Hot Rats

Day 22 - June 23, 2024 I am now 20, and holy cow, what a wild album to celebrate to. It's quirky and odd in the most charming way possible. If I have to tell someone what my brain sounds like, it's Hot Rats. 5/5

hot rats

Dude, It's Hot Rats...

5-

This album is wicked fun.

yesssss i love this hahaha I slap you on the chest as I drop dead on the couch like a boulder breaking through a trampoline

Hot Rats was my first introduction to Frank Zappa, and it was a good one! This is such a fun album. It's like upbeat, psychedelic jazz. The vocals on Willie the Pimp were a little offputting, but the instrumentals more than made up for that. Best Songs: Peaches En Regalia, Son Of Mr. Green Genes, The Gumbo Variations Worst Songs: NA

I’m not always the biggest Zappa fan, because I can usually do without the stand-up comedy, but this one is nothing but the hottest, tastiest jams, with deeply interesting horn arrangements. I can respect why more of his work isn’t like this…but I wish it were.

I love the energy, and I love this kind of all-over-the-place sound, going in all directions at once, with instruments and sounds colliding to create music out of this seemingly random chaos.

One of my all time faves

Some of Zappa’s most palatable work for the masses. Peaches En Regalia is surely the theme song that plays in a lot of peoples’ heads as one of the main scores of their life; I know it does for me.

Day 12 of listening to 1001 albums, on day at a time. Frank Zappa proves himself to be an absolute artistic legend with this. It’s pretty rare to see just instrumental albums nowadays and so it’s nice to sit down with one. This is not only a great guitar album but just an amazing instrumental album itself.

Super je ne connaissais pas

An album that could just keep going. Fun and catchy tracks, I’m used to Zappa tracks with more vocals but this proves they are generally not needed.

### "Hot Rats" by Frank Zappa: An In-Depth Review Released in 1969, "Hot Rats" is the second solo album by Frank Zappa, and it stands as a significant departure from the work he did with The Mothers of Invention. This album is primarily instrumental and is noted for its pioneering fusion of rock and jazz. Here's a detailed exploration of the album focusing on its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, followed by an assessment of its pros and cons. #### Lyrics "Hot Rats" is largely instrumental, which means that the album's impact isn't driven by lyrics in the traditional sense. However, the one track that features vocals, "Willie the Pimp," provides a glimpse into Zappa's lyrical style on this album. Captain Beefheart’s growling delivery of the lyrics complements the gritty and raw feel of the track. The lyrics are minimalistic and evocative, painting a vivid picture of a seedy, underground world: ``` I'm a little pimp with my hair gassed back Pair of khaki pants with my shoes shined black Got a little lady walk that street Tellin' all the boys that she can't be beat ``` These lyrics, while simple, encapsulate the raw and unfiltered aesthetic that Zappa often embraced, fitting seamlessly into the bluesy rock foundation of the track. #### Music The music on "Hot Rats" is where the album truly shines. It is a rich tapestry of genres, primarily blending rock and jazz but also touching on blues and classical influences. Each track is a testament to Zappa's musical ingenuity and his ability to craft intricate, yet accessible compositions. 1. **"Peaches en Regalia"**: The opening track is one of Zappa’s most famous compositions. It features complex time signatures, a plethora of instruments (including electric violin, flute, and vibraphone), and a melody that is both memorable and sophisticated. The track is a masterclass in arrangement and showcases Zappa's skill in orchestrating rock music with a jazz sensibility. 2. **"Willie the Pimp"**: This track stands out with its bluesy rock foundation, highlighted by a searing violin solo by Don "Sugarcane" Harris and a dynamic guitar solo by Zappa. The interplay between the instruments creates a raw and energetic feel, making it a highlight of the album. 3. **"Son of Mr. Green Genes"**: This piece is an extended instrumental reworking of "Mr. Green Genes" from The Mothers of Invention's "Uncle Meat" album. It features intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts in tempo and mood, blending rock, jazz, and a touch of classical influence. 4. **"Little Umbrellas"**: A more laid-back track, it showcases Zappa’s ability to create mood and atmosphere through subtle instrumentation and nuanced arrangements. The track is less frenetic than others, offering a moment of introspective calm. 5. **"The Gumbo Variations"**: This is perhaps the most overtly jazz-influenced track on the album. It features extended solos, particularly from Ian Underwood on saxophone and Zappa on guitar. The track is a tour de force of improvisation and dynamic interplay among the musicians. 6. **"It Must Be a Camel"**: Closing the album, this track is characterized by its unusual time signatures and intricate melodies. The interplay between the instruments is tight, and the composition is complex, highlighting Zappa's avant-garde approach to music. #### Production The production of "Hot Rats" is a significant aspect of its success. Zappa employed 16-track recording technology, which was cutting-edge at the time. This allowed for greater flexibility in layering sounds and achieving a clarity that was remarkable for the era. - **Engineering**: Zappa's meticulous approach to recording is evident throughout the album. The clarity of each instrument is superb, and the separation between sounds allows each element to shine without becoming muddled. This precision in engineering was rare in rock music at the time and set a new standard for production quality. - **Innovative Techniques**: Zappa's use of overdubbing and tape manipulation added layers of complexity to the music. The precise editing and innovative use of technology contributed to the album's distinctive sound, which remains fresh and engaging even decades after its release. #### Themes While "Hot Rats" is predominantly instrumental, certain themes can be discerned through its musical compositions and the one vocal track: 1. **Musical Exploration and Fusion**: The album's blending of rock and jazz elements showcases Zappa's desire to push the boundaries of genre and create something that transcends traditional categorizations. This theme of exploration is central to the album and reflects Zappa's broader artistic vision. 2. **Technical Mastery and Virtuosity**: Throughout the album, there is a clear emphasis on technical proficiency and musical complexity. The extended solos, intricate arrangements, and sophisticated compositions highlight Zappa's dedication to musical excellence and his ability to assemble and direct a group of highly skilled musicians. 3. **Whimsy and Humor**: Even in its instrumental tracks, "Hot Rats" retains a sense of playfulness and whimsy that is characteristic of Zappa's work. The quirky titles and unpredictable shifts in musical style contribute to this theme, making the album both intellectually stimulating and entertaining. #### Influence "Hot Rats" has had a lasting impact on both the rock and jazz worlds. Its innovative fusion of genres paved the way for future artists to explore similar territory, and its high production standards influenced countless recordings that followed. 1. **Pioneering Fusion**: The album is often cited as a precursor to the jazz fusion movement of the 1970s, influencing artists like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. Its successful integration of rock energy with jazz complexity demonstrated the potential for cross-genre experimentation. 2. **Guitar Innovation**: Zappa's guitar work on "Hot Rats" is highly influential, showcasing his unique approach to the instrument. His solos on tracks like "Willie the Pimp" and "The Gumbo Variations" have inspired countless guitarists, both within and outside the realms of rock and jazz. 3. **Production Techniques**: The album's production set new standards for clarity and complexity in rock music. Zappa’s meticulous approach to recording and mixing influenced many producers and engineers, contributing to the evolution of studio practices in the 1970s and beyond. #### Pros and Cons **Pros:** 1. **Musical Innovation**: "Hot Rats" is a groundbreaking album that seamlessly blends rock and jazz, setting a new standard for genre fusion. 2. **Technical Mastery**: The album features exceptional musicianship and complex compositions, showcasing Zappa’s talent and vision. 3. **Production Quality**: The use of 16-track recording and meticulous production techniques result in a clear, dynamic sound that was ahead of its time. 4. **Influence**: The album’s impact on both rock and jazz is profound, influencing a wide range of artists and contributing to the development of jazz fusion. **Cons:** 1. **Accessibility**: The complexity and primarily instrumental nature of the album might be challenging for listeners who prefer more straightforward rock or pop music. 2. **Cohesiveness**: The eclectic mix of styles and the absence of traditional song structures can make the album feel disjointed to some listeners. 3. **Vocals**: With only one track featuring vocals, those who appreciate Zappa’s often witty and provocative lyrics might find the album lacking in that regard. ### Conclusion "Hot Rats" is a seminal work in Frank Zappa's discography and a landmark album in the fusion of rock and jazz. Its musical innovation, technical mastery, and high production quality make it a standout album that has influenced numerous artists and continues to be celebrated by music enthusiasts. While its complexity and instrumental focus may not appeal to everyone, its impact on music history is undeniable. The album remains a testament to Zappa’s genius and his relentless pursuit of artistic excellence.

