Maggot Brain

The lead track was a great start with the guitar, but after that it was just monotonous and boring old funk music from the 70s. George Clinton was a man who could make good music and he is credited with many hits, but this album was just meh to me. I gave it a solid 4/10 and it fell out with 2 stars.

Goddamn masterpiece right here. Play it loud y'all. Super Stupid is one of the best damn riffs ever laid down and the rest of the album is also epic.

2nd Funkadelic album in 3 days. This one was just silly; musically, that is.

The first three songs on this album are a generational run. Just an absolute masterclass of funk & psychedelic rock on display. George Clinton never misses!!! Genre-defying and straight up wonderful. I don't know what else to say about this album except that it totally rocks & I'm so glad this challenge led me to finally listen to it all the way through after loving the first two tracks for many years. Sure, the last song is weird as fuck, but that didn't wreck my rating at all. 4.5/5 rounded up Favorite tracks: Maggot Brain, Can You Get To That, Super Stupid

Funky stuff as you’d expect!

Liked the vibes on the first few tracks, good walking music. Not sure I’d be productive during vibing though.

I can't decide whether it's brave or foolhardy or both to make an album that will inevitably be unfavorably compared to Hendrix - at any point, much less in 1971. But yeah, this feels like an attempt to remake *Electric Ladyland*, including the stuff *Electric Ladyland* does less well; the lyrics are all over the place (both thematically and in terms of quality), and the music is similarly wide-ranging to the point of lacking focus at times. But you can hear why this band has been so thoroughly mined for samples over the years - the best bits are always absolutely amazing, from Eddie Hazel's guitar on the title track to Tiki Fulwood's fearsome drums on the closer "Wars of Armageddon." And although the bad lyrics are downright Zappaesque (not a compliment) there are more good ones - "Super Stupid" is funny as hell, and apparently a true story to boot. George Clinton's boys will never be the Experience but they're not bad at being themselves.

More of a 3½ than a 4 but I want to remind myself to return to it. I'd forgotten that it has some slower tempo stuff and quite a different feel to Parliament.

Sorti en plein été 1971 chez Westbound, Maggot Brain, le troisième album de la bande à George Clinton qui jouit depuis des décennies d’un statut quasi religieux dans la pop culture, trône fièrement dans la bible des « 1001 albums à écouter avant de mourir ». Un album à écouter au moins une fois ? Oui, sans conteste. Un album à porter aux nues comme un chef-d’œuvre absolu d’un bout à l’autre du microsillon ? Non, faut pas déconner non plus car cet album appartient à la catégorie peu envieuse des disques qui crament tout en quelques minutes et qui ensuite vous regardent pendant trente minutes en attendant que ça se passe. Comme ça mérite une petite explication, commençons par l'éléphant au milieu de la pièce, parce qu’il est impossible de faire semblant : le morceau-titre qui ouvre la face A est un miracle, une déflagration pure. La légende est connue de tous les diggers de la planète : Clinton aurait chopé son jeune guitariste surdoué Eddie Hazel, alors perché sur un trip d'acide colossal, pour lui balancer une consigne de mise en scène digne des pires psychodrames : « Joue comme si tu venais d'apprendre que ta mère est morte, puis joue comme si tu découvrais qu'elle est toujours vivante. » Ce qui sort des dix minutes suivantes dépasse l'entendement, un solo étiré sur une mer de delay, de wah-wah saturée et d’arpèges acoustiques fantomatiques joués en sourdine. Clinton a eu le génie de couper presque tous les autres instruments au mixage pour ne laisser que cette plainte funèbre, déchirante, hallucinatoire, qui hurle la misère du ghetto, les ravages de l'héroïne et la désillusion post-soixante-huitarde. À lui seul, ce morceau pulvérise les frontières entre le blues, le rock psychédélique et la soul cosmique. C’est le genre de sommet émotionnel qui vous cloue sur votre fauteuil, le regard vide, persuadé d'assister à l'enterrement du rêve américain en direct. Mais le drame, n'est pas l'enterrement du rêve américain mais plutôt ce qui arrive juste après, car une fois redescendu de cette stratosphère où Hazel a dialogué avec les fantômes de Jimi Hendrix, il faut bien continuer la suite de l'album. Et là, l'atterrissage n'est pas simplement brutal, il est tout simplement grotesque car Funkadelic enchaîne avec ce qui ressemble furieusement à une suite de jams de studio sympathiques mais bordéliques, de délires potaches enfumés et de redondances qui finissent par patiner sérieusement dans la semoule. Et malgré que le collectif soit bourré de talent avec sa section rythmique plombée, ses claviers barrés et ses chœurs gospel déviants, le propos s’éparpille dans tous les sens, comme si l'énergie cosmique du début s'était dissoute dans la moquette du studio. On passe d’une créativité volcanique à un disque de potes défoncés qui oublient qu'un auditeur sobre est censé écouter leur bordel de l'autre côté du haut-parleur. Même la tentative d’expérimentation percussive et de collage sonore qui tente de secouer la fin de parcours sent le remplissage d’urgence pour gratter quelques minutes sur la bande magnétique. Heureusement, tout n'est pas à jeter car sur le plan visuel, la pochette reste l'un des artefacts les plus fascinants de son époque. Cette tête de femme hurlante, plantée dans la terre jusqu'au cou, cheveux afro au vent au milieu d'un champ stérile, frappe l'imaginaire avec une violence rare. Elle résume parfaitement la tension de ce disque : une angoisse existentielle viscérale, une urgence politique étouffée par le cauchemar de la réalité urbaine des Seventies. Mais une pochette géniale et une intro légendaire ne font pas à elles seules un chef-d'œuvre intégral. Au bout du compte, Maggot Brain est l'exemple parfait du grand album accidentel, porté par un chef-d’œuvre inaugural tellement écrasant qu’il condamne tout ce qui suit à la pâleur. Si vous ne l'avez jamais écouté, vous devez impérativement vous prendre la claque monumentale du solo d'Eddie Hazel dans les oreilles au moins une fois dans votre vie. Mais si l'on juge l'objet dans sa globalité, sans complaisance ni nostalgie béate, la sentence est limpide : c'est une œuvre déséquilibrée qui s'essouffle bien trop vite et tourne en rond sur elle-même. Un très beau moment d'histoire, un solo d'anthologie, mais un disque moyen sur la longueur.

