and the Mysterians. There's a little Motown soul in here, too. It's weird but I like weird.
Brilliantly eclectic, underpinned by the Captain's vocals, which stop it veering from 'fun' into 'silly'.
Possibly my fav of his.
Utterly bonkers
Me levou para outra época. Gostei.
I kind of loved this
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.
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.
Pretty awesome blues/rock album that feels very 60s.
Bluesy and bizarre, shows how Captain Beefheart could have been the greatest rock and roll band ever but couldn't resist the lure of wild experiment.
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.
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.
When they made normal music
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.
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.
Quite a special record. Glad has been a stable on my playlists for a long time. 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.
Plus one for the variety. Beef heart, you do have a magic band.
I enjoyed the somewhat weird blues here.
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.
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.
Blues-inspired whimsey. Good.
Electricity was a stinky full diaper but I liked every thing else. Where There’s Woman is my favorite.
Fine blues
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.
Interesting, innovative album that still holds true to it's R&B roots
Great album, way ahead of its time. 4.5/5
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.
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.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: I’m glad, Yellow brick road
Oh they are a Doors cover band In the end a lot of fun, but not what I expected from their name.
psychodelic rorrrr
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.
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.
Froggy Blues, good stuff.
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.
ok
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.
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.
I'll be honest, I couldn't always tell what they were signing, but somehow liked it anyway.
Gold de baa gåå såå håårtt
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
Bra skiva! Svår att få lust att sätta på p.g.a. 70 min längd men så fort man börjar lyssna går tiden snabbt
I really enjoyed this, until the instrumentals. Those really dragged on personally. Saved tracks: Zig Zag Wanderer, Abba Zaba, Autumn's Child
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.
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.
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
Really good rockabilly album Love the voice in certain song
"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!
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
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.
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
i liked this a lot! have been recced beefheart before, i’m gonna listen to more now
Great album. Not one I play often, but always enjoy it when I do.
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
What can I say, Captain Beedheart it's an absolute legend
Some very cool stuff in here. Not something I would listen to regularly, but some very important ideas.
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.
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.
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…..
4.25
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.
This was nothing like their other album on this list, and that's a great thing. Best track: Safe As Milk - Take 5
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
Good album - mix of traditional and innovative.
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,
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.
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
A "comfortable listening" example of it's genre
I was there when Captain Beefheart started up his first band I told him, "Don't do it that way. You'll never make a dime."
Gotta be worth a few points for calling your magic band "Captain Beefheart." Not too sure about the music. This probably should be right up my alley but I didn't find it too inspiring. Goes on quite long for an album from 1967 at over an hour. Last song is "Korn Ring Finger", not sure if this is where Korn got their name?
A groovy, guitar-heavy compilation of vey interesting songs. In my head, this is what Alternative music must have sounded like in the 1960’s.
Uma banda bastante transgressora, não exatamente com esse álbum, mas o que veio a seguir, o trout mask replica. Esse aqui é um álbum de estreia, então foi um bom início, rock clássico, um pouco de folk, umas baladas, dando indícios para um seguimento mais original, elementos próprios característicos da banda que vieram a seguir. Jogaram seguro nesse aqui, e é um bom álbum de estreia
Um folk psicodélico bem legal. Álbum bem tocado e divertido. CVJ Aria.
Pretty average 60s rock album. Nothing great but nothing bad
6.5/10 - It’s unexpected and weird but in a unique and original way. Wouldn’t keep it in heavy rotation but nice in the scheme of 1001 albums.
Strange and fun, but time has really removed a lot of the relevance and oddity of this.
It took 718 days, but I finally hit my first Captain Beefheart album, and it was actually way less weird than I anticipated. I was expecting pure, unadulterated psychedelia, but it seamlessly blends in a few other genres instead. For example, "I'm Glad" sounds like it's straight out of Motown with its surprisingly sweet, soulful R&B structure. On the rock side of things, the heavy groove on "Dropout Boogie" is fantastic, and I'm pretty sure that riff at the very end is taken straight from "Then He Kissed Me." The unique instrumentation really keeps things interesting, especially with the use of the theremin and some incredibly gritty slide guitar work. The band's rhythm section lays down a remarkably tight blues-rock foundation, which helps ground his raspy, eccentric vocal delivery before things get too chaotic. I'm a huge fan of psychedelic rock, but I just don't know if it's one I'd actively go back to so I give it a 3.