Yes - one of the reasons I got into music and this album does not disappoint :) rattled through it twice :)

Great.

Hell yes , nothing needs to be said about this album. It's just brilliant.

RIP FZ. Great album, especially Peaches En Regalia

I'm a huge Zappa fan. 5/5 Love it.

Peaches. Willir the Pimp.

Thoughts before listening: Zappa is one of those artists that I want to like because I'm told I should like him, and I have tried over and over again...and I find him very polarizing. There are some absolute gems in his catalog but there is also a lot that is unlistenable. Hot Rats falls in the first category. I love this album. Excited to listen this morning. Review: This album starts out with the great "Peaches en Regalia" which was a song I knew from Phish's cover long before I listened to Frank Zappa. This is followed immediately by "Willie the Pimp", and these represent my favorite songs on the album. I also enjoy "The Gumbo Variations" which even at 12 minutes long never gets boring and keeps great energy throughout. Overall a fun to listen to jazz-rock album that is getting 5-stars.

Strangely compelling and brilliant

I always thought of Frank Zappa is a musically talented shitposter but I never really internalized the talented part until now. This was a wonderful instrumental album that combined so many differed genres throughout each song. Some jazz, some big band, some soul, some funk it really was impressive and sounded great high.

Hot dog! 661albums in and I finally get two 5's in a row! I know I'm pushing my luck, but let's go for 3 generator! You can do it!! Here we go!

This is one of my favorite jazz-rock fusion recordings. I have always loved Frank Zappa's music and this is one of my favorites. Frank's guitar prowess has been underestimated and his ability shines through on this record. I also love the "Willie the Pimp" with Captain Beefheart's gravelly vocals. I was disappointed back in 2020 because I had tickets to see Zappa-plays-Zappa on the Hot Rats Tour which was performing this album for its 50th anniversary. The concert was canceled due to COVID. I hope Dweezil will be out to perform this album on his next tour.

Amazing all the way through. Not a single miss, love it. Production and instrumentation unique incredible, especially for 1969. Favorite track: every track.

WOAH. I had heard of Frank Zappa, but I did not expect an album that answers the question of “What would happen if Led Zeppelin broke into the jazz scene?” Each song stood on its own and brought a new dynamic that highlight jazz and blues roots, while showing the similarities of these genres.

This is really good. The songs are intricate, unpredictable at times, and memorable. It is carried by the first side, and ‘The Gumbo Variations’ runs a bit long, but it’s still very good.

hahahaha i love this goofy shit it's so funny but also vibes 5/5

Progressive jazz fusion for music connoisseurs. Really fantastic body of work with great melodies and drumming technique combined with quacky song premises. Surely this album isn't for everyone. But its totally worth a listen and I study. Zappa is respected for a reason. I must note, I like the experimental Zappa more than the Mothers of Invention and later rock opera stuff. But its a testament he can do so much.

