Hot Rats

"a movie for your ears"

Very cool

Better than expected.

It’s 1969 and the Mothers of Invention are dead, having given birth to Frank Zappa’s solar eclipse of an ego without knowing what to do afterwards. Now, the virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, satirist and beloved anti-establishment figure spreads himself all over the close of the decade, mashing himself up into extended, bluesy, psychedelic-leaning jams. “Hot Rats” is perhaps Zappa’s most famous record, as much a brush with the mainstream as he’d ever be willing to admit. It’s also the only record of his I’d heard before this project, so I’m going in with some much-needed familiarity. First off, “Peaches en Regalia” is an absolute triumph: dense and diverse, memorable and accomplished. It brings all the talents of Zappa as a guitarist and an arranger into sharp focus with a structured, rigorous composition, cycling through distinct hooks with endless panache. Some are on flute, some on guitar, with a glorious saxophone break: it all works brilliantly. It’s become one of Zappa’s signature tunes, and deservedly so. The jazz number “Little Umbrellas” is of a similar length and equally disciplined, with a sleepy double-bass giving way to languid saxophone, organ and flute solos. The rest is nowhere near as structured or embellished, hanging on improvised jams with a smaller core group. While it begins to border on indulgent and shapeless by the end (“It Must Be a Camel” is a little superfluous) the performances are accomplished and expressive enough to allow Zappa and co. to pull through. Captain Beefheart’s vocal feature, at the start of “Willie the Pimp” before he seemingly gets bored and goes for a joint, gives a wonderful gruff flavour, and listen out for the ratchet playing early in the jam section to drive this one home. “The Gumbo Variations” has such a strong attack in its opening riff, with excellent saxophone, violin and guitar solos, and fluid bass work, that I can’t harbour too much animosity towards its length. “Hot Rats” was described by Zappa as “a movie for your ears”. While its lack of lyrics is a shame, at least this allows Zappa’s guitar work (arguably his greatest asset) to take front and centre alongside an ensemble of very talented musicians. Mercifully, no lyrics also means no dodgy misogynistic overtones like those which muddy the waters of his other work. What we’re left with is a group of great musicians playing to their hearts content, and it’s difficult to argue too much with that.

i don’t love Zappa’s stuff when he’s singing but this album is mostly instrumental so i liked it a lot!!

I've tried, but no.

Interessant, dass er sogar auf den Aufnahmen improvisiert und immer anders spielt. Macht auch keiner mehr

I mean, he can play guitar? Cool.

Hit and miss, some real talent in there and I admire the freedom and creativity

I like it. I've discovered a new genre I like apparently.

I should listen to more zappa - 4 stars

I've never listened to a Zappa album from start to finish. Let's see how I get on with Hot Rats.

perfekt att plugga till

Yes, it's groovy and one admires the unique vision and commitment to same. And yes in a more just world Zappa would've realized richer commercial rewards, but it's not hard to understand why he wasn't. This is sprawling and fun and certainly interesting (perhaps that's the dominant trait) but it's also sort of indulgent and abstract. And while vaguely jazzy (mostly in its free-forming), it's not jazz actually, so those of us who prefer jazz would not be fully compelled. "Gumbo Variations" is best of a pretty strong lot overall.

Wow never heard anything like it before

Best Song: The Gumbo Varieties. I like the mix of jazz with just plain weird. Worst Song: Willie The Pimp. It just sounds like a jazzier but worse Tom Waits. Overall: Not great, not terrible either, although there are few circumstances in which I can imagine myself listening to this again. Maybe while cleaning? I don't know... There's better jazz and weirder prog rock out there.

The instrumentals are really amazing here. I love the guitar work and the electric fiddle in "The Gumbo Variations" is sweet. Zappa's voice sounds kind of scary sometimes, but he really does not sing enough for it to take away from the album.

Despite knowing the name "Frank Zappa" and his reputation to shred, I've never intentionally listened to him. This sounds exactly as I imagined. I enjoyed the album and I respect the shredding, but if I am being completely honest with myself, I will likely not revisit this album again.

1/5 Ugh..... Uuuuuuuuuugh. Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! 🤕

Too much "widdle widdle widdle" for me and not enough lyrics. The musicianship itself wasn't awful so not a straight 1 but this was not my thing, had songs that went on too long and kinda irritated me at times. Meh.

I used to have this CD

Ágætis progg. Ekkert óþolandi á þessari plötu, sem er mögulega fráhrindandi fyrir Zappa-fólk.

nothing that great 12 minute songs meh

Not how I remember it!

Psykedelisk rock, god jam, fræk guitar

YEAAAAAA BOIIIIII I LOVE FRANK ZAPPA. This man is a walking-talking-blistering-blathering poet. And he knows it. And he OWNS it. I genuinely enjoyed this top to bottom, I'm not even trying to be silly and goofy, because those riffs and solos went so hard. I only wish there were more lyrics, because I know this man spits bars just as well as he strikes chords. 'Apostrophe(')' is proof, because 'Uncle Remus' and 'Stink-Foot' have absolutely ZERO business coexisting like that. This absolutely would be a 4, but I'm going to have to go down one because I know it would be that much better with lyrics. On a side note, everyone go listen to 'Billy the Mountain' right now if you are fiending for 20 minutes of pure bliss. That song basically encapsulates my freshman year: a beautiful disaster.

