Hot Rats

I'm going to call this prog garage fusion, and boy am I here for it. Hot Rats came out in 1969 and sounds like it could have been released ten years later, or yesterday, or tomorrow. Listening to this album for the first time makes me think that it must have been super influential. I'm just not familiar with it beyond being vaguely aware of its existence. I don't know how much value there is here beyond the wild, gritty jams. I'm open-minded, but I don't predict life-changing insights will be revealed to me during "Mr. Green Genes." I'm not sure how often I'll return to it, but man, it rocks. Four stars.

Whatever.

Eh, it's fine. A collection of instrumental jams (minus one vocal section with Captain Beefheart on "Willie The Pimp") that serve as enjoyable background music. It's "jazz-influenced" but the more jazzy numbers don't really hit the mark. Best bits are the instrumental section of "Willie the Pimp" and "Son of Mr. Green Genes."

241/1089 This is fine, not really my cup of tea though. it’ll (deservingly) have its fans though Peaches En Regalia was the stand out 45/100

I fw it

Didn’t hate it. It is a bit wanky of course at times best zap album. I’ve heard so far and I usually really hate them.

3/16/26. Love this album. Great instrumental jazz-fusion with a big rock edge, and perhaps the chaotic nature of it. It took me a bit to understand Zappa, but this one hits since each track has a great groove.

Love some of the guitar work

It's 1969. Everyone is dropping LSD and giving each other STIs. Frank, on the other hand, is straightedge and making... whatever the fuck this is. I liked the jazzier weirdo tracks more than the psych tracks, which is odd for me. The guys was obviously a genius, even at this young(er) age.

Alright

The music is really nice, but mostly intstrumental and the tracks are really long. Best song: Willie The Pimp

The guitar playing=iconic. This feels so Betelgeuse-coded

No notes, just vibes

Sounds like cool 70s TV and movie theme songs.

Em, I think that might have been great... It's harder work than I need first thing in the morning.

Like many misguided students in the early 2000s, I had a Zappa phase, so this wasn’t totally new to me. Albums like this can be pretty hit or miss, but I had a good time throughout. Favourite track: Willie the Pimp

Again, a bit weird. Some good stuff, some crap. Overall ok, think I expected more.

Fun surprise!! Instrumental baddies in here, some cool king crimson vibes and overall really fun to listen to. 4.25/5

Anyone complaining about today's pop music will have to explain to me how people in the 60s voluntarily listened to 45 minutes of annoying guitar wanking. Edit: and now also saxophone wanking, for fuck's sake.

weird

Very interesting chord progressions. Too much jam, however.

my uneducated ass isn't sophisticated enough to understand music from era when making non-profitable music was still a thing like the unapologetically jazzy stuff, but some of the instrumental parts aren't my jam, I don't dig sporadic stuff

Well aware of Frank Zappa but never really go into him. Some interesting songs here! Worth another listen soon i reckon!

Jam bandish, too much kazoo

OK

godines

Directly from Frank to my heart

My biggest gripe about Zappa is usually his lyrics and voice. This album was immeasurably improved by him essentially keeping his mouth closed for most of it

Okay ja interessant wel, maar langzaamaan werd ik er gek van!

Hot rats? More like hot garbage.

heerlijk!

groot zappa fan maar dit is niet m'n favoriet. wel lekker gitaarwerk

It took me a long time to get into Zappa. & to be honest some I get & some I don't. But this record is fantastic! It's mostly all instrumentals & it's definitely a trip!

08/03/2026 1. peaches en regalia - ooo liking it immediately... horns sound like car horns? sitar? bass is nice. like the organ(?) in the back. *2. willie the pimp - reaaally liking the violin with the bass. lyrics! love the guitar. drumming is great! violin is back!! 3. son of mr. green genes - liking the start.... bass is really great! saxaphone is phenomenal!! love the ending. *4. little umbrellas - love the bass and the saxaphone... drums are great!! love it!!!!! *5. the gumbo variations - reallllly liking the start... love the saxaphone again.... bass is fantastic. violin is back!! loved this one!!! *6. it must be a camel - loving this.... great!! wasn't sure what to think about this one when it first showed up, but really loved it! will relisten again soon!

Holy God but I was NOT prepared for quite how hot these rats turned out to be.

Sort of as expected. Not my fave, but glad I gave it a listen.

Avant-Gard in all the right ways, lots of unconventional instruments and sounds but still very musical. Very impressive walking such a fine line between a jumbled mess and an artistic musical mess

Was not at all familiar with him before this. It's got a lot of that psychedelic sound, the violins made me think of Kansas. Interesting stuff.

muy muy muy instrumental cosa que no me termina de cerrar pero el rulo zappa sabia guitarrear como nadie

Strange album but it's good

Cool groovy background music.