This is one of those albums you listen to and go huh pretty cool, then as soon as you see the year it came out you immediately think what the fuck how

Yesssss hell yea! really really loved it. Surprisingly accessible compared to the Mothers of Invention album that came up earlier

Best Zappa. I'm a little pimp.

Absolutely fantastic. The only issue is that I have never heard this before.

Jazz standard, blues/psychedelic rock, 15 minute long jams. Everything about this album is great, it feels very advanced for when it was released.

Album 357 of 1001 Frank Zappa - Hot Rats Rating : 5 / 5 Frank Zappa is a longtime favorite and there are a couple of his albums (Joe's Garage & You are What you Is) which have been by my side for many years. Not being as familiar with this one, I had my doubts that it could hold up. Hold up, it does. There were a couple of tracks I was already familiar with and even on my 'Liked Songs' list. Just an awesome listen. Some great musicianship sans some of the goofiness that many seem to have issues with when it comes to Zappa. This is one to keep close.

When I was a high schooler. Frank Zappa was what the "cool" kids listened to. Not the popular kids, but the kids that I personally thought were cool. Usually these were grungy rock nerds who got into psychedelics way ahead of the developmental curve. Nearly two decades later, I get it. This shit rules. Put this on repeat and vibe. 9 out of 10, and I'm only hedging the 1 point because there are over 900 albums to go.

This is awesomeness. 1969? Incredible.

Wait a minute, this guy rocks!!

It’s Zappa. This one deserves a five from a production stand point alone. Headphones required.

Best Jazz-fusion album i've heard! Outstanding 10/10

Already listened. Fantastic Zappa collection

Top , Saxophon

This album is all over the place and I kind of love that. It would be less enjoyable if the instrumentation wasn't so hot. I especially love all of the guitar-focused songs.

Amazing stuff, I always got the impression that Frank would be one of the most irritating people on earth to talk with but damn he makes some nice tunes

Holy shit, I gotta listen to more Frank Zappa

I did not love The Mothers of Invention album that showed up a couple weeks ago, so my Zappa impression was pretty low. But wow, this album was unbelievable. It's so creative and varied and is technically crazy. I loved this. Peaches En Regalia and Son of Mr. Green Genes were my favorites.

A classic masterpiece.

Outstanding

Genius level guitar and lyrics.

So very ahead of its time and informative of (not limited to) the fusion era to come, from the classical-tinged juggernaut Peaches En Regalia to the more tight jazz club groove of Little Umbrellas. Zappa was going further into rock, blues, and psych than most “composers” at the time and he would for many, many years to come. But it’s also that most rock outfits weren’t leaning into nearly as much composition at the time. The soundscape is loaded (but not crammed) with instruments of all kinds whose players are all playing their hearts out and asses off. Hot Rats is simply a really excellent album that works as both passive or active listening. It sounds like a Broadway musical from the year 3,000. 9/10

Frank Zappa has been a blind spot for me, I've just never listened to anything he's done really. This was a great intro, I really enjoyed it.

Very surprising

Fantastic album

Love it. Zappa is underrated in so many ways.

I've never felt like Zappa really clicked for me but this album kinda did it. I'm not sure the 12 minute track fully earns it's length but other then that I found a lot of this really easy to track especially considering how experimental it is. Those saxophone (I think) licks in the first track are absolutely wild. I also love those synth runs at around 2:15 of the 3rd track that seems to switch between being played live and sequenced. Such a cool effect!

I think this is the first time I have knowingly listened to any music by Zappa. Whatever I expected this wasn’t it. Enjoyed the musicianship and the mix of carefully arranged and improvised parts.

Wow! Great mix of improvisation and catchy hooks. I've been meaning to get into Zappa for a long time. I just might do that. 1st listen 4.5/5

5/5

It’s almost completely lacking of the Zappa trademark humor, but everything is composed and produced to perfection. There’s a reason Hot Rats is often regarded as a highlight in his vast discography.

This is a fantastic album that really highlights Zappa’s composing and guitar playing genius.

- Knew absolutely nothing about this beyond Frank Zappa's name. Wow...had me almost immediately and did not let go. - Personally found Son Of Mr. Green Genes to be a true banger, but I could see almost all of this pumping me up. - Interesting, energetic, and often deep.

Utter genius, Zappa knows how to bring life to music.

yeah this is extremely my shit. i don't know what it is, but zappa's music just really scratches an itch in my brain. it's complex, yet clearly doesn't take itself seriously. just some really cool stuff here - i especially love the first track, but the standout to me on this listen was the track with captain beefheart singing. just really cool, fun stuff.

The Best album of Zappa!

Zappa's (and even with his minimal contribution, Captain Beefheart's) best album.

Classic. Excellent. One of the most perfect albums ever recorded.

Foda-se vou meter um 5. doidera demais

This is pretty much just jazz, which is awesome! It’s a quirky style, but I could see it holding up today with some different production.

One my top 5 Zappa albums.

One the easiest 5 star ratings. I've listened to Hot Rats so many times and one of my favourite Zappa albums. It's very different from other works by Frank Zappa as it's less weird in lack for better words. It's the perfect album to slap on some headphones, lean back and prepare for the ride.

The New York Ray Barretto

Pure unbridled creativity and a healthy dose of virtuosity. Not a single dull moment. This album might be the most constantly fun and boppin one on the list

Weird and wonderful. Peaches En Regalia is beautiful. Willie the Pimp has the only lyrics on the album - and they're strange - before Zappa starts shredding. It's complicated music, but there melody everywhere as the guitars weave in and out of the other instruments. Some of the best stuff doesn't even have guitar, eg: Little Umbrellas. In the first part of The Gumbo Variations, sax and bass are just as happy to take the lead. Instant classic.

Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is THE BEST. Frank fucking Zappa

Delicious album. Very difficult to put in a genre box, but luckily we don’t need to. It’s entertaining and crowded with sounds-in the good way. We have a word in Argentina for jamming-it’s “zapar”. What a lovely coincidence.

Very good album

Classic Zappa music salad, tossed to perfection! Love it!

Fabulous! There was only one Zappa!

Avant garde jazz

All I really knew by Frank Zappa was the song valley girl. This was a great instrumental album

Perfect

zappa zaps again with all the noodling on this one

Exhibit A for why objectivity is a fleeting perfectionist parade. If I’m ethnographically inclined, I watch from the bushes to not disturb the natural environment. Is that ever possible if you have a record on every available format withhold 8 track? It’s the coke bottle from the sky of revelation and modernity. Classic no matter the season. It hits heavy from beginning to end and is produced in almost perfect balance.

1st listen: The drums! Rock and Roll. Interesting voice... Not many vocals, thank god cuz his voice. 2nd listen: Drums and guitar are heavenly. Jazzy + orchestral + rock. Vocals, tongue in cheek. Light and funny song names. Remind me of Minus the Bear. Masturbatory guitar solos that get tiring after a while. 3rd listen: Plays front to back seamlessly like a well curated playlist. Voice is actually appreciated in the middle of all instruments. Jazz and rock. Played a 4th time :) Favorite songs. Peaches in regalia, Son of Mr. Green Genes, Little Umbrellas

This is such an incredible album and so significant in the history of music in the 20th Century. Zappa is a genius and this is him at the genesis of fusion, multi-track recording and is probably his most accessible. Hard to believe he released this and crafted Trout Mask Replica in the same year! Every second of every track is pure wonder and I never tire of hearing it.

What a brilliant album. I'd never listened to any Zappa before, but I definitely will be now. Absolutely amazing from the first note.

This album left me with a lot of questions. This is 1968? Why was this so good? Why are three of the four songs more than eight and a half minutes? How many instruments does he know how to play?

this shows zappa's composer side instead of the usual crazy guitarist side everyone is used to. and boy what a composer. this album gets to sound funny even when it doesnt have lyrics, the instruments itself are saying absurd nonsense and always telling jokes to one another. like on the end of the 3rd song where theres at least 5 differents endings to the track and it keeps going off. everything is so well arranged and written even when it doesnt sound like it. it has a great mix of both beautiful and trash sounding melodies, and they transition into one another seemlessly. i dont know if its my favorite zappa album, but its definetely waaaaay up there.

I was wondering when Frank Zappa would make an appearance on the list. Good choice, there's a lot of great albums to choose from.

I love zappa

Totally not what I expected. This is a super Jazzy album with some Funk laced in there. Was Funk a thing in 1969? This one's going in my favorites.

A treat for the ears, so much going on, the kind of album to listen to with a drink after a hard day.

This is great, purchased on first listen. Ian Underwood's playing in particular is fantastic. Only criticism, Peaches En Regalia could have been 12 minutes longer. Wish I knew enough about Zappa to pick where to go next..

Really fun album that was everything I'd expect from Frank Zappa. It's a short album with a few long sweet tracks filled with awesome solos and plenty of jazz influence. Check it out for yourself!

Completely outstanding. Creative integration of so many different musical ingredients! Must have inspired Beck Hansen

Well, I love this. Haven't heard other Zappa, but this is just my cup of tea - jammy, complex, weird but disciplined, astonishingly talented, head-bobby. Instrumentals, and Captain Beefheart! One of my favorites of all the albums so far.

this shit is 5 stars

Zappa made some gross music from a lyrical standpoint, but his compositions are among the finest in the popular canon. This being his first straight-up fusion album makes his work all the more appealing and just sounds incredible from beginning to end. An all-time favorite. A

5/5. Fantastic and excellent jams and instrumentals, each unique in their own way without getting jumbled together. Amazing solos on Gumbo and Willie, and honestly beautiful sounds coming from Peaches and Umbrellas. Overall, a glorious musical experience with new favorites every listen, something here for everyone, while sticking with that Frank Zappa sound.

ZAPPIN'

Awesome album listened to it twice in fact. Been a mainstay parking lot jam since 03'. The guitar solo in Son of Mr Green Gene's is Fire! Peaches is amazing. 2nd favorite Zappa era?

Excellent. Crazy busy bass parts. Weird and jazzy but not crazy weird like some of Zappa's other stuff.

Loved the jazzy chords mixed in with rock elements like electric guitar and drums. I missed vocals somewhat, but it's also refreshing to listen to something designed without them, too. Very happy to have learned about this one.

Iconic. Influential.

Perfect encapsulation of the late 60's to early 70's. Wide ranging sound. Jam band. They rip!

Frank Zappa was the master of whatever the hell it was he was doing.

"A movie for your ears."

Peaches in regalia is in my top 5, of best pieces of music, of all time.

Weird and awesome. I loved it.

It is very safe to say that I was not expecting to fall in love with a Frank Zappa record. However, that is the beauty of this exercise. All of these songs absolutely slap. It's a magnum opus of saxophone playing. They are completely grooving from the very start of the album. This is wonderful. Favorite tracks: Son of Mr. Green Genes, The Gumbo Variations

I've listened to some Zappa before. Don't Eat Snow Where the Huskies Go; seen 500 Hotels, etc. This may be quintissential Zappa and I like its flow more than what I've listened to in the past. The complete lack of lyrics doesn't hinder it, it heightens the musical audacity of each riff, each overlap of horns and other instruments. Great stuff.

The number of times I reactively raised my eyebrows or made a stank face during these 6 songs spanning ~43 minutes was truly absurd.