I think this album can be best explained with a lateral example in the art world. When we think of famous painters, Pablo Picasso comes to mind first for many of us. Picasso was renowned for his Cubist paintings, founding the style which had never been a concept before him. Picasso started his career in his teenage years doing realistic portraiture, and he was quite good. He clearly had a gift for art. As he aged, he continued to paint portraits, but they gradually became what many of us would deem “sloppier”. The brush strokes became longer, the colors were blended less, and the paintings were overall less realistic. More years passed, and her began to play with distinct color schemes, tending to show feelings of somberness with blue hues throughout many of his famous works. The focus was less on the figures he was painting, and more on the emotion he was conveying though the portrait. As he aged into his elder and twilight years, he had fully moved away from realism. Cubism was born, and they are what Picasso is known for most today. If you look at a famous Picasso painting, you may be tempted to say “I can do that”. And maybe you could replicate something like that. But you would never have come up with it on your own. It took years to master his craft, and once he mastered it he was able to experiment further. Once he mastered those experimental phases, the last thing there was to do was to pioneer a new movement. Frank Zappa is Pablo Picasso. His music is quite silly, it sounds like a mess at times, and many people would be tempted to say about some of the songs “I can do that”. But you can’t. Because Frank Zappa has mastered his craft, and having done so he embarked on an experimental phase. Unfortunately, that is where this album stops for me - the experimental phase. The movement came afterwards. God bless and rock on.

It's not my usual cup of tea at all, but I'll be damned if I say I didn't enjoy it, the long ass songs can drag and honestly, that's not bad. The skill on display goes crazy

an all time favorite of mine. The music is simply extraordinary.

My favorite Zappa album (tied with Apostrophe). We even get a Captain Beefheart appearance. 9.5/10

I really enjoyed this until I didn't. Small doses, I guess.

Liked it a lot more than I thought I would

Fun, weird, funky shit

Great jazz-rock, I played this album twice today.

SO THAT SONG WAS FRON THIS ALBUM

heat i love jazz

3-4

Never been a huge fan of other Zappa albums, but this jazz-fusion one was pretty damn good.

cool

Honestly, if I want to listen something without paying any attentions to lyrics, this is it. It's fun and rocks.

Liked the first half but got pretty tired.

I get it, but I kinda don't get it

- not really my jam. Fine. Just not for me. - FZ/HR was referenced in something I read and I cannot remember it and it’s driving me mental

Not my style

after the first few chords i was worried i was getting fast show jazz man 'nice!' stuff but luckily it went a different direction. i was really enjoying this funky ass shit until it went off on one at the end. well, Zappas gonna Zappa.

Ooooof I love rubbing hot rats on my bellend. It makes me feel powerful and sexy. My face is a little numb as I push a little bit of shit out if my hot bum bum. Jingle jangle.

Hot rats. Yes, please.

Favourite song: Peaches en Regalia

I appreciate it but isent quite my genre. The long bluesy songs isent my cup of tea

Pretty brilliant really. Nice stinky stonky music and no weird Zappa-risms/questionable lyrics.

Classic Zappa really. Some of it sounds great and some is a bit grating but overall fun to listen to. Probably more on the side of enjoyable and at least unpredictable if nothing else

- Only ever listened to Apostrophe before and it was years ago - Not a big fan of instrumental albums - Another one that I could imagine clicking for me at some point, but right now not for me - Fav songs: Willie the Pimp, It Must be a Camel

I wouldnt listen to it regularly but I liked this

Been thinking for years that Frank Zappa was a modern day rapper. Was surprised he wasn't, but not pleasantly.

Long instrumentals that don’t flat my boat. Second song is what I imagine Snellius has named his todger

The original nutcase. Interesting jazzy listen. Sot Peaches en Regalia Son of Mr Greens Genes The Gunbo Variations 3/5

So good

I'm on the fence about Frank Zappa. This album has lots of what I like and little of what I don't. The Gumbo Variations wander off a bit in places. 4.5

Love this Zappa album

This albums cool but I like it better when Frank’s singing cause I need bars

The prowess is so evident, it’s fun and funky but a bit ephemeral

Lots of boring guitar, only really functions as background music but isn't good at that

9/10

Weird, crazy, but very good. I found this album very enjoyable to listen to. Every song was great.

Instrumental jazz album with limited vocals. Zappa's a legend and a great musician, just not really a type of album that makes me want to listen over and over.

Très bien, mais inégal. J'aurais aimé qu'il chante.

A delicious rush

Really loving this one

некоторые прям захватили! надо расследовать Фрэнка Заппу и его 60+ альбомов

Incredible prog rock, very original and peculiar fusion of jazz and rock. Zappa is the genius

Very good

The very unappreciated Frank Zappa. I hardly heard any of his stuff growing up in the 70’s.

It's a rich brew

Just the right amount of psych.

Groovy but not particularly grabbing.

I like the violins. I always like Frank Zappa songs when they’re playing, but I’m never interested enough to listen to them after the first time. Maybe it’s too instrumental for me.

So this is Zappa? Huh. I guess I wasn’t expecting it to be so jazzy. There are moments on track 1, and the start of tracks 2 and 3, where the 'non-rock' instruments (violins, flutes etc) mesh just right and I really dig it. The rest of the time I found it veered too much towards either generic rock soloing or free form jazz, without finding an enjoyable balance. A quick Wikipedia tells me today would’ve been his birthday. Happy 82nd, Frank.

I tried to get into FZ in the past. None of his musical phases do it for me. I like jazz, I like rock, I like prog. I don't like Zappa. This is no different. The opener, Peaches is fine then it becomes so tiresome. An indulgent wankfest. Sorry. Its probably me. 2

Not this album

Ooooookej, den rösten var ju intressant…. De instrumentala låtarna är bättre, men ibland lite långa.

Funky!

I'm not an instrumentals guy, so it wasn't up to my speed.