Definitely a step ahead in sophistication from other mid sixties white blues
It's both really weird for a blues rock album and much more normal than I was expecting from a Captain Beefheart album after hearing Trout Mask Replica. It was an interesting listen and a few tracks were pretty fun but nothing really stood out enough to add to my playlist and I'm not sure if I'll return to this.
Usual Beefheart - The good, the bad & the downright weird
Love the guitar and bass; hate much of the vocals
i liked the last third
Hmm
better than the other one but still didnt impress me
I was dreading this due to the abysmal reputation on the Reddit Generator sub of their “Trout Mask Replica.” Perhaps inevitably with such low expectations, it exceeded them. I think this is quite creative for the psychedelic rock genre at the time. I really liked the 50’s throwback track. There are some world music elements that hint at Ry Cooder’s future - I wonder if he, at 20, contributed to those arrangements. In any case, his guitar playing is stellar. The lead singer has a pleasant voice at times, even though he usually leans too far into gruff and gutteral. The rest of the band is good at the blues- and psych-rock sounds that overall form the bulk of this record. It’s good if you like this sort of thing. It’s not really for me, though.
I hadn't really heard much Beefheart other than probably some of the stuff he did with Frank Zappa. Anyway, it's a little on the odd side, as can be expected from someone with such associations. But not so much as Zappa's stuff usually is. This is definitely more bluesy in general, and there are some seriously groovy tracks, Where There's Woman for example. Could be a 4 if it weren't for the overly experimental misfires, but leaning high 3.
Rock solid, no fuss, three. Good.
No me movio la cotorra
Weer een beetje saai, maar niet slecht
Not at all like Troutmask Replica and surprisingly accessible and coherent. I am still not sure whether that is a good thing.
I liked this well enough, 3 stars
Goblin music
whole thing felt sarcastic? but i liked it. or am i being sarcastic? what was in that 60s milk
Went into this with no hope, having suffered through Trout Mask Replica previously as my only intro to this band. Shockingly, I actually enjoyed most of this debut album. It has a distinctly southern bluesy, folk-rock sound. It opens strong and closes less so, but if the band stuck to this style and sound versus the eccentric nonsense that followed, I could’ve been a fan.
I remember John Peel talking about Beefheart but never got around to listening, so this was a cool opportunity. A bit too noodly in places here but I'd definitely give some of the other albums a go on the basis of this.
This artist deserves both 5 stars and 1 star at the same time. I'm not sure what they were trying to accomplish, but whatever it was they 100% accomplished it.
Overall Rating - 3.00/5 (6.00/10). Pretty standard late 60s rock and roll music. Occasionally weird, generally well written and performed.
it's average 60s rock n roll, what am i supposed to be saying about this
Neither here nor there on this one. Music was interesting and I think within the context of the time, very forward thinking and experimental. But I also felt that the experiments didn’t always yield easily likeable music so this is rated more for its influence on future bands and music than for it being distinctly great itself.
interesting enough i suppose, the iterations on a blues formula are fun, and some of the guitar work is quite good. the vocals are not doin it for me and the recording quality is a relic of a previous decade in a bad way
Interesting and eclectic, even if it doesn’t end up something perfectly satisfying, 1 listen Favorite Tracks: I’m Glad, Zig Zag Wanderer
Expectation: -> ??? After listening: -> Interesting group name, for starters. I feel that I can break this album into thirds. A third was really good, a third was decent, and a third was questionable. I would definitely consider coming back to a portion of this album. Shy of a 4 rating but a pleasant surprise. Track ranking: Zig Zag Glad Autumn Call Yellow Woman Abba Nuff Ugly Plastic Electricity Boogie
I didn't like it.
Never listened to Captain Beefheart before. I’d always heard he was pretty far out there. Some of this album is. But I found a lot of it to be interesting. Some very weird tracks I didn’t like that take it from a 4 to a 3 for me. Overall, a fun listen.