Immaculate fucking genius

A tight album of fusion with a light humor touch on songs like Willie The Pimp. I have a mixed relationship with zappa much past this point but this one works.

This is really good! Definetly a 4 .5 which I will have to round up per my rules

Yes! Et av mine favorittalbum, hører på dette regelmessig. Er så rart og kult og gøy og fint. Vet ikke om jeg har en favorittlåt, hører stort sett gjennom, men kanskje son of mr. Green genes.

Love it. Nostalgic. Every song too long yet I love it.

Fucking incredible. 5/5

I fucking love this album. 5 / 5 before I re-listen. Album opens with the jazzy instrumental Peaches En Regalia that ditters its way through three and a half minutes of pure bliss. Willie The Pimp takes a large chunk of the first side of the album with a super jammy song that references the album title internally. Vocals provided by Captain Beefheart do service over the more structured parts of the song; however, the majority of the song is just Zappa being Zappa and jamming his ass off alongside a groovy drum and bass accompaniment. I could listen to this song all day. Son Of Mr. Green Genes is apparently a rearrangement of a Mothers of Invention song. Pure instrumental on which Zappa once again does great service behind his fretwork. He's supported by strong instrumentals throughout. In particular the bass never lets things rest and propels the whole narrative. I'm a whore for some solid jazz fusion. Little Umbrellas is short and pretty jazz song that opens with a lugubrious bassline and is extended throughout by winds and keys. Relative to Willie The Pimp and Son of Mr. Green Genes, this feels like a very restrained and carefully put together song. This is the song you'd bring home to mom. The Gumbo Variations is the antithesis of the control from Little Umbrellas. On this sprawling jam number, Zappa opens with saxophone front and center blaring some beautiful noodling out of the gates over a drum beat that gets your head nodding. Bottom drops out a bit around the 2:40 mark to a smooth bass progression, but the sax work doesn't halt until the 4 minute mark when electric violin takes over the solo improvisation. This section in particular reminds me of Mahavishnu Orchestra's The Inner Mounting Flame (amazing album FYI) in tone and execution; amazing that this precedes it by two full years. Drum fills in the background are highly serviceable -- so much groove you could cut it with a knife. Zappa takes the reigns around the 9 minute mark for a bit before handing back to the electric violin to burn the house down. The album closes out with It Must Be A Camel; another jazz-infused song. This song follows a more structured format led primarily by horns and a bass progression, but gives way through the mid-section to some brief exploration. Zappa was an alien; I submit this album as proof.

This album fuckin rules. I had only listened to Apostrophe by Zappa before this but this solidified that I need to listen to more. So much happening that it's hard to put into words even. Would go 4.5 but I'm rounding up because of the experimentation of this all.

So ahead of his time. Wille the Pimp and The Gumbo Variations are jams

The gumbo variations is on of my all time favorite songs and captain beef heart on willie the pimp is awesome. However this is not my favorite Zappa album. Weasels ripped my flesh is to me a better album. Either way any Zappa album is worth a listen

Hot meat, hot rats Hot cats, hot grits Hot roots, hoy shoots Bass and drums really rock throughout the entire album

Hot Rats is an incredibly innovative album in the jazz fusion world. Zappa and his mates have crafted a fun filled, action packed, beautifully orchestrated album with influence that cannot be overstated. I believe, in almost all cases, tracks over ten minutes could most likely be shortened. However, if we’re dealing with jazz. If it’s jazz in which we are dealing with. Jazz being the if in which we deal, then I don’t mind it. I never felt bored while listening. I’ll listen again as I’ve enjoyed it before. 5/5

The Gumbo Variations is one of the best songs ever.

Zappa's masterpiece

Some sublime moments between some baffling ones. I liked it a ton

Had no idea what to expect but loved it. Weird and full and interesting

Prog masterpiece and frank zappas best work

Simply superb

Awesome, loved it!

Great album, possibly Frank Zappa's best. Certainly it's his most cohesive, stylistically coherent work. It's a rich, groovy, jazz-soaked sound, with strong musicianship and less of Zappa's tendency to lean into the silly/absurd. I think having the bulk of the album be instrumental allows Zappa to express his irreverence musically instead of through lyrics, which really works. That said, the one song with vocals ("Willie the Pimp") is probably the best of the whole album. Overall, a twisted adventure that also happens to rock. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Willie the Pimp, Peaches en Regalia, Son of Mr. Green Genes, It Must Be a Camel, The Gumbo Variations, Little Umbrellas

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

i can see how king gizz might’ve been influenced by him groovy as hell jazz on the last track? perfection

I bought a copy of this album a few years ago purely based on reputation. I was not disappointed. Incredibly fun prog / jazz / fusion jams. 4.5

Groso. Histérico. Guitarra a foul

added to my favorites

ZAPPA! One of the greatest and most prolific musicians in the past century. And that’s no hyperbolic boast, either. Zappa’s discography is about as wide as his range: all of his records riddled with “mad scientist-esque” musical experimentation. Though his songwriting may be marred by a middle-schooler’s sense of scatological humour, his virtuosity on the guitar and studio experimentation remain unmatched. Some albums may be complete misses (Avoid “Thing Fish” for the love of god), but some are complete hits, like “Hot Rats”. “Hot Rats” remains one of Zappa’s greatest records, as a jazz-rock fusion record that can’t be squarely placed in either Jazz or Rock. Zappa weaves together odd chord structures with rock instrumentation, but also includes jazz instruments like the saxophone, the upright bass, and associates. “Hot Rats” has jazz-like improvisation over the songs, illustrated in songs like “The Gumbo Variations”, with a spicy guitar solo from Zappa. Other songs have even become jazz standards, like “Peaches en Regalia”. All in all, whether this is Zappa’s best solo album is not up to debate, though people often disagree on whether it’s because of the musicianship or because only one track has lyrics (from guest vocalist Captain Beefheart). Don’t miss out on this gem. Standout Songs: “Peaches en Regalia” “Little Umbrellas” “The Gumbo Variations”