Jam jazz, a freshman year at University classic. Kind fun, heard most of this before l. 3/4

Really good stuff. The bass is especially sick. The end of the album got a little noisy and annoying to me, but I also listened to it while putting together IKEA furniture, so it could've just been that. You'd think in the age of chat gpt, IKEA could handle writing out instructions in multiple languages instead of making me play pictionary with their fucking generic instruction manual.

good shit frank. feels like the invention of the genre agnostic jam band performance. very neat. favorite song is Son Of Mr. Green Genes

Rating: 7/10 Get me off of Frank Zappa's wild ride. This was really interesting and wacky experimental shit though, just super out there. He's a lot better when he's just jamming out and seeing where he progresses these wild songs than when he's being making comedy music

Kinda cool actually. Didn't change my life but it was fun to listen along to and was weird and creative enough to win me over eventually. The funny little kazoos are weird but also fun to see how modern bands still love to throw em into songs even now 5.8/10

Ебейший, очень интересный соляки. Я уверен если бы я больше разбирался в теории музыки то я бы ахуел

I'm a big Zappa fan but this was never an album I held in much esteem and listening to it again in 2026 hasn't changed that. It lacks many of the things I enjoy most in Zappa's music, notably his unique lyrics and vocal delivery, and the complex, musically-unorthodox and virtuosic compositions. Hot Rats is paradoxically overly structured and yet meandering, carefully curated yet half baked. Nearly every song devolving into aimless noodling but never steps outside of its tightly constrained parameters. While it seems uncharacteristically unimaginative, there's some high points for sure. Little Umbrellas is wonderful, some of the licks in the guitar solo on The Gumbo Variations showcase Zappa's trademark guitar stylings at their best, and Captain Beefheart's verses on Willie the Pimp make for a great opening few minutes, before it nosedives into a loose jam that doesn't really go anywhere. It's still Zappa at the end of the day, so it's not bad. But I've never understood the hype for this album and I don't think I ever will.

He seems to have been so unsufferable to talk to

Captain Beefeheart kept this from being a 5 star album. Otherwise I loved it.

Cool! Never heard any Zappa before this.

Thought I wouldn’t like this, but it’s rad

Mindless noodling, this is not. Excellent, jazzy guitar showcase. Favorite track: Son of Mr. Green Genes

dang dude long song 3/5?

Not my favorite Zappa

Tamer than some Zappa I've been exposed to before, deffo essential listening 4 - a great album, even among this list

Many times when I give out a 3 it's because an album is just fine. Middle-of-the-road albums that are not bad, but not particularly good either. Hot Rats is not one of those. Hot Rats is anything but middle-of-the-road, I'm just not sure where I land on it. Look, the man named his son "Dweezil", he's clearly some kind of eccentric genius... or at least he's definitely eccentric. It's really interesting music, which I'd definitely enjoy in smaller bursts. As an album? It's just a bit much. I only need so many Frank Zappa guitar solos. Still, very interesting and technically clever music.

Didn't like the Zappa stuff I've listened to before. The mix of overly proggy music with stupid lyrics wasn't meshing for me. I prefer early Ween where the songs and the lyrics are stupid. I think this is a pretty quality, colourful release, but aside from Peaches en Regalia the tracks failed to really hold my interest

Its good i guess

meh

I was worried seeing the reviews for this would skew my opinion but have no fear! This is great!!!

This was really great running music, can’t speak to a static listening experience but if it’s dynamic enough to run to feel like it would have held up

I’ve only ever known Frank Zappa as the aesthetic inspiration for Peggy’s boyfriend Abe in the later seasons of Mad Men, but man I loved this! It was groovy! It was funky! It made me feel like I was plonked into the middle of The Nice Guys (one of my all time fave movies!!). Gimme more!

this one was not for me (one of my least favourite so far)

Yeah man I can see why weird assholes worship this dude.

So exiting!

My favourite Zappa album of them all.

Brilliant. Frank Zappa is a legend.

…did Zappa invent prog rock? Why didn’t I know this? Why is no one talking about this?

Lots of extended jam with a few cool riffs here and there, but if you’re not tripping on drugs, lots of it will be lost on you

I really enjoyed this. It was super fun and honestly perfect for a rainy afternoon.

Relisten

Listened to this a few days ago. It’s fuckin PEAK!

Peaches en Regalia is obviously great but the rest is kind of just Zappa mush that I didn't care for.

Enjoyable listen

It's weird that this evaded me for so long, but then again it's not. There isn't an obvious box to put this into. (Maybe we don't put art in boxes or whatever?) Splits the difference between Television and Miles Davis. Can't wait to come back to this one.

Excelente

Always a fresh listen with this album, something new to discover in every relisten. Like better the first half, great opener and couple of memorable songs. The second half or last two track feel a bit unbalanced but still enjoyable

2.5/5, rounded up to 3 by the grace of an integer based rating system. It's a decent enough album, but hardly worth a revisit. Zappa has always felt to me as overly self-indulgent with little consideration for his listeners. So many songs go on for too long, and some instruments/phrasings are used for novelty's sake. There are some good riffs and pieces here though — really good ones, and I would always think "wait, don't go" when one arrived since it would usually disappear not too long after introduction. I'm thinking of the brilliant fiddle in particular that graced a couple of the songs for far too little. It's always a little painful to think of what could've been if a jamming artist just swallowed their pride and exploited this excellent riff or rhythm instead of letting it get buried in a mess of other sounds. Hot Rats. Could've been a 4/5.

“A movie for your ears” was probably a good description for this, but I didn’t necessarily enjoy the movie. For example, the screeching instruments in The Gumbo Variations is something I’d liken to a creaky door… good thing there was only one song after it, cause after about 12min of that I was ready to be done.

wombo combo jazz en rock

3,5

I'm not a Frank Zappa fan but this is not terrible. I could actually listen to most of it only fast forwarding through one part late in the album. Probably not something that I would listen to on my own or really under any circumstance but I don't regret listening to it this one time.

Not really my thing but can’t deny the musicianship and intricacies to this album. Doubt I’ll ever go back to it but that’s just due to tastes and preferences.

