1001 Albums Generator
Freak Out! by The Mothers Of Invention

Freak Out!

The Mothers Of Invention

1966
2.81
Rating
22876
Votes
1
12%
2
29%
3
33%
4
19%
5
7%
Distribution
Genres: Rock Styles: Psychedelic Rock, Art Rock, Experimental, Symphonic Rock, Avant-garde, Parody

Reviews (page 3 of 8)

I did not like this at first but there is some funny novelty here and it’s surprising to hear their colloquialisms of old.

This was a fun interesting concept album.

So this is some of the best Zappa I've heard and I was impressed until it got to the final track and became his usual junk

Trouble every day Any way the wind blows Motherly love

The start of something quite unique for Frank Zappa. an amazing album.

I won't lie - Zappa is a guy I can struggle with when he starts to get too avant garde-y, but this is the sweet spot for me - some belting tunes but with enough going on around them to make it stand out from the crowd. The drugs definitely kick in on side b. 

This is a very 60's album, but still a pretty peculiar one. There are some psychedelic elements, as well as a very classy sound. And, still, it's a very funny and enjoyable record. And a very innovative one, something that is no surprise considering the musicians that sign this album (specially Zappa). This album has many distant directions whilst being a very cohesive one sonically, too. I'm very surprised by the capacity of the band to make such a strong debut, something that shows how good they actually are. This album is really great, and some of the sounds in here are really beautiful. A complete musical experience that, even though it is not Zappa's (nor Mothers of Invention's) best album, is a fantastic one.

A couple of smiles.

Yet another….. I love the idea of Zappa. I love Frank. His influence is enormous. His musicianship is nearly unparalleled. I still don’t like to listen to him very much.

This is a fun album. Lyrics made me laugh a few times (I love the phrase Wowie zowie), and most of it was musically interesting. It did start to drag pretty badly by the end though. And by drag, I don’t just mean it was boring. I mean it was BAD. Would’ve been better as a 40 minute album.

This feels like being surrounded by people laughing about an inside joke. I just don’t quite get what I’m missing. It’s weird

Was going to give it a 2 star then "The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet" came on and sealed the 1 star rating. An album that sounds really bad sober and clean, and likely is still as bad stoned! Hard pass.

The concept album that breaks the rule that all concept albums are bad .. I enjoyed (most of) it 👍

My favorite Zappa album or a tie with Over-Nite Sensation. Skewed pop sensibilities in full effect and his sense of humor hadn't fully soured yet.

One of the most approachable of the Zappa/Mothers albums, this set of music at points passes for conventional rock radio fare of its day, such as the AM radio-friendly conventions of “You Didn’t Try to Call Me” or the doo-wop of “Go Cry On Somebody Else’s Shoulder.” Only everything is twisted ever so slightly — this is Zappa and the Mothers, after all, and cultural and social critiques abound. “Trouble Every Day” might be the only out-and-out protest song in the Zappa canon; it rides a formidable riff. By the end, the weirdness get cranked to 11, all is right with the universe and the album title seems apt.

Had heard this before; not as weird as you expect (that would be Captain Beefheart) but not as much fun, either.

Pretty cool but also zany at times.

In a nutshell: fuck the freak scene The Mothers are parodying a lot here: pop music, teen romance songs, doo wop, the LA freak out counterculture, etc. It's weird mashup of genres, which is expected here. It may have been one of rock's first concept albums, probably ahead of its time. I don't think listeners in 1966 were quite ready for this kind of music. I didn't like this, but I can see why it's on the list. Overall: 2/10

The ending of this one is really freaky but zappa always (mostly) slays

This took in excess of five full playthroughs to get. Feels like a more straight-ahead version of Zappa, and even though I love Zappa's more out-there stuff, this is awesome in its own way. Favorite tracks: Hungry Freaks, Daddy, Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder, Any Way The Wind Blows, I'm Not Satisfied, You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here.

gets a bit too unhinged towards the end for me lol

Så konstigt, så mycket ljud, så kreativt. För en person som lätt blir överstimulerad är detta en mardröm. The Return of the son of the monster magnet, så jobbig att lyssna på. Bara ljud. Jag förstår Frank Zappas förmåga att skapa och är imponerad av kreativiteten men detta är inte för mig.

This has that hippie bastard Zappa written all over it, and I love it.

Starts out as a nice album with questionable vocals and then descends into chaos by the end of it. A lot of the songs are reminiscent of others I’ve heard from more well known bands but only in terms of the band sound, the vocals are wildly different. Not quite sure what this is meant to be about or what genre it’s meant to fit but it was a pleasantly surprising way to start a day, again until the last two songs which were just weird.

Not an enjoyable listening experience.

Nothing memorable stands out to me, the irony was lost on me.