Love this album, another relatively recent find for me. I've been aware of Frank Zappa for a long time, but mainly only knew him for Bobby Brown and thought he was a bit of a novelty act. However, just before Halloween of last year, while driving out to a haunted house type experience, my partner randomly put this on in the car, because we had both heard it was a great album. It was suitably horrific for the night that was in it, and has been on fairly regular rotation for me ever since. Peaches En Regalia is a great opening, then Willie the Pimp follows it up in a fairly unsettling, but enjoyable, way. One of the best album covers I've seen in relation to the music also; what appears to me to be a clown who's taken too many drugs, attempting to hide in an empty swimming pool. Not sure how accurate that is, it's just what I see. Fits the music perfectly.

More great Zappa! Being a mostly instrumental affair, this one is perfect for people who can't handle the wit or can't stand the zaniness. Fantastic compositions that welcome many listens.

Hot Rats is not Zappa's best, but it is close. In terms of its contemporaries, no one was doing what Zappa was doing. His music was meant to be taken seriously, but it is infused with a uniquely irreverent sense of humor that is detectable even in the instrumental tracks that make up the bulk of this album. The musicianship is unmatched; Frank Zappa gets the most credit as a band leader, but his guitar playing is phenomenal. Furthermore, this jazz-rock fusion is reflective of a genre shift; as far as fusion goes, Zappa didn't invent it, but his version is probably the most palatable to the average listener.

Frank Zappa voor de goat discussie. Dit is wel z’n meest toegankelijke album, en ook mijn favoriete. 5 sterren!

Yeah this kicks ass, holy hell. The production on this is INSANE for 1969. Every song has it's own style and they don't waste your time at all. It's constantly fast paced and introducing new instruments and elements. Dude recorded a 40 minute album and sung 2 lines like a muppet. Willie the pimp is probably the best song though, it just reminds me so much of Primus and there's no way Les wasn't inspired by this to make his own music. I could be really picky and try to find flaws but there's very very few. Groundbreaking music Score: 100 Art: 80

idk yet

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

I used to have this CD

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

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

heat i love jazz

So good

Love this Zappa album

9/10

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

Very good

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.

Very good zappa

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

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.

Groovy, weird, enjoyable Funky brass instruments

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

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

Fire shit

<b>LOVED</b> this one!

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

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

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.

the nuts

Great tunes. Total flash

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

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

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

nice, love frank! 100\5

Brilliant

Meni najdraži zappin album

Guitarra de Zappa. Brutal. Vinilo.

LP

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!

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 is an acquired taste, I enjoyed it

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

There is no way of dieing without listening this.

flaming genius, fabulously intense - not one for listening to every day, but like many great LPs, there is an itch that only Hot Rats can scratch.

What a legend.

Probably my favorite frank Zappa. album. Awesome stuff. Peaches in regalia.

I greatly enjoyed listening to this album. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed all the songs, as I don't think there's a single one I dislike.

besser geht nicht

Guitarra de Zappa. Brutal.

Being the jazz-rock classic that it is, Hot Rats was the album that got me into Zappa. Peaches en Regalia has always been one of my favourite tracks, but perhaps I have been ignoring the other songs too often, because this time around I noticed some pretty amazing stuff across the whole album. Zappa has such a unique guitar playing style, and stands out when it come to composition and arrangement. The wild improvisations in the longer tracks do not always work perfectly, but the excellent musicianship and the energy and excitement that the album breathes makes it easy to get past the iffier parts.

Absolutely cracking album! Even bough the vinyl after listening to this!

1969 - Artful Jazz & Rock

I’m biased as a zappa fan, but this iconic album has the perfect combination of jazz fusion and rock n roll shreddiness. Nobody does what zappa does, 5 stars.

Not a bad track on the album. 5 stars.

Very captivating listen. Favorite tracks are Willie the Pimp and The Gumbo Variations.

Pretty great beats actually, so much more fun than I was expecting. Listened to it twice because Spotify un-downloaded all my music. 9/10

9/10. Actually I really enjoyed parts of this while sitting in traffic, it must be solid.

Awesome out there album, musically sound

what a surprise, loved this

All of the time great. Peaches. En regalia.

Holy fucken shit

Typical fun Zappa jam session. Groovin. Diggin the funky horns!

I never know what to take from a Zappa album honestly. I always try to make a few listens, and sometimes I feel like I get it. I don't. It's like being stoned, having the best idea in the world. And then you sober up, and it's sorta just gone forever. That's how I feel When listening to Zappa. Maybe I get it in the moment, but afterwards I don't have anything. Not a clue, It's just a ride, and a fucking good one at that.

Incredible funky nice vibes

10/10. Taught me a lot about science.

its actually really good to listen to nowadays... its so good couple good song some are too long

Amazing mixture of sounds

Virtuoso magic. Great sounds and a great mind. Classic fusion.

Genius

Orchestral rock, and groovy rock it is.

Занимательно, волнующе, качественно

Good start. Of course, heard this one many times. Bitchin' album start to finish.

Peak Zappa - incredible guitar work and full of absolute tunes. Second only to Overnite Sensation in my opinion!

Kein Wunder das alles den Bach runter geht wie high kann man denn gewesen sein beim komponieren und hören. The Gumbo Variations Großartig während dem Fahrradfahren gehört habe mich gefühlt wie in der Auflösung der zweiten Wendung in einem heist movie

Brilliant

I love Zappa, Hot Rats is great because it shows his great skills as a guitarist and bandleader.