I think the name frank Zappa scare me for some reason… but this was good and I enjoyed it!

HOT MEAT! HOT RATS! HOT CATS!!!!!!! 🐈/5

Looooooooooove this one, my favourite Zappa by a mile

Not that great and not my favorite zappa

Sumt allt í lagi en annað sem dró þetta niður

Hot rats? Meira svona hot mess. Nei, ég segi svona.

Enjoyable but not loveable for me.

Not my speed, super forgettable, with some songs actually being painfully annoying

Great vibes here. Frank sings in 1 maybe 2 songs. When the guitar and drums are as catchy as they are here, who needs vocals. Willie the Pimp followed by Son Of Mr. Green Genes blew my brain. There is a LOT of Frank Zappa to discover which is a little intimidating but if there is more like this, I’m in

I’ve never considered myself a Frank Zappa fan, but Hot Rats was a genuinely enjoyable surprise. I went in expecting something far more guitar-heavy, yet what stood out wasn’t quantity, it was quality. When the guitar does arrive, it’s sharp, expressive and superbly played. This is jazz fusion I can really get behind. The musicianship is exceptional throughout, and the largely instrumental format allows the arrangements to breathe. There’s space, groove and a real sense of experimentation without it feeling self-indulgent. “Son of Mr. Green Genes” instantly caught my ear and I can’t help thinking the opening has a similar feel to the intro of Toast of London, which made me smile. “Peaches en Regalia” is another standout: bright, melodic and brilliantly composed. Favourite tracks: Son of Mr. Green Genes; Peaches en Regalia Least favourite track: “Willie the Pimp” The vocal delivery and drawn-out feel make it less enjoyable than the instrumental highlights it leans more into chaos than cohesion. Album artwork: A striking and colourful cover

93/100. A really fantastic record with so much impressive instrumentation. The few vocals that were included added a lot. It is a beautifully composed and produced album. Jazz fusion at the highest level.

Good and interesting

Fuck yeah zappa time

Great first couple of tracks, but loses steam on the second half.

Really cool blend of jazz and rock, but some songs feel that they overstay their welcome. Likes: Peaches En Regalia, Son of Mr. Green Genes, It Must Be A Camel

Not a massive Zappa fan, but his work is always enjoyable. This is a good jazz infused psychedelic rock album worthy of a good listen. I enjoyed it.

whad did he do to his guitar for it to sound like THAT

You know what, even if I'm not too keen on the stinky cheese-rank smell of this album, it sounds impeccably mixed for a dino album that I was guessing was from the mid 70's, but actually 69 which is a little crazy. But Zappa using one of the first 16-track recorders, which definitely accounts for having so many goddamn instruments but them all sounding clear as day. This dude is so smart but most of the time he's like Jacob Collier because he's too smart to ever be fun to listen to. But at least he's funny, and if you're in the mood for jazz electric guitar (I don't think I ever have been once in my life) he is a phenomenal player.

crazy

Great jams but it doesn’t make me want to go back and listen to it more.

I get it, but also I don't

I'd love to hear what Frank would have to say about the state of the world in 2026. This is one of my favorites of his and his band during this era is unrivaled.

this got my rats hot for sure

slaps

Frank Zappa was a genius over many musical genres, but this isn't my favorite of those genres. With the exception of "Willie the Pimp", these are all extended rock/jazz/fusion instrumentals that display a staggering amount of instrumental prowess (as all Zappa's work did) but aren't actually all that enjoyable to listen to. There are moments of beauty and coolness, but also extended stretches of ear-punishing dissonance. Not something I'll seek out to listen again.

Pretty cool

Decent Jazz album. Didnt drag on too long which I like.

Great album. Son of Mr Green Genes and It Must Be A Camel favorites. Peaches in Regalia kinda sounds like video game music. All songs good. I would like this album more if there were more songs!! Willie The Pimp gets stuck in my head way too easily, but not as often as i’d like.

Vibes - just vibes on vibes on vibes on vibes. Impeccable

Bastard racket

Love Zappa. This album is amazing, Peaches en Regalia is one of the great opening songs for an album

Amazing.

Album 50 Top 3 favorites off the album: It Must Be A Camel, Peaches En Regalia, Little Umbrellas 6/7 OF THE LICC SIGHTED IN THE FIELD??!!?!?!!? I wasn't expecting his voice to sound like it does. I didn't actually have an idea of what it would sound like, but my lack of imagination didn't imagine it as that. This was a jam heavy album. I can get behind that in general, but a lot of this jamming went on a little long for my taste. I like that one effect that I can't describe right now, on the bass, the sploinky one. That's the technical term, too. Peaches En Regalia had an old videogame feel, like something I'd hear in an old Pokemon game. I liked it. It Must Be A Camel was fun for the polyrhythms. He named his daughter Moon Unit. He named his son Dweezil. I can't decide which is worse. At least if you're Moon Unit, you can shorten it to Moon which is nice. But Dweezil??? After listening to this album, I think I understand why, fundamentally as a person, he did it. In conclusion: 50th album? Not bad.