There's no doubt that Frank Zappa is a brilliant musician. The beats he creates are all head bobbing and hip swaying etc. However, his vocals are all 'comedic' in their weirdness. It's not what I like. I'm wondering if there is an album produced by Frank Zappa, but not performed by him. Even still, the songs on this album are way too long.

absolutely fucks.

Too freaky for me I am afraid.

Não consegui perceber a conexão do rock com o jazz. Mesmo sabendo da qualidade e importância, não funciona para mim.

Now that's some jazz I can get into. Very experimental.

Hot Rats has been the only Zappa album I listen to straight through. I know it pretty well and I love it. I'm not a fan of Frank Zappa in his entirety, though. I love a lot of his songs throughout his catalogue, but it rubs me the wrong way when he pushes the 'weird' too much. This album is a showcase of Frank Zappa's musicianship, composition and production skills without ever bugging me. I concede Captain Beefhart (I really don't like his music), but even here he fits in, doesn't spoil the mood and Willie the Pimp is an incredible jam after that. I know it's a whole lot of jam on this album, but Frank Zappa knows how to carry it and that's what I come to him to hear. This got me in the mood to keep rolling, so I followed it up with Waka/Jawaka.

I've seen Zappa described as less rock and roll artist and guitarist and more composer. When listening to Hot Rats through this lens you gain an appreciation for Zappa. I was never a big fan by any means, but also never really understood his music until I started listening to more avant grade styles to see what the big deal was (Miles Davis, Mahavishnu, etc). 4.5/5.

No lyrics

4-

gah. nah. no. i don’t like. i like his name but that’s kind of it. i feel like it was just something i had to get done with. there was potential but it wasn’t put to use. i understand why people would like it though.

Frank Zappa released something like 412 albums during (and after) his life so the great thing if you like Zappa is that if someone doesn't like one of his albums, you can steer them in almost literally any other musical direction with another of his releases. Of course with some of them you might need to be mindful of the audience as some of the lyrical content gets a bit *questionable* let's say. Only leading with that because this one barely has any vocals/lyrics at all ("Willie the Pimp" - which incidentally is most definitely not Frank on vocals). If you're immediately turned off from/by instrumental albums this is still worth a spin or two - there's a rock/jazz feel to it that has just the right balance - it doesn't go off into too esoteric a space nor does it simplify to the point of boredom. I'd put myself in the "I like Zappa" category (emphasis on *like*, not love) and one of the things that might be impossible for me to extricate from my enjoyment of this album is that lack of vocals. I actually like Frank's voice and *some* of the vocalists that he had through the years but on too many of his albums the lyrics were often a 30 year old's idea of a dirty middle school song - completely distracting at best and downright stupid at worst. "The Gumbo Variations" is the one that is just too long. Venturing dangerously into "jam" territory which is like....get on with it already. In a vacuum though I'll just call this record "cool" - some memorable and catchy musical phrasing throughout. This is the Zappa album that can be mostly enjoyed by musicians, nerds, geeks, rockers, sportos, motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies, and dickheads alike. 7/10 4 stars.

listened to again still one of my favorite Zappa records

Funky Jazz not be so horrible tho

Very good zappa

A jazz rock masterpiece and easily in my top 5 by Frank the great.

Better than I expected. I'm not a fan of Zappa; I think this album being mostly instrumental helped. Some of the sax was a little too obnoxious but otherwise it was a decent listen.

nope

9/10

Soft 4

this shit makes sense to me

I liked _bits_ of this. But then there was some stuff that veered a little too far into the free form jazz that I just can't be doing with. For most of the journey though it was a decent enough wander.

Surprisingly enjoyable.

The first two tracks are absolutely incredible but I do feel the album peaks quite early. The rest is pretty good but nothing sticks out as much as those openers. Still a banger though

Strange confession on my part: I can't quite explain why, but I've never really listened to Frank Zappa. He kind of checks all the boxes for me in what I enjoy in music, so that's the strange part. Anyway, now I have. Thank you, 1001 Albums project! Although this album is a bit too on the late-60s psychedelic production style for my tastes, I absolutely and totally hear the incredible virtuosity and talent expressed in the art he's making. Wow. Okay, I'm in. More Zappa to come.

o bom de ter ouvido todos os albuns do zappa é que eu aprendi a apreciar qualquer album so pelo fator criatividade. solos, uso diferente dos instrumentos, mudanças de ritmo melodia e tom do subto nada. tudo isso me deixa impressionado. outro fator é que eu sei do que esse maldito é capaz de fazer numa guitarra, e aqui fica claro. o bom de ter ouvido todos os albuns do zappa é que eu aprendi a amar todos albuns dele que não são impossiveis de ouvir.

wild eclectic

Great debut record. Mixes genres (psychedelic rock, garage rock, doo-wop, r&b, etc.). Pretty accessible for a Captain Beefheart record, but is just enough “out there” to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The vocals were definitely the low point here LOL. But the instrumentals? Groovy and fun and here for a good time.

Love the jazzy rock sounds of this album, didn't need vocals

Much more accessible than the last Zappa I listened to. Enjoyed it quite a bit. Reminded me of riding round lost lake too, which is a bonus.

There's some rats

Easch song (or should I sa piece) has something that I like, but in the end a little too abstract in approach and execution for my tastes. 2.5 stars

I've been dabbling in Zappa lately so was excited to listen to this. Turns out not my favorite! Willie The Pimp is one I was already familiar w/ & is def my num one for the album. I despised The Gumbo Variations...minus 10 stars for that jam.

Devo avere più tempo… primo ascolto pesanti Mi dà un po’ sui nervi

Meh.