First track revealed just how late 60s this was with accepted mysogeny, young girl/woman bating. I like the blues sound, especially since my recent trip to New Orleans.
instrumentalmente muy bueno, muy 60s. guardé una canción :p
Kolejna z tych długich, zawiłych alternatywnych płyt, które trudno ocenić, bo w tym garze pływa wszystko. Niektóre utwory są niepokojąco pociągające, inne nużące. 6.5/10 równane w dół.
Really likeable. I wasn’t prepared to like it this much.
Reminds me of when I got together with my high school friends in the summer and we noodled around in the basement
He gets weirder and meaner but this is pretty damn good. Beefheart wants so badly to go off track but hasn't quite figured out how to do that which means that this album is particularly punchy in spots where other bands would want to make something pleasant. Not totally revolutionary or uber strange but definitely tilting in that direction.
not nearly as bad as I was expecting / hoping, pretty decent actually
Mediocre
I was nervous about this, having read about the reputation of Trout Mask Replica. This is actually not bad, in fact it is rather accessible, despite the muddy vocals. But I don’t think I’ll ever come back to it. Electricity is weird, but it’s still music, albeit experimental. Let’s say 3 stars.
First listen 2 second listen 3. Gravelly ass
Começou, olhei pra caixa de som esquerda e pensei "que isso, cara?". Nunca ouvi essa banda na vida, mas achei muito massa o som deles. Animado, voz estranha diferenciada uhauhuhaa. Começou bem, depois começou a ficar chato, repetitivo, podia ter acabado o álbum antes e ser melhor.
An odd one. Something about it made me not hate it
1967, l'année où le rock a décidé de se coller des paillettes sur le fion et de chanter la paix universelle en bouffant des buvards. Tout le monde plane à San Francisco, les Beatles jouent de la trompette en costume de carnaval, et les Doors se prennent pour des poètes maudits dans des pantalons en cuir trop serrés. Et puis, au milieu de ce grand déballage de bons sentiments sous perfusion de LSD, débarque un type qui ressemble à un vendeur de voitures d'occasion ayant fait une mauvaise chute dans le désert de Mojave. Don Van Vliet, alias Captain Beefheart, un nom qui sonne comme une marque de pâtée pour chien ou un super-héros raté. Pourtant, ce qui sort de ce premier album, *Safe As Milk*, c’est tout sauf de la came pour les gentils hippies qui veulent sauver les baleines. Dès les premières secondes, on comprend que le Capitaine ne vient pas pour nous faire des câlins. On parle d’un disque qui se veut "sûr comme du lait", mais c’est du lait caillé, oublié sur un radiateur en plein mois d’août. C’est un disque qui pue la poussière, la sueur et le blues poisseux du Delta, mais passé à la moulinette d’un cerveau qui fonctionne avec des circuits électriques complètement cramés. Ce qui saute aux oreilles, avant même les instruments, c’est cette voix car Van Vliet possède quatre octaves et demi de pure menace. On dirait un croisement entre Howlin' Wolf et un orage qui aurait décidé de prendre des cours de diction. Il grogne, il éructe, il vocifère des paroles qui oscillent entre le surréalisme de bazar et le génie pur. Le mec nous parle d'électricité, de routes en briques jaunes et de vagabonds en zigzag avec une conviction qui frise la démence. Rien que pour cette performance vocale, le disque mérite qu'on s'y arrête, même si on a envie de se boucher les oreilles de temps en temps. Mais le Capitaine n'est pas seul dans son délire car il a son "Magic Band". Et en 1967, le groupe est une machine de guerre, bien plus disciplinée qu’elle ne le sera plus tard quand Don décidera de devenir un dictateur domestique enfermant ses musiciens dans une baraque pour les forcer à manger du soja. Ici, on a encore de la structure et surtout, on a Ry Cooder. Le gamin n’a pas vingt ans, mais il joue de la slide guitar comme s'il avait vendu son âme à un carrefour en 1930. Sa guitare glisse, elle grince, elle apporte une ossature bluesy indispensable au chaos ambiant. C’est Cooder qui rend ce disque écoutable pour le commun des mortels et sans lui, le navire aurait probablement coulé avant de quitter le port de Los Angeles. L’album est un mélange foutraque. C’est du blues, mais déformé dans un miroir de fête foraine. C’est du rock