Meget fed faktisk. Klart det tætteste jeg har været på at forstå Frank Zappa

Havde ikke hørt den her før, anede ikke i hvor høj grad det bare er en pissefed jazzrock plade! Havde regnet med det var mere fjollet fordi det er Zappa men det bare cool jo

Weird and enjoyable. Much easier to swallow without his vocals (which I don't hate)

All over the place in a very dope way. It was like jazz but not annoying

Funky Zappa album solid

If a dive bar was a genre of music it'd be this (compliment)

Frank Zappa is a legendary guitar player, this album is a great mix of style but it can be a bit overwhelming at the end of one or two song with the guitar blasting notes. But overall great album

Highly technical and quirky Jazz-Rock record. Zappa is able to keep it fun and approachable despite some of the more leftfield moments. It is also mostly instrumental, except for Captain Beefheart's vocals on "Willie the Pimp", so not many Zappa-esque humourous lyrics on here. This, however, allows the music to take center stage. Key tracks: Peaches en Regalia Willie the Pimp

Zwykle nie przepadam za tymi mocno instrumentalnymi płytami, ale ta była istną przygodą. Iście barokowy przesyt dźwięków, śmiałe kompozycje, melodyczne wolty. Piękne to było. 7.5/10

I listened from start to finish, and I enjoyed some parts... but Zappa's out there.

Unexpectedly good!

Yay! My first Frank Zappa on 1001! Woo Hoo. I love this album.

Loved it

I always figured Frank Zappa was for prog nerds what Captain Beefheart was for pretentious weirdos. I feel vindicated, and I liked it.

Drugs

Now this is jazz that I can get down to. Insane leads.

I totally get what Frank Zappa was going for, and why he was such a big deal. I do appreciate his contribution to music, but oh this album was tough for me. I think Frank Zappa is an acquired taste, and I just don’t have it.

Killer vibe. Great guitar, classic.

Frank Zappa's Hot rats was an album I loved, it's got great instrumentals and every song manages to feel different and groovy while letting different instruments get the spotlight 5/5, fav song: Son of Mr Green Genes

sympa mais sans plus

Herregud, evighetslånga låtar. Jobbigt att lyssna på. Förstår inte helt grejen med Frank Zappa annat än att jag trots allt blir lite fascinerad. Det är inte dåligt, bara inte riktigt min grej.

Æ trodde ikke Frank Zappa spilte chill jazz? Alt man lære!

Ahead of it's time and wonderfully Frank.

Screeching guitar instrumentals with the occasional piano smash

I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. Wasn't sure what to expect going in but wow this was enjoyable. I had it in on the background and I think that was absolutely perfect.

Talented but not totally my jam. Still an interesting sound

Ah it's the music from the start of the Ellis and John podcast, and I also recognise the album name as the record shop in Sunderland we'd by gig tickets from. Don't think I've actually listened to any of this before mind, do quite like it. Mostly instrumental and full of ideas, it's classic rock at it's core but goes in a lot of different directions. Liked the jazzy last track a lot. Bit too meandering and long meaning there were enough parts I wasn't huge on to be a 5. But very good.

Not terrible, just not for me. Too meandering (I wouldn't say long, just boring and unfocused). Didn't like the jazz stuff so much. Felt like a collection of similar-sounding jams. Some if it was enjoyable to be fair, Peaches and Regalia, but that didn't make up for the rest.

Really enjoyed this. Felt more of a jam session then anything else. Very sparse on any vocals. I had such a go at that spy Vs spy album the other day. Probably contradicting myself, as there are definitely jazz elements here too. I think the main difference is that this has progression, I can kinda follow a structure and can tell when it's building into something. That spy album was just a mess of noise and seemingly directionless for the vast majority of it. Anyway, thought this Zappa album was great. Was interesting background music, not too weird, and some great psychedelic singing guitars. I would say the first half was better than the latter 4

A little groovy I guess.

love willie the pimp

A lot of random noise that sometimes comes together to make beautiful music

A dense, wildly ambitious fusion of rock, jazz, and Zappa’s restless compositional brain. It’s packed with virtuosity and strange structural ideas, yet somehow stays playful rather than academic. Even when it feels indulgent, the confidence and precision make it hard not to admire. A maximalist statement that mostly earns its excess.

I didn’t know Zappa was about these instrumental type grooves. Really enjoyable all the way through.

4,0 Highlights: Peaches En Regalia, Willie the Pimp

Liked this one a LOT more than I thought I would. Groovy, jazzy, abstract. Son of Mr. Green Genes and The Gumbo Variations stand out for me. I love the sax just going IN on Gumbo.

Pre-listen: I know the name, and know Zappa is meant to be very sporadic and jazzy rock with loads of improv, so we’ll see what this offers up. During listen: Blimey, goes all over the place! Feels like there’s so many musical motifs and references I’m not getting. Enjoying the ride. I’m getting Doors, Santana, jazz standards (warped), old school funk (feels 70s before the 70s) Wonky, eccentric, trebly (recording techniques probably lent to this), erratic drums mixed back, guitar playing stunning tbf - maximalist in a way, but allows standout stuff room to breathe. Also culturally all about the place - can feel South American, African, Afro-American, all at same time. Post-listen: Blimey, goes all over the place! Feels like there’s so many musical motifs and references I’m not getting. Enjoyed the ride. Doors, Santana, warped jazz standards, old school funk, blues; it’s all there. Culturally as well, seems to draw on South American, African, Afro-American, Asian, and more all at once at times. Some grooves I just get thrust into more than others, musicianship outstanding though. Willie the pimp, mr green genes, must be a camel, all standouts and pretty remarkable compositions. Couldn’t listen to it all day every day, but for the time I do, WOW!