Jazzy

Psychedelic jam music. Early prog-rock. I like the fullness of the instruments; horns, guitars, synths.

un flash me encantó!! 8.5 / 10

It sounds classy, but it has your pants off in about five minutes... and last time you checked, you didn't need to sit in a fridge to ensure your rectal comfort. That's Willie the Pimp. Frank is getting weirder... somehow. But not weird enough yet. The music gets even better, so does the humour.

mahti albumi KUUSI KYMMENTÄ LUVULTA... yksi sana... musicianship.. NERO, JA EI PUHUTA ROOMAN RUHTINAASTA... täyttä häkää koko tuotoksen ajan laatu on katossa kiinni son of mr green genes on yli muiden.

This one was super dope, loved the zany feel

Love a good instrumental but was not prepared for the sheer amount of saxophone

Love the instruments used in peaches en regalia Chaotic but in a good way!

Groovy, weird, enjoyable Funky brass instruments

Incredible Album. Got that Zappa Flair from the get go.

Wasn't what I was expecting. Landed up enjoying it more than I thought. Put me into Bobby Brown Goes Down, which is now added to my favorites playlist Seems like an interesting bloke Classic name

Ovo je moj privi Zappa album. Mislim da si ga neću sama pustit ponovo ali je ovako bio jako ekscentričan i slusljiv.

ovo mi je najdraži njegov.

090126 15:57 3.5

Funky as hell. Love it!

8/10 legendary Frank Zappa, a lot of good and funky progressive music

Wild and inventive with some splendid passages.

Quite easy going, it'd make for good background music at times but that's about it.

Peñazo que no es para mí. Mira que me gustan Pink Floyd o los Doors que tenían sus momentos psicodelia, rock progresivo, pero a Frank Zappa nunca he terminado de cogerle la gracia.

No lyrics So much I don’t know

I don't know this album and just got one listen in. Liked what I heard and will definitely give it a few more goes.

Really cool album, Zappa can get a bit weird and experimental, but this one was a bit more "traditional" in a sense of rock albums of the day.

good

Jazz, blues, rock, solos interminables. Suena a liberación.

Perfect blend of groovy and weird. Will definitely listen again

Weird in the best way

Really cool instrumental album. Lots of guitar but also jazzy

Nothing grabbed me

Fire shit

So.. this sounds like I’m listening to an neverending jamsession. It’s making me very nervous.

<b>LOVED</b> this one!

Didn't realize that this is Zappa. Intricate and widely varied.

This album is kinda cool but I think I’m more a fan of Zappa’s other work. This is more jazz than expected and I did find myself skipping towards the end of The Gumbo Variations. Highlights: Peaches En Regalia

Riktigt bra, man hör zappas kompositör-talang.

Absolutely amazing find. Great instrumentals. Cosmic rock mixed with jazz.

Weird and wonderful

Nice and jazzy

All I hear are hippies dancing with abandon at Woodstock, melodies are non-existent. Some of the songs start out good and made me hopeful, but about 30 seconds in the musicians' drugs kicked in and all reasonable structure crumbled into a pile of sounds.

Zappa is an artist I just have never listened to. I dunno why. I should listen to him since everything about him is what I like, but yet I never have. I think this was a fantastic entry into his - very extensive - discography.

Decent background music so long as it stays away from the skit-style vocals, but not an LP I would consider essential listening by any means.

Some of those guitar pieces grab the listeners by the throats and commands a listen. Some of the stuff got a bit weird, but it’s all very entertaining

A fun listen

I've always thought of Frank Zappa as basically absurd/silly. Which is sometimes fun, like a weird candy, but not a main dish. This was not absurd. This was good. Still playful at times, but not silly. 3 (good)

Get Weird!

Like it a lot more than I expected. Would I put it on again? Unclear. 3/5

I need to start writing my reviews at night….. I remembered I liked it?

This album is technically marvelous and musically vibrant. Any given track features only a handful of performers, and yet each sound like a group the scale of an orchestra was involved. I really appreciate that the instrumentals were left to stand on their own.

Jazzy

I've listened to quite a lot of Zappa, but not this one particularly. Kinda weird to listen to an almost entirely instrumental Zappa album! The goofy lyrics are usually one of the main appeals... Fave track - gotta be "Peaches En Regalia" for that soundtracky my-life-just-became-a-weird-70s-tv-show vibe...

No other artist sounds quite like Frank Zappa. Combining jazz and psychedelic rock with how own bizarre sense of humor, Zappos’s first album after The Mothers of Invention is a fascinating window on his musical psyche.

My favorite Zappa album. I've always liked his humor (though it does get kind of nasty sometimes) but this album he shows his musical chops.

Good background noise

Begon best aardig, hoewel ik altijd dacht dat dit niks voor mij was. Uiteindelijk kwam daar dus ook wel weer op uit; Het duurde allemaal te lang en te veel 'moeilijk doen'. Jammer.

Dat was verrassend goed te hebben, maar helaas bijna volledig instrumentaal op wat geschreeuw na.

Hmmm ik kan mn aandacht nooit zo goed houden bij instrumentale muziek. En dit is heel veel instrumentale muziek. Zit best goed in elkaar en ook best leuke stukken maar in het geheel is het me toch allemaal wat te wazig.

Peaches & regalia ken ik als tune van de Snob2000 en vind ik best een leuk nummer. Verder vind ik Frank Zappa’s muziek nogal intensief. @gijs, mocht je de snob2000 niet kennen; je zult het fantastisch vinden.

I mean, it’s fine. It’s just not my thing. I get that it’s technically accomplished and it’s an interesting fusion of genres and influences. I just wouldn’t want to listen to it more than once.

the nuts

Un essentiel de Frank Zappa grâce à Peaches En Regalia.

Apart from the first song, ‘Peaches in Regalia’. The rest of the album is the embodiment of Hot Rats. In all senses of the word it shouldn’t exist.