garage, mais joué par des mecs qui ont oublié comment on fait un accord de sol majeur. C’est psychédélique, mais sans les fioritures chiantes et les solos de sitar qui durent quinze minutes. C’est court, c’est sec, et ça va droit au but. On est loin de la fluidité des groupes de l'époque. Ici, ça saccade, ça s'arrête brusquement, ça repart comme une vieille bagnole qui a des ratés. Et c’est précisément ce qui fait le charme de l’objet. Pourtant, malgré tout ce génie latent, je ne peux pas monter au-dessus de 3 sur 5. Pourquoi ? Parce que le titre n’est pas qu’une blague : c’est une réalité. L’album est encore trop "safe". On sent que Beefheart et son producteur de l'époque, Richard Perry, ont essayé de faire un disque qui pourrait passer à la radio entre deux tubes de Motown. Il y a des moments de pure pop, ou presque. "I'm Glad", par exemple. C’est une ballade soul. C’est joli, d’accord. Van Vliet montre qu’il sait chanter "normalement". Mais honnêtement, on s’en fout. On n’écoute pas Beefheart pour l’entendre jouer les crooners de kermesse. On l’écoute pour qu’il nous malmène le cerveau. Ce côté "cul entre deux chaises" est ce qui m'agace un peu sur la longueur. On passe d’un truc monstrueux comme "Electricity" – qui est un sommet absolu de rock abrasif avec son Theremin strident – à des morceaux beaucoup plus conventionnels, presque banals pour l'époque. On sent que le Capitaine n’a pas encore osé couper totalement le cordon avec le format chanson. Il essaie de plaire, il essaie de rentrer dans le moule, même s'il le fait exploser de l'intérieur par moments. C’est un disque de compromis, et dans mon monde, le compromis, c’est souvent le début de l’ennui. Alors oui, "Dropout Boogie" a un riff qui pourrait faire passer Mick Jagger pour un enfant de chœur et "Abba Zaba" joue avec des rythmes africains et des lignes de basse qui vous retournent l’estomac. Tout ça est techniquement brillant et historiquement majeur et on voit bien que sans ce disque, toute la scène post-punk des années 80 n’aurait jamais existé. Pas de Beefheart, pas de Pere Ubu, pas de Devo, pas de Public Image Ltd. C’est la pierre angulaire de tout ce qui est "bizarre" dans le rock. Mais être une influence ne suffit pas à faire un chef-d'œuvre absolu. Le son de l’album est aussi un peu daté et la production manque de couilles. C’est un peu plat, un peu étriqué et on aurait aimé que ça sature plus, que ce soit plus sale, plus organique. On sent la patte des studios de Los Angeles qui essaient de polir un diamant brut pour qu'il brille dans les vitrines. Mais Beefheart n'est pas un diamant, c'est un morceau de charbon radioactif. Plus on essaie de le nettoyer, plus on perd ce qui fait sa force. Au final, *Safe As Milk* reste une curiosité fascinante. C’est l’album où l’on découvre le potentiel destructeur de Don Van Vliet sans pour autant se prendre la déflagration totale en pleine gueule (ça, ça viendra plus tard, et ce sera beaucoup plus douloureux). C’est un disque qui se laisse écouter sans trop d’effort, ce qui est à la fois sa plus grande qualité et son plus grand défaut. C’est du blues-rock de haut vol, avec une pincée de folie, mais ça reste du rock. On n'est pas encore dans l'abstraction totale, dans la déconstruction systématique du rythme et de la mélodie. C’est le disque parfait pour frimer en soirée sans pour autant faire fuir tous vos invités après trois morceaux. C’est l’entrée de gamme du génie. Un apéritif corsé avant un plat de résistance qui s’avérera immangeable pour la plupart. J’aime ce disque pour ses éclairs, pour la guitare de Cooder, pour les grognements de Van Vliet, mais je ne peux pas m’empêcher de penser qu’ils auraient pu aller beaucoup plus loin s’ils n’avaient pas eu cette envie de décrocher un hit. C’est un 3/5, ferme et définitif. Un "bon" album, nécessaire pour comprendre la suite, mais qui manque de cette étincelle suicidaire qui fait les grands disques. On est dans la suggestion de la folie, pas encore dans l'immersion. Le Capitaine nous montre la porte de l'asile, mais il n'a pas encore jeté les clés par la fenêtre. On apprécie la visite guidée, on admire les murs capitonnés, mais on ressort de là en se disant que c'était presque trop poli. Un peu plus de fiel et un peu moins de lait, et on tenait le Graal. En l'état, c'est juste un excellent brouillon d'apocalypse.