Exciting style. Great musicianship. Quirky creative Zappa but all instrumental bar one track??? Nah no thanks.

I liked the music very much, some songs overlong. Would have needed lyrics for a 5!

Frank Zappa should be in every conversation about the best guitar players of all time. This album is mind-blowing.

Pretentious Jazz noodling...

expected unbearable vocals, got mind blowing instrumental jams. perfect

good jazz - neer listened to him before!

Not for me.

This is so rad. A perfect fusion of well, jazz fusion, and early 70s prog. I still need to do my Frank Zappa homework, and I realize the rest of his discog isn’t like this, but the adventurous spirit I’ve identified with him is all over this album. Listenable and fun. Must-listen #292.

Listening to Frank Zappa makes me think about an Uncle that I never had; an Uncle that smokes too many cigarettes and always has a new side piece (or several) every time you see him. He definitely has many crazy stories and experiences to share, but he passes on before you're old enough to listen. This album is equally brilliant as it is insane. It's all over the place, yet cohesive at the same time. No lyrics, just a performance. And damn a good performance at that.

OK, this album slaps far harder than I remember. I listened to it a ton in the 80s and early 90s when I was a pretentious young adult trying to pretend to like difficult listening. Now, I realize how joyous the improv is. It is a great fusion of jazz and rock, just like it was probably supposed to be. Could be the shock of recognition, like seeing someone you found difficult but haven't seen for a long time. Still, I enjoyed listening to it. It also brought together impressions I have of post wwII California and the American West - the innovation and alienness that exudes from places like Nevada and the aerospace, aviation and military mixed with cultural novelties. It's somehow all wrapped up in listening to this.

Nope

one of the jazzier zappa albums i've heard, and it's really damn good. not as weird as "freak out" or "joe's garage", for example, and a better listen for it.

Alright mostly instrumental. Enjoyed the vocals when there was some on willie the pimp.

really great sound (i haven't ever listened to that type of music)

Finally a Zappa album that didn’t hurt my brain. Actually enjoyed this one instead of trying to wrangle the abstract mass that is his usual style.

wish it had words but i liked the instrumentals

hab nur das 1. Lied gehört

Soulless technical accomplishment. This is a collection of random noises, and the class clever clogs sequences these to make something vaguely listenable. This is exactly why I don’t like jazz fusion.

I know Peaches En Regalia as the bed music from the excellent Ellis and John radio show on Five Live. Overall an enjoyable listen, but part of the fun of Zappa is the oddball lyrical flourishes so I would have preferred a few more tracks with vocals like the one with Captain Beefheart.

I liked it. Cool jam-band vibe and mostly instrumental.

I just had the weirdest morning commute ever.

Funky and groovy

Frank Zappa can create some weird magic. This album is ultimately rock and jazz fusion, but with Zappa’s vision it seems utterly unique. The track to return to is “Willy the Pimp” because you have vocals by Don Van Vliet aka Captain Beefheart as well as some phenomenal guitar work. I was wondering when I would return to the rest of this weird magic, and concluded that my life isn’t weird or magical enough to ever have this playing as the soundtrack. But it’s great stuff.

If someone was curious about Frank Zappa's musical talents, I would submit this album. It certainly showcases his gifts. However, it is missing his incredible wit and sharp take on things usually present in his lyrics. Though there are a few songs on here with lyrics, they are not compelling, interesting, or as fun as typical Zappa. The music, while it does have its Zappa vibe, is more jazz and session driven. Jazz isn't a bad thing, and it is not surprise that he can pull it off.

Phenomenal! I see why he was so revered in the day

Kinda my favorite jazz album. Zappa’s guitar is simply amazing on here. Beefheart’s vocals on Willie the Pimp are a career high (along with Zappa’s solo and Sugarcane’s riff) imo. If you wanna get into jazz-rock/fusion or just Zappa in general, you wouldn’t be wrong starting here. Simply one of the best albums of all time.

Frank Zappa wrote music that was both very strange and very, very technical. Sometimes they were novelty songs and sometimes they were polyrhythmic grooves. Surprisingly, he neither drank nor did hard drugs (he did smoke like a chimney). He also had the greatest mustache and soul patch combination in history -- you can just draw the two parts on a blank page and people will recognize Zappa. Is the music good? Yeah, in every sense of that question. But will you like it? Very possibly not -- 'Peaches En Regalia' sounds like video game music (although it's a 1969 album, so the causality is reverse). It's kind of incredible as a work of percussion, though. 'Willie The Pimp' is a goddamn groove and a testament to my recent grumbling that guitars didn't need to sound like steaming garbage in 1969. I'd say that, if you don't like this, listen to it again. Try to figure out what people like about it and ruminate on how tightly composed and intentional it all is. Zappa is the epitome of artists who simultaneously take themselves without any seriousness but take their art deadly seriously. Those two things are in constant tension and probably define precisely why you do or don't like Zappa. He's completely up his own ass and also very apologetic about it. He also wouldn't care if you hated his music but he'd be curious about why. This is fucking great. It's the polar opposite of the Kid Rock I had to listen to last year. This is absolutely weird, eclectic and somehow also infectious. The only real vocals on the album are by Captain Fucking Beefheart and they're great. It's jazzy in a sincere way, it meanders because it's really chasing something and it is, in all, entirely authentic to Zappa. Some people think that rock music's obsession with authenticity doesn't hold up to scrutiny -- that authenticity is impossible, or indefinable. I think that's the musical equivalent of nihilism: just because authenticity can't be defined objectively and universally does not mean that it can't be defined personally and valued. This weird-ass, tongue-in-cheek, pretentious innovation (16-track recording!) is entirely Zappa. It's excellent. Listen to it until you love it.