A must listen

Finger licking good. Fav track: Nº3

An absolute banger, Zappa has an album of pure gold with wild sections of oddball stuff that always works. These are some real Hot Rats.

All killer, no filler.

Natürlich bekannt, schon viel zu lange nicht mehr ganz gehört. Nach dem ganzen Schrott in den vergangenen 2 Wochen eine wahre Wohltat.

Great tunes. Innovative and interesting. Lots to listen to.

Fire

I remember Burt sharing this record in early 2000s and I listened to Peaches En Regalia a ton but neglected the rest of it. Solid jams, lots of extended instrumental bits and even a whacked out saxophone solo!

god... keep the prog coming

Good jazz fusion, maybe even a little bit of proto-prog. Some crazy instrumentation on this, sometimes to its detriment like on the opener, not in love with the weird accordion sounds, but it’s fun, it’s groovy, jazzy, and the playing is awesome

Excellent album

✸ First time ever listening, and Zappa is really good at playing guitar (complimentary, obvious, etc.) ✸ This isn't my usual style or genre of music, but I'm having NO problem listening to songs that are 8+ minutes long. My attention is grabbed. ✸ Horn sounding like an angry goose on The Gumbo Variations. ✸ Overall, really interesting, really complicated, and only sometimes discordant or annoying (subjective opinion, etc.)

Didn't expect to enjoy this but had an absolutely great time

A: Nån ha rökt gräs o sen gått in i en studio o vibea o lekt rockstjärna. Vet int i vilken kvantitet ja sku lyssna på det här. Komppar B2s kommentar om att det är producerat långt innan sin tid. 3/5 D: En visionär. Visionerna var visserligen från andra dimensioner, men bättre så. Absolut ikon. David Bowie wished he was him. Med tanke på hur gammal musiken är ökar min respekt ytterligare, han måste ha blivit skuffad in i en massa skåp som ung. Förstår kristallklart varför han ville ge en intervju till just Leena. Mot slutet föll den lite av men total legend. Visste inte dom tillverkade sådana här karaktärer före 1980. 5/5

It must be a camel and Peaches En Regalia are good!

Sounded like overdosing on magic mushrooms

Not sure if this is a must listen, but I certainly had a fun time. And it was my first Zappa, I believe!

This is a fairly significant record for Zappa in the late 1960's. At the most immediate level, because of the fact that Peaches En Regalia had such an impact, but also because it's a good example of the increased compositional sophistication seen during this period, With the exception of the blues oriented composition, "Willie The Pimp", featuring Captain Beefheart, this record is exclusively made up of instrumentals, They largely remain within the genre of rock, but there is a definite jazz influence, both in terms of the instruments and the composition. There are moments where this does in fact sound a bit more like a jazz record, but Zappa's approach to the guitar tends to limit that. There isn't much else to say other than I like the record and its already in my collection.

Perfect for wine night.

I love it, but some parts are rough

The opening 10 seconds of the opening track is just perfection. The rest that follows isn’t bad either

My kind of sound

Freaky musical genius who definitely is an acquired taste. The talent is undeniable and the music enjoyable.

This albums a bit mad but it’s also brilliant

3.5 Fun album. Much better than I had expected.

Really enjoyed this and i'm not sure why as there are so many red flags and things i normally don't like!

Really enjoyable, felt effortlessly technical, great stuff

The one and only genre bending jester, maestro of mercurial mischief, Mr. Franklin Zappa! With this 1969 bluesy-jazz masterpiece he presents the world a gift, dedicated to his newly born son; Dweezil —HOT RATS!

It's good. Peppy, different. I liked it. It was a surprise. 3.75

B+

So weird. So jazzy. So jammy. So great. Rest in power Zappa

vibe

Good music, felt more conventional, which is to say I got a bit bored lol

8/10 This was a nice, mostly instrumental, jazz fusion album. I especially enjoyed the first half.

This album was really nice to get lost in after an exhausting day at work. There's always something interesting going on, but the sounds aren't overwhelming. It just feels freeing listening to the album. It pulls many different influences together into a strange cocktail that could easily become utter nonsense, but Frank somehow pulls it off. Heart and centre are the guitar solos for me. Overall there is such strong musicianship at play here that impresses me a lot. Could maybe use one or two songs with more structure, but the jam-esque quality i'm usually not that fond of works for me on here. (And how much fun is It Must Ce A Camel?)

I don't know if I have much to say about this, because it's mostly just a group of really cool instrumentals along with one song where Captain Beefheart shows up to say some things, but Hot Rats is a solid jazzy rock thing if that's what you want. Groovy 60s/70s movie soundtrack, basically. Cool shit if you're game. Also, all rats are hot.

This was a ride. I had no idea that this was what Frank Zappa was like. Great listen.

Oooo, I really liked that. some of the Saxophone got to be too much. But towards the end of the album, I made the stank face where the musicians were just going off.

Willie the pimp is a force to be reckoned with 😂 and I couldn’t explain why. He is so odd… yet still accessible. 4.1.

This was great. Didn’t care for the vocals on the second track but they were short-lived. Psychedelic jazz rock! Not everything hit perfectly, but there was party to like. 8/10 Most Excellent

Fun listen. Tracks 2 and 3 are my favorites.

I’ve never been further than dabbling with Zappa. This was the best experience I’ve had so far, and I will return to this album.

More words have probably been written by people who hated Zappa than those who loved him. I'm not going to improve on any of those. I get that it's not for everyone, but I think it's worthy. Probably amongst his most consistent work too, even if it's lacking in the lyrical humour department.

Yes Frank Zappa, somehow not really an artist I listen to, but when I listen to an record I'm always intrigued by the music. Also this lovely jazz-rock album.