Interesting rock music, very vintage, somehow I enjoyed the sound of the instrumental ones
Captain Bee Fart the weirdo you are x
Surprisingly good until it's surprisingly long
Bluesy goodness
This was alright
Prefer trout mask
Unique.
No. 393/1001 Sure 'Nuff'n'Yes, I Do 3/5 Zig Zag Wanderer 4/5 Call On Me 3/5 Dropout Boogie 2/5 I'm Glad 4/5 Electricity 2/5 Yellow Brick Road 3/5 Abba Zaba 3/5 Plastic Factory 2/5 Where There's Woman 3/5 Grown So Ugly 3/5 Autumn's Cild 3/5 Average: 2,92 Hard to pin this record. Some songs I enjoyed quite a bit. Others were really grating.
I can't trust these guys or milk. Like, at all.
Estuvo guay
Pretty unhinged but I think I like it
A unique twist to 60’s groove rock. This pushes the envelope on the genre, while still staying within bounds.
this was great at the beginning but by the middle I was ready for it to be over
I found this album so mixed. I found myself drifting away in Blues only to be suddenly woken by some harsh lyrics. Not sure I can cope with the inconsistency.
This was a cool album. It is really all over the place as far as genres.
Not as abrasive as Trout Mask Replica (still to come in the 1,001) and better than expected. Not sure if I’ve ever heard this before.
Good album - a little dated, but far more accessible than later albums (still don’t get Trout Mask Replica). Well worth a second listen for sure.
To be honest I hadn’t really listened to much, if any, Captain Beefheart before this. There were some good songs on here intermixed with a few real clunkers. I am not a fan of 60-70s experimental music in the style of psychedelic or “acid” anything really adjacent to that and some the songs on this album I could categorize as “that”. But there really were some nice blues or soul inspired songs that really resonated with me.
Weird 70s
Interesting album.
Pretty fun
3.5
It was pretty decent.
Experimenting a lot and having fun, way back.
Really quite enjoyed this one. Nice to have something a bit different and something I probably wouldn’t have seemed out outside of this list. Some interesting songs in here and the variety helped keep the attention.
A fun listen with plenty of eccentric and weird music going on.
Captain Beefheart's second album in this project. I was very skeptical, since I found *Trout Mask Replica* pretty confusing. In contrast, I was able to listen to this album. However, I won't be listening to it again anytime soon. I don't understand this music, and I don't like it. 3/5
TBC
Eccentric and quirky, but not really my thing
Pretty good blues record. I enjoyed the distorted guitars. Favourite Track(s): Electricity Least Favourite Track(s): Autumn's Child
60’s Rock ⭐️Electricity
Hate the name, music was okay
6.9
I’m glad I’m doing this project, because it has allowed me to be more studied about what I like versus what I respect. This album is Louisiana blues, 50s soul & R&B, 60s rock and just about everything else they could throw in works. There’s even a track that sounds like the roots of what will become punk. I respect it, but I don’t really like it. 3⭐️
Safe As Milk is a pretty weird and wacky album but it actually handles that pretty well. I can definitely admit that this is an album that absolutely belongs on this list as it seems to have influenced quite a bit of other artists with one notable one being Tom Waits who sited Captain Beefheart as a major influence. The album itself has this large psych-rock style on it much like a lot of it's other contemporaries with this one definitely being as weird as a lot of the others but not doing anything too differently from them. I guess one unique thing i will say about it is that little sample from the beginning of Yellow Brick Road which i thought was an ad at first. Definitely a good album but i can't justify giving it higher than 3 stars. Best Song: Sure Nuff 'N Yes I Do Worst Song: Zig Zag Wanderer
I have not listened to this in a long time. A mix of different rock types of the time, interesting on wilder songs but plenty standard. 3 Heard before? Yes Owned: Yes 52/222 (23%) Will I get: Already have
Enjoyed it! not something I'll be putting on anytime soon, but glad to have experienced the album.