Started jazzy but so much of the same thing first time dnf

Ном декілька треків, але вініл би не брав

Interesting and a great listen. For what it is, it's excellent.

Cool breakfast background music

Also quite good music, I picked 1-2 songs to my own playlist

Niet zo'n Zappa fan

Hee, maar dit is niet kut?? De Mothers of Invention is zo'n beetje mn meest gehate band gezien het OMGLOLIMSORANDOMROFLMAOOOOOO gehalte dat nogal hoog ligt, maar dit klinkt... Eigenlijk best wel lekker? Het is een beetje jazzy, rocky? Ik begin hier eigenlijk wel een beetje te begrijpen wat mensen nou zo leuk vinden aan Frank Zappa. Want dit is gewoon hele goede muziek. Het helpt denk ik wel dat het bijna allemaal instrumentale nummers zijn, dan word het al snel wat meer jazzy en vibey. Zeker vergeleken met de bak herrie die ik moest doorstaan hiervoor vind ik dit heerlijke wegluister muziek. Hier neig je dan toch sneller naar een hoog cijfer. Durf zelfs te zeggen dat dit voor mij 4 sterren is, wat bizar is na 2 maal een 1 met Mothers of Invention. Daaraan terug denkend viel me wel al vaak op dat het instrumentaal goed in elkaar zat, maar dat de kinderachtige humor en 'zang' het vaak volledig onderuit haalde. Zo te zien is dat met zn solo werk dan gefixed, want dit is gewoon een heel lekker en prettig jazz en rock album. Je kan het wel Frank! Meer van dit alsjeblieft!! FAVO: Willie the Pimp, Son of mr Green genes, The gumbo variations

If I had my way, I'd put it right at 2.5. This sounded like one long jam session. A lot of sounds just did not land on my ears well - a lot came off to me as "noise". Some parts were fine to have playing in the background, but this was not really my thing. I think I'll settle on 2 just cause I couldn't wait to be over with this album at the end.

Peaches in regalia is an instrumental thing of beauty. Playful yet royal. A classic track. Willie the pimp is totally different. A bluesy tune with fire vocals from captain beefheart. Son of Mr green genes is like an extention of track one. Beautiful melodies and textures but also awesome impro solos from zappa. Huge track. Little umbrellas is a very jazzy cool tune. One again, the textures are just stunning. The upright bass and woodwind. Yes. The Gumbo Variations is built out of lengthy improvised solos. A very funky drum bass foundation. Very groovy, and very long. But we are committed to the project so it's all a part of the journey. The violin solo is quit massive. It must be a camel. So now we can really see the structure of the album. A majestic arranged piece followed by an improvised lengthy one. And what a way to finish. It's a great great record. A one that benefits from the listening experience of the entire thing. It's a very strong 4.5.

weirdly intricate and funky

Wished he sang more ngl :3

Ground breaking

Fun, mostly instrumental. It takes you down winding paths. It's almost symphonic in its layering, but of course more with rock/fusion instrumentation and beats. Playing is fantastic.

красивая музыка про жизнь мальчика в гетто

4.0 stars Really like this one...more than I thought I would. I've heard about Zappa, the legend and the music, for years. I'm a big Phish fan, and FZ is spoken about as a diety in that scene. I can see why there's so much overlap. This album felt like an artsy, jamband session. It was fun, quirky, but a lot more accessible than what I envisioned Zappa's music being. maybe it's just this album that's like that. Favorite song: Son of Mr. Green Genes

Glad I listened to it - quite a ride but also a bit much to take in one session. Musically fanstastic.

I was in a bad mood and put off listening to this because at various points in my life I've had Zappa's music forced on me including the life stuff where he just plays mind numbingly long guitar solos and the I usually hate the vocals and lyrics on his long ass songs. However, this was all instrumental basically and I found it largely enjoyable background music that occasionally gripped me. The Gumbo Variations was interminably, gratingly long for no reason seemingly.

Shut up and play her guitar is the best advice Zappa ever took. None of the annoying unfunny comedy bits, just shredding, jazz rock riffs, prog compositions, studio wizardry and virtuoso performances. Sounds like mario music, like a demonic fire pit seance, like classic rock radio run through a kaleidoscope, like a hard bop acid trip, like a funky riverboat.

Peaches en regalia - Funky ahh, Zelda sounding track Willie the pimp - The funkiness lives on. Love when it goes krrrr, feel that in my soul. Son of Mr Green Genes - The timeline where Link got the triforce of funk. Navi feature @3:09 Little umbrellas - Ok, now we're in some sort of noir. Tell me your stories magic music man. The gumbo variations - Feels like being chased by a very passionate sax player. It must be a camel - A weird, experimental, great closure to one of the funkiest albums I've heard

Good instrumental album for atmosphere and vibe. Rate 8/10

Impressive instrumentals and very little vocals. Even more impressive considering Zappa performed, wrote, and produced it all. Not my favourite record by a long shot, but the skill is evident here.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I like how fun it is, although kind of annoying at times, the riffs are fun.

Surprisingly enjoyable and groovy

I fucking hate that fucking woman I think she’s gonna die in that HOUSE.