I really like this funky groove psych stuff!

Didn't get a chance to finish the whole album, but enjoyed what I heard. Interesting how the vocals were often in the background while the bass was so prominent.

4.5 stars. Great funk, high energy. Lots of great and weird hits, last song kind of drags and keeps from being perfect

Some great moments but feels.like more of a statement than a musical experience. Worth a listen but doesn't stand up to repeated listens. Unless you were on the same LSD.

Eddie Hazel's guitar is something else. The searing soloing on 'Maggot Brain's is pure emotion and I have never heard that song, or his playing, gets it's due outside of a conversation about Funkadelic. The rest of the album sounds more what I would expect, loose riotous, celebration of life and while it sounds like that, the duality within the record is much darker. Everything about the record is so much darker. There is death, despair and destruction everywhere and - be in relationships, class, pollution - everything is fucked.

The guitar work is otherworldly. The musicianship in general is off the charts. For casual listening, though, I much prefer Parliament. Wars of Armageddon is the standout track for me, but not the type of thing I add to my liked list.

Wow, there is some blazing hot guitar playing on this album! I was really surprised by the title track being a 10-minute guitar solo, and more surprised that it kept my interest the whole time. I assumed it was going to sound more like Parliament but this rules.

A loud epic album that is at the pinnacle of psychedelic rock, and which is equally as loud and funky as it is brainy and masterful. All of this lies in the guitar work, which is of the highest level. 9/10 [KEEP]

A historic record, setting the definition of funk itself.

it's certainly funky, it's certainly kinda dark and whatever is going on with the boinger on back in our minds 💥can you get to that 💥super stupid

Can You Get to That and on are super listenable tracks

Classic! Title track is an all-timer obviously, "Can You Get to That" is one of the best good-vibe songs ever. "Hit It and Quit It" rocks so hard, so tight yet leaves so much space. "You And Your Folks" has one of the nastiest lowends in rock. "Super Stupid" sounds like proto Black Sabbath. "Back in Our minds" is a bit slight, a bit obnoxious (which all of this album is) in more of an annoying way. The final track sounds like it could be off of Tago Mago until the like. Fart sounds lol. It's deliberately not perfect but I kinda doubt Funkadelic would've had it any other way.

Great groove, bluesy distorted riffs some heavy bass. Chaotic at times but you get the feeling this was a very fun project to record, like sampled cuckoo clocks jet fly overs, helicopters and fart noises toward the end. Over all great record with a good amount of experimentation to boot.

Album title and artist name didn't really match. Not a fan. The funk elements seem blended with older rock. "Can you Get to That" is the only song I knew, then it felt like the album went downhill from that. Too many solos, all felt a bit pointless and didn't emphasise anything.