Ambiance idéale pour se relaxer dans le sauna (chambre)

envie de jouer au solitaire en ligne

Great LP with some lovely meandering Jazz rock tunes. Love the "Gumbo Variations" and "It Must Be A Camel"

Started well, but the guitar solo's plus saxophone get boring fast

Great tunes. Total flash

Holy fuck, come let’s get lost in music. A fascinating and exhilarating listen

So Hot Rats has a big groove to it which goes down well, doesn't really drag all that much and is largely enjoyable. Doesn't scale great heights but it's definitely better than a lot of Zappa stuff by reputation anyway. Son Of Mr Green Genes a personal favourite on the way to 3/5.

I was not expecting to like this having read the description that 'because Hot Rats largely consists of instrumental jazz-influenced compositions with extensive soloing, the music sounds very different from earlier Zappa albums', but actually it's really quite good, isn't it? Suffers from the same issue as almost every instrumental album in that it goes on a little too long and gets repetitive in places, but the sound is great and it's a super background soundtrack to get some work done to. Loses it's way a little towards the end, but I think it gets a comfortable 3.

svolítið mikið rúnk en áhugavert. Verður leiðinlegt eftir því sem líður á. Skemmtilegt að deus hafi stolið bassa ú little umbrellas

Vitttuuuuu miten kova! 5/5 ainoot laulutkin taitaa olla Beefheartin eikä Zappan suusta

Ah monesti tämmöinen tiluttelu on vähän turn off mut tästä tunne välittyi hyvin. Meni ihan tanssiksi.

Kiinnostavahkoa jazziinkin menevää rockia

Still not a huge Zappa fan, but it was a good record

liked it a lot, had a very improvisation jazz sound.

Sometimes I think that I might respect the music of Zappa more than I like it. Some of his music is outstanding, while some of his work doesn't do much for me at all. This is something of a middle of the road album for me. The first 2 tracks are pretty great but then I start gradually losing interest. I'll be blunt, I like the humorous Zappa best. Give me Sheik Yerbouti any day. This is fine but it's not quite what I want from the man.

It's fine, not great.

Cool instrumental stuff. Frank Zappa is much more talented than I have him credit for

Songs with no direction. Pissing in the wind.

My first Zappa album and I absolutely loved this. One of the best jazz fusion albums Iv heard.

Highlights: cool instrumentals overall jazz fusion not from japan (wow!) -it must be a camel (why does it sound like it's from zelda from time to time?) -son of mr. green genes liked: it's ok, i enjoy instrumentals a lot, more jazzy than i expected from frank zappa

Oh, so it's just jazz? Way less obnoxious than I expected it to be

Amazingly as he has such an off-putting vibe, this is a good album.

When Hot Rats by Frank Zappa appeared as the recommendation I thought, "Oh boy, this is going to be a doozy." I know of Zappa, and have heard clips of various tracks. The only songs that I have heard all the way through are "Valley Girl" and "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow", neither of which have made me want to listen to more Zappa. I know that many people list Zappa as an influence or admire his unconventional approach to music, but I have not heard enough to appreciate that point of view. Hot Rats was a good surprise. I may have heard a portion of "Peaches en Regalia" before, and I liked listening to the full track. My two favorite tracks were "Son of Mr. Green Genes" and "Little Umbrellas". Even though "Little Umbrellas" was relatively short, those two favorites had an interesting progressive rock feel. Other tracks on the album (e.g. "The Gumbo Variations", "It Must Be a Camel"), didn't just have a prog-rock sound. More specifically, they reminded me of King Crimson during the 80s. I'm not an immediate fan of every part of the album. For example, there were these repetitive violon squawks in "The Gumbo Variations" that detracted a little from the listen. But after my first full listen to the album, I'm curious about a second listen to find out what else I might hear. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

nice, love frank! 100\5

Also not the biggest fun, but nice to have listened to.

Dense jazz fusion and a rock blues track. Has some great moments and love the groove on 'Little Umbrellas'. Nice to appreciate Zappa without having to ignore odd things said in silly voices. Not sure ever going to get repeat listens from me, but appreciated it.

Brilliant

Zappa gets such a bad press

This gets to 4 on the strength of Peaches en Regalia alone. The other stuff is fun and beautifully played, but once you’ve heard Peaches it’s a high bar.

Peaches En Regalia alone gets 5 stars...I'd go 3.5 and almost 4 on this album but I am not sure I would come back and listen again so holding in the 3 star range.

I mean, it's some good instrumentation, but it does feel incomplete to me without vocals. Guess I'm just too much of a pleb to get it.

Not what I was expecting, but post-Hendrix and maybe Miles jazz-rock instrumentals.

Beetje een gekkie op een gitaar. De muziek is vrolijk maar voor mij een iets te hoog pingel gehalte. **

I appreciate it, but I don't enjoy it.

Zany artist Frank Zappa mostly restrains himself into making this jazz rock classic. Favourites: "Peaches En Regalia", "Willie The Pimp", "Son Of Mr Green Genes"

This is Jazz/Prog-Rock. Not bad by any means, but not really my style. 3/5

Not my bag

Meni najdraži zappin album

I remember the first time I heard Frank Zappa. I was shocked at how cogent it was, given what you always hear about the guy. The instrumentation, songs and arrangements on this record are really elaborate and beautiful at times. I like those moments. But then, there are songs like "Willie the Pimp" and I'm fine never hearing those again. Zappa was a collaborator with Captain Beefheart. I think he might sing on this record too. I recognize his voice. I prefer Captain Beefhearts records.

