Reviews (page 4 of 14)
zzzzzzzz, canta horrendo los dos segundos que salió. Y sí es buena base pero hola? Okay es claramente un álbum para usar de música de fondo lo comprendo, entrenido cmo después de la 3era canción. Dios qué es esto, es como CAMP, interesante pero RARO. Es que no puede durar 12 minutos es fastidiosoo ajajja. Mejor el instrumental del video de los europeos en vacaciones, un tre por los instrumentos que me imagino el tipo es multi instrumentalista y la cabra...me salió Peaches en Rgealia en spotify DJ y...me gustó porque estoy en otro mood. 3
Was dreading the Zapster (I’m not on as many layers of irony as him) but this was ok. Nothing special. Background music
I was hesitant on this one going in, mainly because Frank Zappa always kind of struck me as a novelty act, weird for the sake of being weird. Or, as a pidcaster I enjoy put it, seeming like a guy who's never done drugs making music for drug users. I did have a lingering confusion about all the guitar guys claiming Zappa was some next-level musical genius. Well, this album is it. I get it now. Turns out I'm just not a fan of Zappa singing or speaking on his songs, and there's blessedly little of that on this record. "Hot Rats" has more in common with that version of Zappa as it does with the numeroys jazz albums this list has me listening to. Except on those albums I knew what I was getting pretty much right off the bat, for better or worse, whereas this one continually surprised me, and, importantly, continually entertained me.
Finally. I always thought there was something I was missing about Zappa. It seemed like I should be into him, but everyone I heard was a bit cheesy. The secret ingredient is him keeping his mouth shut
it was quite good actually
(91/100)
Put on the first track and immediately recognized it, along with all the melodies and changes. Growing up, a buddy let me borrow a Zappa compilation and this had to be where I know it from. The whole album jams, especially the first track. 3.6/5.0
Getting this the day after Quicksilver Messenger Service from the same year is not exactly exciting. The vibes are very similar. That being said, I definitely prefer this. I don't always get Zappa. The tongue in cheek humor feels like it's aged out of the music to me. But there are a few bangers on here, and since it's almost entirely instrumental there's not much humor anyway. "Willie the Pimp" has a pretty killer 6 minutes of guitar noodling with really fun drum fills throughout. Highlight of the album for sure. Could have done with fewer little twinkles on other songs. Overall, manages to not overstay it's welcome. Pretty much nothing from the 60's makes it into my regular rotation, but I had a decent time with this. Pretty strong 3.5 stars. Probably round up because I'm in a good mood. Nice production for the era too. After this I really hope for something modern and scream-ey though.
There were songs I enjoyed and songs that I enjoyed a little less, but it was certainly interesting! I've never heard of Frank Zappa, so it was a fun surprise to get this jazz album.
Great
Meh. Some good stuff here like Willie the Pimp; kinda of a psychedelic jam ride mixing genres with lots of different instruments. Endless guitar solos.
Throwback to jazz band, essentially just improv. Favourite track: Umbrellas
Why does Frank Zappa sound like This but Mothers of Invention sounds like That
Headache fuel
funny, weird guy i liked it
Yeah, I think this is not really my vibe. I do admit that this is not similar to anything that I have listened to before. I'm not a big fan of the vocals. very experimental sound. The fact that it was created in the '70s is crazy; I would think it was from the '90s. My favorite parts were the guitar riffs. Tbh, the only parts that were making it nice. I don't really think that I'm going to listen to it again. Also, this was my first experience with Zappa. The last 3 songs are the most annoying songs that I've heard. I think to get through that you would have to be completely high on drugs. They are sooooo overstimulating. At some point it feels like you are listening to an 8-year-old experimenting with music.
Not for me, kinda sounds like clown music.
this fucks
300 up! This was a decent way to mark the occasion. Musically very good, my prog standards it wasn’t too overblown or decadent. Yet it somehow does still wander into the usual territory of several minute wigouts that don’t stick long in the memory.
Zappa is a hell of a guitarist. I bet seeing him live in 69 was something else. I feel like this is best seen alive as opposed to spun in your living room via album 55 years later. It would be a 5 star if I was in concert I bet.
this was fun and crazy!!