A funk psychedelic classic with a great album cover.

Dope

They sure weren’t afraid to explore the space of the songs. But with something like Can You Get to That on it, the album has a lot of redeeming qualities

70s Funk. Hard not to hear David Gilmore in the title track.

Интересный авангардно-экпериментальный фанк. Не раз видел абложку в рекомендациях. Надо будет еще раз вернуться.

Maggot brain - 3 Can you get to that - 4 Hit it and quit it - 4 You and your folks, me and my folks - 4 Super stupid - 4 Back in our minds - 3 Wars of armageddon - 3

weird

Didn’t enjoy this one as much as the last Funkadelic album

Vraiment bon!

It's a vibe album

Finalmente um bom álbum depois de tanta porcaria. Baita álbum, referência em música soul, sempre presente em listas referentes. Estava ansioso pra que chegasse e eu gostei bastante!

Insane album. Goes absolutely crazy

Really good funk. Even compelled to save a bit to it. Not what I expected, meaning not as much vocals, more display of talents with instruments. Unrelated to score, the cover has always creeped me out

Ok

What a trip of an album. From the voice-over and guitar freakout of the opening title track, to the all-time great song "Can You Get to That," to the funk workouts of "Hit It and Quit It" and "You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks," to the epic apocalyptic closer "Wars of Armageddon"....wow. It's crazy good. Some serious players on here too including Bernie Worrell and George Clinton but the whole band is fantastic. Glad to be hearing this album for the first time and I can hear its influence on later acts like Living Colour and Fishbone.

Funkadelic seriously lives up to their name on this one, a funky psychedelic masterpiece. Eddie Hazel plays the guitar like he's transcended to the astral plane. Also feels like a reclaiming of the black roots of rock and roll, at a time when pasty english guys like Clapton were the face of the genre. So weird, so funky, absolutely love this one

Probably would be more like a 3.5. Not what I would usually listen to but very well executed and I think it has a lot of soul. Had only listened to the “Standing on the verge…”album before and I had liked it. This feels slightly different while still remaining true to the band’s DNA. Really like it.

Bro. Why is there screaming and babies? I don’t understand this album at all.

Maggot Brain: un solo de guitarra eléctrica de 10 minutos, cool Can you Get To That: old song vibes, more acoustic, saved Hit It And Quit It: liked it, very funky You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks: again very funky and crazy, liked it Super Stupid: rock antiguo, I liked it Back In Our Minds: interesting start, hay elementos de soul cools, liked it too Wars of Armageddon: interesante de escoitar, pero non a escoitaria por gusto.

holy shit, more funkadelic! funkadelic was the first band i ever listened to on this album journey, so it feels like an old, distant friend coming back to greet me. the band's third album, this psychedelic and afrofuturistic collection of tunes were the final tracks recorded by many members of the original band's lineup. the most famous part of the album is the title track, which is essentially a 10-minute guitar solo from eddie hazel, who was literally told to play as if he'd just learned that his mother died. like with a lot of albums on this list, initial critic reviews weren't so nice, but nowadays a lot of people appreciate just how engaging and how intense the album is. this album is bonkers in the best way. funkadelic really takes their time with each track here... i think i mentioned that in my first ever review, i talked about how much fun they must've had working on all of this... is this album fun? maybe in a different sort of way, that other album as well as other funky albums are chill and groovy, this one feels a little ominous and dramatic. if not a dystopia, then a massive, crumbling city with big towers, the band members on a center platform as the concrete jungle around them explodes and crumbles in a very played-out fashion. it's absolutely mad music and i really loved sitting through it.

This one was hard for me to stomach, at least the first and the final track. Most of the meat of the album was alright, but not really something I typically enjoy. The final song having genuine and literal farting on it made me so mad for a short period of time that I was sincerely just giving it a zero for the sheer disrespect of it, but I gathered myself and tried to see it as an artistic statement, but I cant help but feel that I was being fucked with.

I was actually having a descent time with this album, up until the end of “Wars of Armageddon” where someone decided it would be a good idea to insert a minute of fart noises. Unfortunately, that put me off so much that, even though the rest of this album was pretty decent music, I can’t bring myself to rate it that high. 2/5 ⭐️ 285/1081

Not bad but certainly a little overhyped.