I always dismissed Zappa as being unnecessarily weird, but I actually kinda dug this album. It was definitely weird, but also had a New Orleans bluesy/jazzy thing that was actually unique and interesting.

Unintelligible to me. My ears aren't sophisticated enough to decypher this as music - it's just a technically competent jazz noise.

Wow I'd never heard of Frank Zappa but this is super cool. I understand this is different to some of his other work. I love how there's so many video-game sounding sections in Peaches en Regalia. It's really nice focus music for while working. Super inventive and unusual. So many different themes in here and I want to do some more research about this guy and his music.

I don't know an awful lot of Frank Zappa but got into this and enjoyed reading about his life. A mad life he had! Lots of genres covered here: blues, jazz, classic rock but all a bit experimental. Loved it!

Wahoooo! This is mad, I love it. Willie the Pimp was wild. I've heard of Frank Zappa and kind of knew who/what he was but don't think I've ever delved, now I've delved and I am happy about that.

This is 40 plus minutes a jam session that gets a very obscure at points. I do not understand the allure to this album. The album is 6 songs long so that means most of the songs are way too long. No need to listen to the album.

05/23/2022 Kinda fun but also kinda boring and a little too weird.

4.5

Not a huge Zappa fan but this album is actually really good.

I want to like it more but it just didn’t hit right for me. There’s a lot of cool ideas in it, and I think it’s “objectively” a better album than I’m rating it as.

I’d give it a 3.5 if a could my feelings towards this album are better than neutral but only marginally so

not really sure how to rate this so i’m giving it a 3, but it’s an album i could see myself coming back to after i learn more about jazz

Hot shite

C'est intense, beaucoup de guitare mais la musique est bonne. Un peu etourdissant vers la fin. 3

Zappa is all but revered by friends whose musical opinions I take seriously. But I haven’t always found his music easy to get into. I liked this right from the start though, and thought the whole album was fantastic.

Not at all what I was expecting. Largely background music.

Rats could have been hotter.

lukewarm mice

I was previously completely unfamiliar with anything by Frank Zappa, and for the most part, jazz rock. I enjoyed this album. Personal high point was the use of a jazz violinist. I wasn't even aware they existed.

I go into this having listened to some of his work and struggled to enjoy it. I hope this experience will be different. Sounds like an interesting jam session, I am enjoying it more than I expected so far. I think the reason I like this album more so far is that it is mostly instrumental. I really liked the guitar solo on Son of Mr. Green Genes. Overall a fantastic album.

Perhaps the absolute best representation of the jazz fusion era of Frank's career. He was an enigma, a one of a kind talent. He could dabble in many genres and could produce stellar albums in those styles. This is one of them. From Peaches en Regalia onwards, Hot Rats is a relentless force that sounds as fresh now as it did in 1969. There are plenty of memorable moments throughout, peaking at The Gumbo Variations: twelve minutes of some of the finest playing Zappa ever did. Highly recommended. Favorites: Peaches en Regalia, Son of Willie the Pimp, The Gumbo Variations, It Must Be a Camel.

Guitarra de Zappa. Brutal. Vinilo.

Agradable. Instrumental rockjazz fusionprogressive rock

It's a really weird, mostly instrumental jazz/funk/prog-rock mash-up and I love it - that is I absolutely loved the first 4 tracks and wasn't that keen on tracks 5 and 6 which were a bit too dissonant for me. Easy five stars especially for the first 3 tracks but the last 2 bring the album down a bit.

LP

Just a blistering combination of jazz and rock. Sounds spontaneous yet controlled and methodical. The instrumentation is insane. Only one song on here I didn't particularly enjoy, luckily it's the shortest here ("Little Umbrellas"). Favorite tracks: "Willie the Pimp", "The Gumbo Variations"

Frank Zappa was an icon when I was young, but I didn't really know why. He was one of those celebrities who was famous for being famous. It was a big deal when "Valley Girl" came out when I was 14, but again it was probably the Valleyspeak it brought attention to and his daughter's name being Moon Unit that were more famous than the song itself. Somehow this rock-jazz fusion was not what I expected. But then although this is an acclaimed Zappa album, there is no "typical" Zappa album it seems. In any case, it certainly doesn't sound too "experimental" or "out there." I sometimes get very restless with the longer pieces, but I didn't with this album, so I give it credit.

I have never listened to a Frank Zappa album (that I recall), but I was anticipating more lyrics...and absurd ones at that...for some reason. So, this was an unexpected dominance of jazz fusion instrumentals. Fine enough!

Fun, mostly instrumental fusion of rock, jazz, blues, and funk, with appearances by Captain Beefheart and Jean-Luc Ponty(!). I would call it unexpected, but when I stop to think about it, I have no idea what to expect from Frank Zappa. At any rate, I quite enjoyed it.

I've heard Frank Zappa's name for most of my life. When this popped up, I realized that I had no idea what kind of music he made. I must have heard some of his music somewhere along the way but I had not idea what that might be. I put this on and fell instantly in love with "Peaches in Regalia." It's catchy as hell, the arrangements are full of surprises - I love it! Even though I didn't know what to expect this was totally unexpected! "Willie The Pimp" changes the tone quite a bit with gritty vocals and guitars and a very long and groovy jam. Really enjoyed this too. "Son Of Mr. Green Genes" I guess is not about the recurring Captain Kangaroo character... but I love it so much! It's groovy, jazzy, and so cool and unique. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a most groovy dribble to work! A lot of this music is what the nondescript instrumental rock-and-roll the kids on the Brady Bunch played was based upon, only orders of magnitude better. I have no idea why an album like this has existed for my entire life and I haven't run into it before. This is one of my favorite new musical discoveries - I'm definitely going to be checking out more from Frank Zappa!