1960s acid/blues rock, kinda. I don't know much about Captain Beefheart or the Magic Band, but the Captain and Frank Zappa were friends and frequent collaborators. Some of this album is pretty good, but overall, it was just OK. I can only imagine how different this must have sounded in 1967. Albums like this are why I do this list. I probably would have never listened to this otherwise.
This was pretty original and I’m sure “alternative” of the time. Probably at least +/- 1 after a couple relistens.
This was a rollercoaster. My feelings ranged from weirded out and delighted to bored almost from song to song.
Ok. Wierd one but I did like it most of the time. I felt that the second half of the album could've been left out as it just turned the wierdness to 11 and that didn't work for me. I did dig the grooves and the first half of the album so I give this a 2,5/5 (rounding up to 3).
This is a far more acceptable introduction to the Good Captain. I've always struggled with Trout Mask, going back decades now. I should really just give up on it. Safe As Milk is... safe. It's also very bluesy without all the out of tune wanderings. The bass is a bloody beast throughout. It feels as though it's anchored to the ground. I've still no idea what it's all about. I like some mystique in my music, just not the Trout Mask level of madness.
I'm ill, so I've not been able to finish this one. I've heard about Trout Mask Replica (haven't listened to it yet) and how out there it is, so I was expecting something experimental or something like that. This was more conventional Blues/Garage Rock that was pretty good and fun to listen to. I didn't think it was anything groundbreaking, and the length is a bit of an issue. A high 3
"Zig Zag Wanderer" is an absolute jam, and so is "I'm Glad". I thoroughly enjoyed this album and can see the influences and sounds from this era~
Who knew Captain Beefheart had it in him to make a somewhat normal album? Yes, the man responsible for one of the most legendary avant-garde albums in music history had relatively humble beginnings... relatively. Quite frankly, this album is still a little weird, but in a way that I'm sure is much more palatable for most listeners. Whereas Trout Mask Replica is utter insanity with a hint of bluesiness, Safe as Milk is more like blues rock with a hint of mild insanity. Does that make it better than Trout Mask Replica? Kinda, I think? Admittedly, Safe as Milk isn't nearly as interesting of an album, but interesting doesn't always mean good. I think Safe as Milk is probably a better album, but Trout Mask Replica is a better artistic statement, I guess. It's something like that. It helps that Safe as Milk is only about half as long as Trout Mask Replica, so it's not nearly as daunting of a listen. I need to stop comparing this thing to the other album and assess it on its own. Safe as Milk is a pretty decent blues rock album. It's got some solid musical moments, though it's not the flashiest album on the planet. Captain Beefheart's vocals are where the quirkiness of the album are most apparent. The writing is fairly abstract, I think. Everything is done fairly well, though I don't think anything is done spectacularly. It's good, but I think you can do better with other blues rock albums and even other experimental rock albums. Still, I do feel positively about it, even if I'm unsure of its must-listen status. 3/5.
the back half dragged on a bit too much for me. love the band name
ganz ok
My desk is set up very close to the old stereo equipment in my room. I end up being about 1 meter away from the nearest speaker so when I listen to something while I work, I really listen. This sounded great despite the damage I did to my ear. 3.5
I can see this influencing Tom Waits.
Ja det var väl bra. Lite långt men nice bakgrundsmusik. När Kent började spela jag bar ”oj vad bra låt” i början och sen oooops…. Mjölkpropaganda?