I wasn't familiar with this artist, but the album was a 100% success. The sound is very reminiscent of Deep Purple. However, this album focuses on the instrumentation, and the sound is fresher. The guitar part is more diverse, with constant guitar passages and a developing melody. However, the overall sound of the instruments is similar to Deep Purple, including the organ and drum parts. The use of wind instruments and double bass as a bass line is highlighted, particularly in the song Little Umbrellas. In general, this is a more jazz-influenced version of Deep Purple.
Jazz fusion, blues rock, instrumental rock.
Nice album, Zappa at his finnest :D
A wild run through the genius mind of Frank Zappa.
Little bit of this, little bit of that ahh music. Just felt like a random jumble of music, like just default music mashed together thoughtlessly. I was prepared to give this album 2 stars as I thought it’s a bit whatever but it’s not like bad until I heard the saxophone solos on ‘The Gumbo variations’ which was then followed by about 8 mins of quite an ear-splitting violin or guitar? The thing is I know there is going to be some gimp on here saying that “oh this album is a masterpiece”, nah it’s not, just shut uppp and pack it in you slug eating, pretentious, pompous freak. I like a good bit of jazz, but this did not sound good to me, I just don’t get why this album is on the list, some of it was alright and he’s doing his thing or whatever but just isn’t for me, anyway it’s a 1 star from me.
Not for me.
Very pleasantly surprised by this
Instrumentals are cool. Really decent background music.
What a great album! Absolutely loved it!
Peaches En Regalia is fun track.
Love this album. 4 - 4.5 stars
Great pioneer of experimental music
cool, heard it before
Good percussion, riffs, compositional ideas, the voice is excellent with the style. After several listens it may seem tiring to the ear because of its excessive instrumentals resembling an endless suite, although they all seemed to tell a story despite not having lyrics
An incredibly creative album, I enjoyed listening to this SO much!! Loved the jazz and the mix of the songs together. First time Ive given an album 5 stars without the dopamine hit cos this is simply... fascinating to me
Kind of interesting but too meandering and experimental for me. The band is pretty tight, especially the drummer. I would be interested to hear them play more straight ahead jazz, rock or blues. Maybe spend a little more time developing melodies during their improvisations…
5/5 no notes whacky lyrics, long ass solos, what's not to love?
i hated this
I lik the guitar but that’s about it.
Rinsed this album from 2022 onwards - play ‘Peaches En Regalia’ at work as much as possible it’s PERFECT, the best Frank Zappa album other than Apostrophe, such a great opener to what can be one of the biggest deep dives for 20th century music I can think of, beautiful stuff.
Just like a hot rat its 3 stars from me.
FUCK this rips so hard. An insanely good time it put me in such a good mood
Pas trop trop ma vibe en ce moment mais je capte la vibe. Je pense que je pourrais kiffer à un autre moment dans ma vie
Det her e ikke for mæ, 3 kvarter med div runk. Når først nåkka blir nice forsvinn det fort inn i en ny runk. Frank Zappa e en gooner.
Det meste er fordømt kult, men det er partier her og der som er ganske intetsigende.
Herlig
Har alltid holdt Zappa på en armlengdes avstand. Men denne var jo dritfet!
Sykt kult.
Hørt på solsenga på Granka. Kul, men litt mange veldig lange soloer, måtte spole etter 8 min med gumbo variations.
Ganske trivelig og kult, men det blir fort for mange endeløse soloer også.
This must have been insane to release in the 70's, unique composition and fun vocal uses throughout.
its nice background music fav song: The Gumbo Variations
I quite enjoyed this. The guitar work and the collaboration of the different instruments was fantastic. Enjoyed every single song and loved the jazzy feel to it. Standout song was The Gumbo Variations. 4 stars
First side is very good then it drops off
First track is really fantastic, I admire the rest but it's a big drop off
Lordy
I enjoyed it
Peaches en regalia - 4 Willie the pimp - 4 Son of mr green genes - 4 Little umbrellas - 3 The gumbo variations - 3 It must be a camel - 3
this was fun for a monday, cool, funky
I don’t know anything about Zappa; I just have this notion in my head of some strange dude doing some strange music. Which may usually be the case. This was an interesting fusion of jazz and rock. It’s a bit chaotic and off kilter, but that’s ok, I was expecting that from him. It was definitely more accessible than I thought it would be. And I was pleasantly surprised there were vocals on only one song. This 3 would be a 2 or less if there were more.