There are moments when the stars align and the muses themselves come down to touch the lips and fingertips of artists they favor. This is one such album—or rather, the way “Willie the Pimp” and “The Gumbo Variations” go together. Willie is the only actual voice on this whole album, but “Gumbo” is him speaking in a different way—speaking with his feet as he walks his neighborhood, speaking with the back of his hand when he has to put his hos in line. I wish I hadn’t given my pimp costume to my friend. I had this amazing pimp costume I wore at Halloween. It was made of (fake) crushed velvet, lined with zebra-striped felt—and platform shoes to match. The ridiculous, wide-brimmed hat was lined in glittery gold ribbon. I’d wear it right now while listening to this album, the way Buscemi puts on lipstick and listens to “Telephone Line”.

Rockin', bluesy, jazzy. It's a really good overall rock'n roll album. Can't really say I like his voice, but still...

Wank

Peaches en Regalia and other instrumentals

1.5

I've listen this album 100s of times. It's arguably the first true Jazz rock album and is still a masterpiece. Peaces is a Zappa standard and excellent example of Jazz Fusion. Willie the Pimp with Sugarcane Harris's and Franks blistering solos laid the groundwork for Jazz Rock, just listen Mahavishnu Orchestra.

Zappa was the absolute man. Unironically one of the most talented musicians ever, but sadly underrated because.. uh.. I guess people don't want to listen to a guy singing about how he can take an hour on the tower of power as long as he gets a little golden shower. Those people are weak. This album is some proggy psychedelic jazz mix. "Peaches En Regalia" is a classic, "Son Of Mr. Green Genes" was probably my favorite of the three long songs on the album and "Little Umbrellas" is also really good. Not the biggest fan of "The Gumbo Variations", which goes completely into jazz hell territory. Overall a very solid album.

I have always appreciated Frank Zappa but when ever I listen to his work I always feel like I am missing something. It is like I am not privy to some kind of in joke and I would suddenly get it if I got told what the reference meant. Or like the comedy of Monty Python, I will just never get, no matter how many times it gets explained to me. Having said that, I still enjoy this album and consider him and the other talented musicians on this geniuses. It is just that I probably won't rush out and listen to Hot Rats again for a while.

I know of Zappa but I've never listened to an album before - I've heard a few songs of him with Steve Vai but that's it. Anyway... psychedelic jazz eh? It was surprisingly fun, at least for the first half. The first song was amazing. Sadly by about halfway it just seemed like extended freeform jams, and I lost interest. One song in particular went forever. Not bad overall, but I'd never listen to the entire thing again. But 3/5 for being a nice surprise at first.

Always been a fan of this record and Zappa’s jazz arrangements (even still have a CD single with Peaches En Regalia / Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up). Sometimes it seems so unlikely that the same guy who created Sheik Yerbouti and Joes Garage also created Peaches, Little Umbrellas, and It Must be a Camel.

Not sure what i just listened too.... Is this rock jazz? Not awful but not my thing.

Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it. Some great guitar work, but too jazzy for me. I want lyrics.

Zappa is an acquired taste, I enjoyed it

I always feel like I should like Frank Zappa, and then I always just think he's kinda okay when I listen to him. He's a skilled musician and composer, and he surrounds himself will great people, but I always feel like he's just a bit...much. 3/5

Probably the album i've listened to the most. Absolute banger. The one i always recommend to people who wanna check out Zappa but might be apprehensive due to all the yellow snow, tower of powers, and cum. The perfect way to ease them into the weirdness.

Zappa, like his rats, are a dish best served hot.

3.5/5

Frank Zappa mades a original and rich compositions. I never listenend to Zappa but I knew about him.

great album, I’m always in the mood for some jazz-rock - 10/10

This is the album to introduce people to Frank Zappa with. Especially when you're a rocker and a bit into jazz this is where you start before you dive into the man's immense back catalogue. If you're into instrumental solo's, whether guitar, clarinet, bass, violin, drums, this is the album for you. This album got it all and is likely one of the best Zappa has released.

Not my cup of tea. No doubt it's brilliant playing and turned lots of hippie kids into jazz fans, but not my cup of tea.

This album could be the soundtrack playing in the intro credits to a 1970s movie where the cops are chasing the badguys. Not a fan of the sound at all, and the saxophone could be dialed down a lot.

Considering I hated the Mothers of Invention, this was a huge surprise. Virtuistic, clever, groovy, complex.

Very jammy and cool album. 3.5 stars!

I love Zappa's imagination, but I'm not quite sold on the quality of the recording, the inconsistent use of the electric violins, or the wide-ranging song lengths.

I have never listened to Frank Zappa for more than maybe one song on a playlist playing at a restaurant or bar or something. Had no idea how much I would enjoy it. Very "far out" at times but also seemed very organized for entire 12 minute tracks. Loved it.

3.4 - solid and epic instrumental album, but my favorite track was probably the only one with vocals - Willie the Pimp

Awesome, had forgotten how good it was. Kids not so keen.

Frank was the shit. The most underrated musician I can think of. His music is borderline genius but it wasn't "radio worthy". I hope he doesn't end up as a footnote in 20th century music.

Bueno

Don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't a nearly full instrumental album, but then again, I really know nothing about Frank Zappa. This album has been described as a "movie for your ears," and I get the description after listening. Smooth jazz fusion that tells a fun and engaging story.

It's amazing, for a guitarist, how much saxophone is in this album. The first time I heard this album, it did not become one of my favorites. But still, it has some great songs. "Peaches" is probably one of his greatest works. Listening to that piece today I really tuned in to the drums and marveled at how well-constructed they were. "Son of Mr. Green Genes" I had heard as a live performance, with lyrics. Surprising that it was originally just an instrumental. I have the Hot Rats Session box set. I need to listen to that at some point. The album itself is important as it is listed as "Frank Zappa" and not "Frank Zappa and the Mothers". I tend to gravitate to his Grand Wazoo era and Waka / Jawaka. But as a Zappa fan, I should listen to this one more often. Great stuff here.