Hørt om dette bandet, men aldri gitt det et forsøk. Rock, typ blues. Fremstår rimelig eksperimentelt til å være fra 60-tallet. Hoppende rytmer med intense vokaler. Har litt vansker med å få ordentlig tak på dette albumet, til tross for totalt fire lytt. Ikke alle sangene som er superbra, men det generelle nivået holder til en solid treer. Det er utvilsomt et kult album. Top 3: Abba Zaba, Zig Zag Wanderer, Autumn’s Child
This feels simultaneously a lot more accessible than Beefheart's later work and much more experimental and boundary-pushing than other contemporary music (of 1967!!!). The psychadelica of the late 60s and early 70s got pretty dreary pretty quickly but this is authentically bonkers at times. I don't really like it that much, but I appreciate it. The stuff that sounds more conventional also sounds heavily sarcastic and mocking to me, which is fine, Beefheart is obviously not a big fan of the mainstream and neither am I. But this was a pleasant surprise after how much I hated Trout Mask Replica, although the more aggressively weird instumental tracks from Safe As Milk onward began to wear thin for me.
Some cool stuff, a bit too goofy for a 4. But close
I really enjoyed half the album; rated lower than the previous one.
I mean, it sounds like all the other random mid sixties rock albums.
Liked this much more than I was expecting. Ry Cooder's great.
Blues rock that doesn't take itself seriously, like Zappa and the Mothers of Invention (3.5)
A strange mix of country and hard rock. But I kind of liked it.
As I have yet to listen to Trout Mask Replica, I can't speak too much on my opinion of Captain Beefheart, except that I am extremely wary. This album was a pleasant surprise. Heavily bluesy and reflective of influence from mid-to-late-60s psychedelic rock. Interestingly, it kind of lacks uniqueness in that regard. So many of Beefheart's contemporaries sound a lot like this, ranging from CCR to The Doors to The Who to everyone in between. Whatever the case, it's fun, it's lighthearted, and I kind of dig it. The album's Wikipedia article says that "Beefheart later said the label dropped them after hearing the song 'Electricity' and declaring it 'too negative'." Which is an extremely strange remark. Electricity is one of the jauntiest tunes on the record, and the lyrics are pretty much nonsense. (Record labels are delusional.) In fact, a lot of lyrics on the record are nonsense, as demonstrated by the questionable Abba Zaba: "Babbette baboon abba zaba zoom / Two shadows at noon abba zaba zoom / Gonna zaba her soon / Babbette baboon abba zaba zoom". Call On Me is a standout, owing to its catchy melody, excellent basswork, and subtle use of horns that fades in and out as the music calls for it. Dropout Boogie sounds a little too much like You Really Got Me, and Mr Beefy won't distract me with the schmancy time signature changes. This song already existed in 1966 in a better form. But Autumn's Child is probably the worst track here, because it combines nonsensicla lyrics with similarly nonsensical musicianship. That weird buzzy/theremin instrument is just not necessary, and the lack of percussion for most of the song means there's nowhere to anchor yourself onto. 3/5 Key tracks: Sure 'Nuff 'n' Yes I Do, Call On Me, Yellow Brick Road
Delta blues and late 60's rock. Not bad but there are better examples of both on this list.
You see beef, you know it’s going to be weird
Enjoyed the first half of the album - got a bit bored re instrumental stuff towards the end
Very odd. Some of it was really fun and enjoyable to listen to. Others were okay & dragged on a bit.
I like this so much than later Captain Beefheart, but I can't say that I'm excited about playing this album again.
Some good, some bad, and definitely some ugly
I don’t really like country but this is very upbeat and makes me wanna dance!
Gear: ZMF Bokeh Closed Artwork: 🐟👁️📸 Production (Mono/Stereo Mix): 🔊🔇👎/🔊🔊🆗 Music: 🌀🌊💆 Rating: 🥛🥛🥛(🥛)/5
I liked it enough!
As a whole I think this is a good album. At first I just liked the bluesy feel but then it got more experimental and that was also pretty good. Not a new favorite or anything but I like what they did.
I went into this prepared for something terrible, because I really dont like trout mask replica by beef heart, but this was actually some nice pleasant music! they can do it!