I remember I tried getting into this album a couple years ago when I was really getting into Childish Gambino, I had heard that the "Awaken, My Love!" cover was really inspired by this album and so I wanted to check it out cause I just wanted to engage with that one on as many levels as I could. And at the time I didn't really like it, but on relisten I really don't get why. The first track, which at the time I thought meandered a little, is really a spectacular mood piece and is obviously wildly impressive. The subsequent songs are all really fun and well put together, and it's just an absolute joy to listen through. The only reason I can imagine not liking this is because of Wars of Armageddon, but honestly I think that's kinda what the inside of their heads sounds like. And even though it's a little silly, I think it's a pretty interesting culmination of the sound that the album was going for. Just the pinnacle of funk. Favorites: Maggot Brain, Hit It and Quit It, You and Your Folks Me and My Folks

It was a fairly good fusion of rock and funk, especially the title track at the start of the album. It definitely had moments were it sounded weird lyrically and musically though.

Loved the psych influence here. Wasn't what I was expecting, I'm used to a more heavy and upfront funk sound from Clinton. Apparently Clinton likened Super Stupid to a Black Sabbath track. It sounded way more like Led Zeppelin and specifically John Bonham to me.

ahh HAA!!!! wow this is from 71 - sounds like they heard floyd and were like, hmmm .. this album is super cool - it was surely a breeding ground for who knows how many - you can hear loads of samples (hence the initial ahh haaa!!) throughout too yum 3.5

Like New Orleans…tons of bright colors, spicy flavors, vibrant sounds, and constant action.

Well someone was certainly having a good time in the studio now weren't they? If you are in the right head space (I was) there is nothing quite like it. Give yourself over and let you mind melt.

sexy and weird

I feel that most bands, if they started an album with one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded, would usually call it there. But Funkadelic manage to append 6 nearly perfect funk songs to it. Maggot Brain is truly a sight to behold, and probably one of the greatest albums ever. In a nutshell, Funkadelic 's sound is kind of a combination of psychedelic proto metal, and funk. And their marriage of these worlds is completely seamless and utterly their own: their albums populated with soul arrangements and demented guitar rock in equal measures. Maggot Brain is probably their magnum opus. As I mentioned, it helps that we start with one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded. Legend has it that George Clinton asked Eddie Hazel to play the guitar like he just learned his mother died: and then he did, for 10 uninterrupted minutes. The title track of Maggot Brain (the one I've been talking about) feels like you're grieving on acid. The world's most mournful guitar is reflected into itself repeatedly, and devours the mix whole. It's a feat which must be admired from a safe distance, lest the song dissolves you. It may be even more amazing that the rest of the album can live up to this song. But Funkadelic's hard edged, metal tinged funk is a force all it's own. Can You Get To That has some folks instruments, but it's purse funk in pulse. Hit It And Quit It Just Sounds cool as hell. You And Your Folks, Me And My Folks is one of the hardest funk grooves ever recorded. Super Stupid is propelled by just an absurdly good, nearly Sabbathian early metal riff. And Back In Our Minds brings another deeply psychedelic moment to the album. And all these songs feature incredible arrangements, powerful singing, and thought provoking, class conscious lyrics. Then we end with War Of Armageddon, which, true to it's name is 10 minutes of cowbell powered apocalypse funk, complete with strange skits and field samples. And all these songs are basically perfect. This one is like a 10+, this thing can barely be reckoned with.

Maaaan dem some good drugs!

Would be 5 gold if it wasn’t for the slightly drawn out instrumental parts.. but very hard to be mad at anything else. 5 stars all day

I think in a world where I do acid trips on a semi regular basis, this is a 100/10 album. Alas, I am sober and packing for a trip to Miami and so this album is great but v out there. A fun, psychedelic, trip to outer space Favorites: Can you get to that, Super Stupid

Too jammy, but nice tracks here and there.

The last track was a bit of a waste but the opener was AWESOME. Much cooler than I expected.

Was fine

Super tight and well-constructed, pristine sounding, maybe the GOAT album cover

funky and interesting, until last song with fart noises took me out

psicodélico pero con grandes melodías y mezclas de sonidos muy experimentales que quedan hermoso.

A perfect album. Prescient, groundbreaking, immaculate.

7/10 Gets a bonus mark because despite of the odd unlistenable track, Funkadelic are great and I only scored their other album a 3

weird diversion from what I usually think of as Funkadelic.

I wasn't expecting an extended jam with fart/loose bowel noises but they gave it to me here. Um....thanks? This was OK and maybe something I might have enjoyed more back in the day but there's nothing here that would make me give it another listen.

interesting rhythms

What a tremendous start with the guitar solo track Maggot Brain, totally face melting and a brave start to an album. It made my expecations high to receive more of that, however the rest of the album is as funkadelic as it promises and it falls flat IMO.