I would like to rate it higher. I like the idea of Frank Zappa. And this album is very appealing in select places for a few moments. And then it gets weird. It’s mostly weird.

it’s like i’m dating every guy i’ve ever dated.

5/10

Very eclectic. Really enjoyed.

First time actually listening to Frank Zappa, and just love it. Amazing solos!

It’s aight

Damn. I never really listened to him and I can finally see why he's known as a legend.

I dig the concept of what Zappa's doing, but it can be repetitive and kind of go nowhere for me.

A really cool instrumental album. I know nothing about Frank Zappa, other than he has a cool mustache, but its almost a little positively silly how the instruments evoke this mood of frolicking around, the energy on this album is great, I think i'd even say I'd be happy if i ever revisited this album. 9/10

Um grande clássico! Um som muito a frente de seu tempo, com grande personalidade. Instrumental com dinâmicas intensas, as músicas se complementam muito bem.

Ça pue le jazz aussi mais plus spicy et sur l'acide. Les ptites quotes ludiques exemple sur Sons of Mr. Green Genes, cest rigolo. La pièce Little Umbrellas part collée sur le jazz avec la contrebasse et le drum, puis ça part dans tous les sens. Comme guitariste, c'est plutôt un génie, il avait vraiment une voix sur son instrument. Le solo de Willie The Pimp de 7 minutes entre autre vaut une réécoute. The Gumbo Variations aussi, jam bluesy (ou "monster blues jam" selon le bouquin), le solo de violon est sale. Quote tirée du bouquin 1001A, qui capture bien la vibe : "The very idea! An instrumental album, except one vocal cut- and that had to feature Captain Beefheart!... Why are you wasting America's precious time with this, you asshole!" (Zappa en 1989)

Good cleaning music💯

Just full of energy

Tøffe gutters inngang til jazz? Dersom det er dette Terje Berg har vokst opp med skjønner jeg jo negativiteten....

full instrumental album didnt listen to whole thing, its ok but not really my thing

Zappa!! Love this era of Frank and his taking on jazz. Some great stuff here. This is definitely one of the high points in a discography full of high points.

It's a hot mess! There's clearly an abundance of talent but Frank really needed a mate to tell him to quality not quantity. Given he put out 3 albums in 1969, I'm of the belief that could have been one, and a mighty good one it could have been.

solid

Enjoyable listen; will return

This was far more bluesy and rocky than I had imagined and I really liked it. A nice surprise.

Outside of his novelty songs like "Valley Girl", Zappa's mostly unknown territory for me. I really dug the instrumentals on this album. Favorite song: "Son of Mr. Green Genes"

Pretty good. Just not sure i would seek it out.

Fastest 1 star I have ever 1 starred something

low key groovy I like this very funky mostly no words and I low key fw that .I really like listening to the gumbo variations , reminds me of something that would play in a feel-good movie scene and I mean although there is a lot going on it all kind of works together.There are some parts that sound like forks on a whiteboard and its only on the song that Is 12 minutes long. 3/6 songs added

Quite silly and funk but I want some of the the singing. If there was i would votr higher and add tk playlist ig

very instrumental very elevator not for me

Jazz isnt my thing at all but Zappa makes it my thing. I know this album of old but enjoyed it more this time. Not a 5 cos I didnt like the beginning of little umbrellas

Actual cool stoner-jazz-metal. I've been looking forward to getting some Zappa to properly check him out. It was fun and cool. So cool. So cool, in fact, I keep saying this is cool. I can't even find another word that fits. Funky and experimental. I want to get stoned now. It's banging. I'm not sure if it's truly a 5 to my tastes, but it's so cool that it's getting one.

A show of musicianship on all accounts. Peaches En Regalia is a masterpiece.

Really liked this album more than I thought I would. It is definitely a mood album, not for general listening. Great for summer. This is a 4

Fun sounds

Quite enjoyed this, but not enough for top marks

Not really as weird as I expected. Simpsons: Yes

After The Mothers of Invention I did not know what to expect here. I'd heard of Frank Zappa, I'd expected to really like Frank Zappa, then The Mothers of Invention made me question that. This albums made me do a 180, bloody phenomonal! I need more Zappa in my life

A really great listen whilst getting ready for the work day ahead - matched my Friday mood perfectly. Super fun, funky, incredibly interesting and engaging.

Wish I listened to this back when I still did drugs. Willie the Pimp drops this album down by a full point. I like this more then the other loose structured albums.

One of Frank Zappa's first solo releases beyond the confines of the Mothers of Invention, his first foray into jammy jazz-rock, and the first ever album to be recorded on a 16-track, this is a real tasty slab of mostly-instrumental jams. From the ripping guitar solo (and Captain Beefheart vocal feature) of Willie the Pimp to the delightful jazziness of Little Umbrellas and It Must Be a Camel, this album's got delights all throughout, and its 16 tracks of audio make it sound far, far ahead of its time. Easily recommended for any fan of jammed-out rock music!

This is an interesting one. Other than Captain Beefheart ruining the first minute or so of Willie the Pimp, it was pretty much all instrumentals. Some cool jazzy vibes intertwined with lengthy rock solos. On paper, that is right up my alley. It wasn’t my favorite thing in the world. Felt super disjointed at times with various musicians doing their thang but maybe for too long? I was surprised a the length of some songs, though that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Idk. It’s above average as far as albums we’ve been subjected to on this list. Maybe a 3.5 rounded up to a 4.