An extremely enjoyable listen despite being mostly instrumental. This was my first pass at Frank Zappa and I was pleased with the songs. His use of a variety of instruments made this collection more entertaining and the beats were captivating on every track.
What do you do with a jam band that can’t write a cohesive song? Just noodle around on your guitars for an unfocused hour or so, I guess.
Happy to see Zappa on this list. I've gotta be in the right mood, but I do enjoy a dose of his insanity every now and then. One thing Zappa is not, is boring. I enjoy this album, but I really wish they went a different way. If you care to look up the user albums list you'll see the right one and I highly recommend you give it a listen. Just as, if not more, approachable, Apostrophe, showcases Zappa's personality and wit in addition to his music. And you get to hear his actual voice, that is not him on Willie the Pimp. Zappa is organized chaos. His music is not as freeform and jam session as it may appear. Zappa diligently composed each of his songs, yet you still get the personality of the musician within the piece and his songs have groove for days. Over and under the chaos there is a groove that only Zappa can pull off. All that said, if not in the right mood/frame of mind he gives me a headache, literally. I really do need to be in a Zappa mood to throw on one of his records. Except Apostrophe (yes another plug) I can listen to that any day and enjoy. Arguably is most "pop" album and the diehards may scoff at it, but whatever, it's a no skip album that brings Zappa to the masses. Anyway, Hot Rats is a great album. Peaches En Regalia sounds like a cop show theme song, with the lead villain's, Willie the Pimp, theme immediately following on the next track. However, Gumbo Variations steals the show on this album, sax on crack with insane drums and bass keeping right up. amazing stuff.
Melt your face off guitar instrumentals. I loved it.
Jazzic
Lyrics are what i appreciate most in music, sadly there was very limited of this here. I felt as though the songs all overstayed their welcome a bit... 12 minutes, while not the longest song ever is a bit mad for an instrumental. Still I can appreciate how good the instruments and playing is so it is rated high. Also not usually a jazz man but this did get me grooving occasionally. I will listen further into Zappa
My first Frank Zappa experience. Enjoyed it, having no idea what it would ultimately sound like. Definitely a jammy progressive rock sound to it, which is my vibe. I'd rate it higher, but the last two songs were just too fappy loco for my tastes. 4 stars.
wild ride
After the previous Frank Zappa records, I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this. I think the key is that it was mostly instrumental - the most off-putting parts of the other Zappa records was always the lyrics and vocals
I have not heard Frank Zappa before. I was assuming I wouldn't like it based on "experimental" and "jazz" near each other. I don't seem to have a problem with jazz-rock as long as the jazz influence is the instrument choice and not the improvisation. So this album started out much better than I was expecting- guitar solos with jazz instruments backing it. It's great. The more jazz improv type music on the second half is fine. I'm ok listening to it, but it's background music. Overall, better than I was expecting.
empezó muy cool, si tenía sus vibras bacanas, bien, temas muy muy largos
This is classified as Rock but definitely more Jazz. Great sound.
Nice listen. Favourite track is definitely Little Umbrellas. It sounds very middle eastern to me, I genuinely don't know why though. 3.75/5
My first Zappa album. I had fun with it. Guitar jams and jazz aren’t my usual, but I’d be open to listening to more Zappa. 4/5
Filed under I certainly respect and I recognize the talent and craft involved but don’t have the patience for it. Peaches in Regalia is excellent. Willie the Pimp is great until you’re four and a half minutes in and He’s Still Going at that solo for another four. The Gumbo Variations desperately needed to End. Not the audience on this one.
3,5
it's pretty fun background music. not my favorite but not bad at all. peaches in regalia and little umbrellas were my favorites
I dig this. Not normally an instrumental fan, but this kept me on my toes and was so fun.
The world needs more Zappa. I need to listen to more.
Its one of the best albums of all time. And its almost everything im not into. But it easily gets over that hurdle for me. Its wildly creative and fun. It zigs and zags all over the place but it always works. Its damn near a perfect record. Do yourself a favor and give it a spin. Easiest 5 of my life
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!!!!!!! fun as hell 🐀/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