And I thought Neil Young was eclectic. This is what, rock meets jazz? I've listened to a couple Zappa albums before, but more straight ahead rock (from the 80's maybe?). The first track is pretty short so I didn't really notice the heavy jazz motif until I got past track 2; clear as I go back to it. Most of the album felt like jazz fusion with electric guitar and a rock feel. I was thinking that it sounded like some of the jazz albums on this list and then read that Shuggie Otis is featured on the album, so yep. The second track felt like quintessential prog rock and it was pretty damn cool. I would've liked even more of that but tracks 3 and 4 were still pretty cool. Track 5 was up there with track 2 - slick. On top of Zappa, Ian Underwood was pretty impressive on the sax (and other woodwinds).

I keep thinking I should get more into Zappa. Or at least give him more of a listen. But everything I hear seems to be music for music’s sake. And this album does little to change that perception for me. Everything seems overthought and overplayed and lacking much spontaneity. I feel this album tries to be too clever but fails. Even the wonderful Don Van Vliet vocals on Willie The Pimp (nine and a half minutes long? Really?!) can’t change my mind that this is indulgent and flabby throughout.

I wasn't looking forward to this. Zappa is one of those few artists where I just don't know where to start. I was surprised by the promising jazz intro on Peaches. It's actually quite a funky album for 1969. I lost a little interest during the guitar breaks. Gumbo at 12'54" is about 12 minutes too long.

Apart from his reputation as an extravagant, sometimes difficult rock artist with free-jazz and musique concrète proclivities, I didn't know the first thing about Frank Zappa. This record was a surprisingly pleasant listen. I've browsed through other Zappa album deemed important by certain critics and fans, and now I know that immediate pleasure is not the first thing that comes to my mind with these high-conceptual and/or tongue-in-cheek recordings. *Freak Out*, by the Mothers of Invention, is the only one of those records I found genuinely enjoyable on first listens. The rest is really, *really* for the fans, I think. Two things stand out in *Hot Rats*, though. As in *Freak Out*, the lush arrangements provided by horn and reed sections is a huge plus. But in *Hot Rats*, there's something that not even *Freak Out* can boast about, and it's the hard grooves. Some drums are in a funky mode that's particularly lively, almost krautrock in their intent. And when they don't, they swing in a slower yet as efficient fashion, hereby supporting jazzier cuts that are equally satisfying. I barely noticed all the tracks were all instrumental except one sung by Captain Beefheart. I was too much taken in the soundscapes. Obviously, I'm a rookie when it comes to Zappa, so I can't really judge this effort in a broader context. But I understand he's an acquired taste anyway, and you can't rush things with an artist as productive and unhinged as him. Let's just say that *Hot Rats* does sound like a promising entry point, at least, just like *Freak Out* was on a more classic-rock, partly parodic, mode. [Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 975 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 9 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 7 (including this one) Albums from the list I will *not* include in mine (as I think many others are more important): 8 Albums I might not be able to judge (some might end up on my final list but it's because I recognize how culturally important they are): 1]

Not my favourite Zappa but cool instrumental album.

I'd like to think that it's a novel album, but weren't all albums from the 60s populated with extremely long songs that made you feel your acid trip is even that much buzzier? In that respect, it's a good representative, I suppose. Go Frank!

Hot Rats starts off a bit more weird than it is interesting. Son of Mr. Green Genes finds a bit of a groove and the extended guitar or sax or whatever the instrument of the minute is, tends to be fine. Overall, more of an experiment than something to listen to repeatedly.

This is one that I have on vinyl, an original press that belonged to my dad ❤ I obviously had to bust it out for this. I don't have a great deal of experience with Zappa, outside of this album, but I do really dig this. It's a great listen top to bottom and that fuses jazz with prog rock at the time. Great stuff

Weird and cool.

Shocking, considering how insufferable I found "Freak Out!", that I would be so taken by this album. Zappa works a lot better without words for me.

A master piece.

Very odd - been in my life for 50 years because my muso dad was on the good drugs. Never listened. Might not listen again.

Solid

I found myself enjoying the first two tracks but the second side quickly descended into unpleasant chaos. Sounded like someone had picked up a saxophone for the very first time.

Brilliant fusion of jazz and rock. One of Zappa's very best

There is no way of dieing without listening this.

Frank Zappa is weird! But he pulls together some pretty great jazz rock that really pushed the genre. A lot on instrumental craziness that ultimately the reason why this album is on here. Fully worth the price of admission.

I'd heard of the name Frank Zappa, but never any of his songs. It was an interesting - mostly instrumental - ride that has some great guitar solos with a pop of sax and surprisingly organs. Wouldn't mind some of these popping up on a playlist randomly. Best: Peaches En Regalia Worst: Willie The Pimp

objektiv gut, subjektiv null meins

Finally, a good album. It's been almost two weeks since this thing has generated anything that's cracked a 4. It isn't Zappa's best, but at least there's some representation on this infernal list. Why is this the only Zappa album on here? Boring-ass REM and U2 have four albums apiece on this thing, and they couldn't spare a second slot for a guy whose discography is over twice the size of both of those mundane bands combined?

Merkilega áheyrilegt, svona fyrir zappa :)

Ein ungewaschener Nixon Albtraum jammt sich ausm Rattenloch wie ein Entertainer auf Dope. Ziemlich gniedelig und gut. 3.4