I'll admit to having been extremely gunshy about Zappa following my unpleasant experience with the proudly repellent *We're Only in It for the Money*. So I was very happy to hear Zappa getting out of his own way here by (a) abandoning lyric-writing for the most part, and (b) ceding much of the floor to Ian Underwood's keys, horns, and woodwinds. My primary complaint is really that this isn't quite jazzy *enough*; these players are clearly capable of changing keys and times within a song and should be doing a little more of that, lest the whole thing get same-y. But there are plenty of strong moments (I personally prefer the front half of "Son of Mr. Green Genes," plus Don Harris's sublime violin work on "The Gumbo Variations") and there's nothing here that doesn't work. On the whole this is fun and enjoyable jazz fusion; turns out "shut up 'n play yer guitar" is good advice.

This was a surprising listen for me. I was really turned off by The Mothers Of Invention stuff, so hearing this was a welcome sound, even if it is jazzy. I'm gonna give it another listen but so far: Biggest Hit - Willie The Pimp Biggest Miss - Little Umbrellas Hidden Gem - Son Of Mr. Green Genes

Enjoyed it a lot. Really nice melodies

it was pretty fun album. probably will listen to it again

Esto estuvo MUCHISIMO más entretenido de lo que pensaba, es background music para mi, pero una muy muy buena

This shit made me feel like a cartoon character 4 stars

The only Zappa album I've ever heard is Joe's Garage, which I kind of enjoyed. This is mostly jazz-rock instrumentals with the exception of Willie The Pimp. Some really great guitar work. I need to check out more Zappa.

I had a boyfriend a million years ago who LOVED Frank Zappa. And I must say - he was right

This was fun! Way less weird than I thought it would be. Great musicianship and arrangements.

Ok I’ll stop backing the blue. 4.

Very cool album. Haven’t listened to much Zappa, but this one was really interesting.

could’ve hated this and didn’t so giving it a 4

i love zappa

Fun funky time, just generally enjoyable no real complex feelings towards it it's just good.

Hat mich voll abgeholt! Energetisch wie sonst was, sehr jazzig. Die läuft sicher öfter!

Kurz vor 5 Sternen für mich. Ich hatte das mal gehört, hatte mich damals nicht abgeholt. Jetzt war ich baff. Neuentdeckung!

Frankie goes all in on improv jazz. Cool. But he's on another stratosphere than me so it's hard to relate. How they could remember all the key and timing changes is beyond me.

Really like this! I've realised I rate on originality, groove and cohesion and this has all three. The long pieces are very interesting to listen to. I did have Willie The Pimp already saved in Apple Music, but on this listen I skipped - after listening to a bit of Joes' Garage and having to turn it off on Crew Sluts and doing a bit of googling only to realise that sexist shit was not ironic at all - I hate the subject matter. I won't always skip I don't think. I do like the groove. Otherwise the long pieces are a tiny bit too long, like 1-2 minutes. Love it overall wish he wasn't such an arsehole.

HOT MEAT. HOT RATS. HOT CATS. HOT RITZ!

An eclectic, sometimes dissonant avant-garde jazz-rock album, which was not what I expected, but delighted me nonetheless.

Funky, fun. Never heard Frank Zappa's music before, even though he's obviously a household name.

This is AWESOME. Bombastic and varied, without being self-fellating.

I wish more Frank Zappa albums had little to no vocals. This is much more enjoyable than anything else I've heard from him with our without The Mothers Of Invention. A little jazzy, a little jammy, a little experimental.

Supremely cool. Loved the extended solos. This may be the best example of jazz/rock fusion from this era.

This was a pretty cool, free form jazzy record. Surprised me!

For a jam album, I can dig it

Was a little skeptical of whether or not I'd like an instrumental album by Zappa (I usually dig his wacky narratives) but this over-delivered. Interested in checking him out again.

experimental and fun

Go Gitarre go

Man, I can't believe that I have never heard that album. I've heard songs from it but the album, as a whole, was rippin'.

That was a wild trip! Hadn’t heard much (any?) Zappa before, but it was great. Some guy I have vaguely heard of named Captain Beefheart- who I assume will also be on this list- sings the only song with lyrics (Willie the Pimp), and both his voice and the song remind me of the great Tom Waites, so I assume they were influences on him.

Was not sure what to expect but damn this was good.

My first encounter with a Zappa album and, man, I was not dissapointed. Great stuff. Favourite track: Son Of Mr. Green Genes

Nunca había escuchado un disco de Frank Zappa, pero siempre tuve entendido que era "demasiado raro" y "no para las personas que disfrutan del pop" porque supuestamente desafía todas las normas convencionales, con un espíritu desafiante, ironía y humor negro. Debo decir, es bastante disfrutable y cómodo de escuchar. A la vez, entiendo que para el tiempo fue "innovador" (sobretodo considerando que el canon del sonido era Abbey Road u otras bandas de la invasión británica). Creo que Zappa no hizo más que King Crimson- O que otras bandas "progresivas" del círculo masturbatorio de la "creatividad contestativa" basada en lo que "es música real". ¿Qué es música? ¿Qué es rock y qué no? Creo que hay dos tipos de personas (u artistas) en este mundo: Los que crean por crear, y los que crean por contestar. No me agradan los segundos; ya que son literales reaccionarios del sonido- el golpe contesta a la ola. Los fanáticos de Zappa son probablemente de las personas más desagradables en el espectro de la crítica musical. Dicho todo lo anterior- Este es un buen disco. Muy pop, muy digerible y sencillo. Zappa no es la gran cosa. Para el que entienda, es como el Neon Genesis Evangelion de la música; es bueno, pero increíblemente sobrevalorado. Pistas destacadas: Peaches en Regalia Son of Mr. Green Genes The Gumbo Variations It must be a Camel