I never realized how much more psychedelic funkadelic is compared to Parliament. Glad I got a chance to spend some time with it

this album has an incredible vibe. the songs flow really well with each other, the themes are executed in a cool way, the guitar work is impeccable and the rhythm section holds it down. my single complaint is the fart noises towards the end of wars of armageddon, that took me out of the song a little lol. overall a 9.5/10.

"Maggot Brain" is the first funk album I've ever listened to (unless you count Talking Heads), and man was I missing out. This album is incredible! The layering is perfect, referring to both the instruments and the vocals. The songs are catchy and groovy. I love the way they blend psychedelic rock in there, and even a bit of hard rock. The only thing I don't like is that the title track and "Wars of Armageddon" are a little long for my liking. But I am a Pink Floyd fan, and the title track sounds a lot like an interlude they would've written, so I'd imagine it's an acquired taste. I don't like the fart sounds on "Wars of Armageddon," though. Once again I don't have much to say other than: this is a great album. ----- #0017 Heard on: 5 Oct. 2026 Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (59 / 337) Favorite track: Hit It and Quit It Least favorite track: Maggot Brain

Only Funkadelic could make an album with literal fart sound effects in it and still have me give it a 4.

Possibly one of the most, if not the most, famous funk albums of all time. While I do enjoy it, I'm not specially crazy about it. The album starts with "Maggot Brain", an epic ten minutes song that is unexpectedly slow and sad. Whereas it is very passionate and the arpeggio sounds beautiful, I don't really see the need for it to be so long, specially when there is nothing more than the electric guitar doing its solos and the melody playing behind. Fortunately, from "Can You Get To That" to "Back In Our Minds" the albums gets to the fun part with some very upbeat and high-spirited short funk songs with some touches of rock and very enthusiastic vocal performances. Then comes "Wars Of Armageddon", the ending track, and just like "Maggot Brain", I feel it is unnecessarily long, and in a worse way, as the first track at least is emotional, while this one is just a nice rhythm groove that loses steam as it progresses with silly noises on top. I'll admit that the fart sounds makes me laugh and smile every time, but I still think it is the weakest spot. In summary, it is a fun album. I do really like the middle part, as it is more straight to the point and great funk, and for the start and ending, I wish they were shorter.

It’s funky for sure, more like study music for me though as jams aren’t very riveting to me

7,8/10

What a weird party of an album this is. From the drug use-inducing Maggot Brain, through all the funky vibes throughout the rest. Not carried by any one instrument, unless you’re putting the whole album on the back of Eddie Hazel’s opening guitar solo, this one is absolutely my favorite funk album of all time.

Very funkadelic!

Decent enough - not the sort of thing I’d choose to listen to, but that’s the joy of this!

1.5

SOMETHING SOMETHING RNG

veryy funky, very fun!

Awesome guitar! I hear a TOn of influence on later bands.

Starts strong

I am ashamed to say it has taken me this long to listen to this album. But man, am I glad I finally did. This is so much more of a flavor of funk that I'm into, and the lo-fi psychedelia of the title track still kills 55 years later. A great, great album.

as far as righteousness of belonging on this list, a total 5/5. but for me and my listening enjoyment? more like a 3/5. just not really for me but i appreciate its existence very much

Classic

its certainly groovy and i think i understood the message but just not special

Idk

A crown jewel of black psychedelia. Arcane beyond understanding, as direct as a punch to the nose.

Ничего необычного, возможно в свое время был прорывным, но я слыхал фанк и покруче 6/10

Funky

I think people only like this band because the name is cool. Would be great background music to getting a row from a daft stoner at a party because I used chatgpt once. For example…. However there were a couple of screamers on the drums which saved the day

bliblablu halloooo

Daaaaaaamn this album is cool. I clearly haven't listened to enough funk. The opening (and title) track is a kickass instrumental that sets a really good mood for the album, and the rest of the tracks follow it well.

Unremarkable I suppose?

funkly not

Don't know whether to call it funny, shocking, or both that this album starts with one of the most powerful, stop-in-your-tracks arresting rock instrumentals ever made and ends with a horrific mess of noise with a whole bunch of forgettable, dated stuff in between. Now I know why I've only ever heard the title track.

Broad and grand, but not my cup of tea. I like the more basic songs on here, have been a big fan of can you get to that, since I heard it sampled a while ago. Appreciate you maggot brain for all you did and have done

I liked the rhythm and music of the album but the lyrics sort of washed over me. The longer tracks dragged. Highlight was Can You Get To That.