Oh my god!!! To borrow an expression from a reviewer on Tubular Bells, this is longform instrumental wankery at its purest -- which I'm learning is exactly right up my alley. I'm willing to forgive Zappa completely for whatever Freak Out! was, because this is nothing but awesome jazz fusion heat. VERY strong 4 that might turn into a 5 with a bit of simmerin' Shoutout to rats 🐀 Standouts: Peaches En Regalia • Willie The Pimp • The Gumbo Variations

VERY strong 4, I just feel that it gets a little unfocused. However, this has made me really interested in Frank Zappa and very interested to enjoy more of his music in the future.

I just couldn’t get into it. It’s probably more fun to play than listen to.

I enjoyed this. The music was well done.

Crazy funky energetic jazz

Zappa is a musical genius, hands down on one my favorites. Keep an open mind and put on your headphones and truly listen.

Love a short album. In another world Frank Zappa plays dr. frankenfuter in rocky horror

Oh bro can shred like this ???

Ahead of its time. Very influential and unique listen. 8/10 [KEEP]

a 2

It's difficult for me to hand out too many 1-star reviews. Most times if I don't like something, I admit that it's likely just not for me and give it 2 stars. But I struggle to find any merit in this album. Why anyone would listen to this, then feel the need to ever go back to it is beyond me.

I enjoyed this quite a lot. Really out there stuff in a good way.

Tried and didn’t like it

Didn't hate it! Was perfectly fine to work to.

Lots of great improvisation, some a little too chaotic in places

this is my fave Zappa album, I love this era of freak jazz

I do like jazz.

Energetic, groovy, hypnotic. Messy yet sophisticated, as the instruments are so well arranged together forming a fusion between genres.

Actually enjoyable Frank Zappa! All the smirking, pointless showboating I usually associate with Zappa is dialled down a lot, though not fully. Pretty groovy rhythm section and a about half the tunes are enjoyable. Would've been better with almost all the guitar removed.

You like jazz

it’s weird but that’s what makes it so charming and groovy

Funky fun and very Zappa.

exactly what i needed to work with. i will never listen again

Peaches En Regalia is one of the fuckiest pieces of music ever written This is one of the most known FZ album. There's 3 Zappa/Mothers albums in this list. If I had my will, I'd add 57 more. Most importantly: Absolutely Free, Roxy & Elsewhere, One Size Fits All, Zappa In New York, Sheik Yerbouti, Joe's Garage Act I, Joe's Garage Acts II & III, You Are What You Is 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

Psychedelic goodness, the first Zappa I've really liked.

First experience with Zappa. Wasn’t disappointed.

Unfortunately not my style

Clássico absoluto. A mistura de Jazz e Rock que melhor funcionou na história da música. Composições inspiradas e arranjos magistrais. Uma obra-prima.

Stone cold classic. By turns anthemic, twisty, gritty, and squonky, the tracks on this album combine to create a demanding experience that rewards close listening and suspension of disbelief. Probably my favorite Zappa album alongside Apostrophe', though I haven't heard anywhere close to all of them. It checks a lot of boxes for me, and was formative in my music listening history. It's a solid 4.5 from me.

I liked this album, completely different than what I’d listen to. Kinda like a rock but also jazz? If you like just instrumentals, then this album is for you

All instrumentals but solid

Had never heard before, enjoyed the first track, Peaches en Regalia, as well as Little Umbrellas, which had a very Barney mille/WKRP vibe lol.

Previously unknown. I did not dislike this as much as I thought I would.

gente isso nao é um album isso é um ep com 6 musicas MAS COMO TEM 6 MUSICAS E 43 MINUTOS MEU DEUSSSSS FAVS (top 3): peaches en regalia, willie the pimp, little unbrellas mençoes honrosas: - compraria o vinil: NAO literalmente dormi ouvindo. mas é um instrumental bom mas sla nota final: 2.5/5

I liked the overall feel of this album. All of the songs kind of blended together but I enjoyed it. Great album for relaxing in the summer

Kind of boring to me. Pleasant to listen to, nothing groundbreaking

It was an interesting album to listen to. There were lots of different styles of music.

cool

Favourites: 1. Peaches En Regalia Least Favourite: Little Umbrellas

Wonky and honky and skronky and pretty fun

Jazz is my least favourite genre and unfortunately this album didn’t do much to change my mind.

1. Peaches en Regalia (9/10) 2. Willie the Pimp (8.5/10) 3. Son of Mr. Green Genes (8/10) 4. Little Umbrellas (8/10) 5. The Gumbo Variations (6/10) 6. It Must Be a Camel (8.5/10)

More musical than satire.

I wish we could give more detailed scores. Because I'd like to give this album a 4.5.

Rock and jazz had a baby

Meh. Setter pris på eksperimenteringen, men ble slitsomt i lengden.

Ganske nice, fulgte litt dårlig med mens jeg jobbet men tror jeg kommer sjekke det ut igjen

Veit ikkje om det var dagsforma mi eller ikkje, men tykte dette starta bra for å så bli grueleg slitsamt å høyre på. Mogleg eg skal gi det ei ny sjanse seinare.

Dette er kult som et album, veldig ålreit lytt.

Fire

I didn't really connect with this album. I can respect it, but not anything I would reach for again.

Coherent and interesting

Enjoyable backround music. 😁

It's good

A bit too jazzy for me though some good bits. The first track was the best

Adventurous but not obnoxious prog, proper class