Been a long time between listens. As chaotic and ridiculous as I remember.

The Mothers Of Invention is such a weird band. I liked the album, but I just can't see myself listening to it or any of the songs again. It was starting to get a bit old by the time I got towards the end of it though.

Zappa was definitely ahead of his time, so far ahead I'm not sure his time has actually arrived yet. It says this album is satirical, but I'm a few IQ points short of fully getting it. Thankfully the music was engaging enough that it was not a slog to get through. Love them or hate them, albums like this are one of the main reasons I do this list, to hear something different.

Quirky. Zappa always feels more like watching a performance than listening to music. I appreciate him, but rarely listen (even to the records I own).

This sounds like it was fun to make, and might be fun to listen to on drugs.

3 - decent album but far from the genius Zappa would release later

Smug and snarky. Weird Al without the fun. If this wasn’t Frank Zappa nobody would care.

If Frank Zappa is involved, I probably won't like it. Still, some interesting things in here to keep me slightly engaged.

this album was sick, it was so unserious and mocking but i feel like that’s a very necessary contrast in the world of music and the way the mainstream is, i appreciate the list for inclusions an album that comes deep from the other end of the spectrum here, zappas creativity is something to be studied. I really like the guitars and vocals on this album, i was just enjoying every song of it.

Pretentious Experimental Crap Rock. This so-called satirical album from the mid-1960s hasn't aged well - was there ever a time when it was funny?

Its not special but its not the worst thing ive ever heard. 3 stars.

Fascinating album, especially considering it's from 1966. This is funny, original, intelligent and pretty ahead of its time - but also pretty demanding at times.

Music to chew bubblegum to. Actually criminal that right when you think you're close, they hit you with a 12 minute song that is just random sounds.

Half good half shite

I get it, it's a satire, but it doesn't land for me. Didn't finish and no desire to revisit. First 1

Weird. Some of the songs are good despite the weirdness. I don't know why there's so much kazoo. The last two songs are basically unlistenable.

The vocals sounded like an attempt at karaoke by someone who had a day-job at something like office administration, dental hygienist, something entirely removed from singing. The music sounds like a sad attempt to cash in on the fever dream aesthetic of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band. I’m not sure if this band matters in the grand scheme of music. If they do, I don’t know why…

This was quirky, musically it was pretty interesting but it was ultimately too goofy for me to come back to

This is fun, it is aged of course, but it remains entertaining and quite fun. I don't know if it is musically amazing or anything, kinda more silly, like 60's surf music with even less instrumental and more wack lyrics. I mean it is worth hearing but only really for the historic value and the just plain fun of it. I would actually like to rate this rather well because it is so different, but I will stick to some standard after all and say it is kinda wack and I am not sure what kind of music, in a sense, I would try to define by recommending it. It is like a "classic" in a silly sense.

A completely unconventional and groundbreaking album that captures just how unhinged Frank Zappa was from the very beginning—and how powerful his influence already was in 1966. Given the era, it would be easy to assume that the rampant use of LSD and other psychedelic drugs had something to do with an album like this making it into a recording studio in the first place. What makes it even stranger is that Zappa himself was famously anti-drug and expected strict adherence to that stance from his bandmates, which means all the wildness on display here comes straight from his own factory-standard settings. Of all the Zappa-involved albums I’ve been subjected to, this was the least laborious to get through—though I’m not entirely sure that’s meant as a compliment. I just wish it had been shorter.

Zappa was a name that kept coming up in my youth as someone revered, so I attempted to see what the fuss was all about. What I got was a cacophony of strange peppered with humor and social commentary as I slogged through Joe's Garage. As I realized then, this music isn't for me. He is just an unusual individual and all that abnormal energy is front and center in ALL of his music. This was definitely more straightforward than he becomes later on and that made it more palatable...... barely. If you're one of the people who just love the weird and avant-garde music that exists in the world I am sure this is part of your collection. It will never be a part of mine.

248/1001 The Mothers of Invention - Freak Out! Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❎ There's some great stuff on here, whether it's the psych or the doo-wop, however for me it leans a bit too much into the weird side for my tastes for me to go out a revisit it.

I enjoy Frank Zappa for what he does. It’s not for me all the time. But a little dose here and there is ok and interesting and new for me.

Great album

Cannot decide how to rate this album. On the one hand it's clearly innovative and influential and important. On the other hand it's overlong and annoying. Some songs are fun as hell and some songs are painful. Like my English teacher used to say, I will give it an extra grade, in this case a star for creativity, but really?

Nuh-uh. Insufferable.

Another one best imagined performed by Muppets; to wit, I give you Floyd's composition, Fugue for Frog: https://youtu.be/wXaaqb8aja8?si=pTIGgWjGDYssaS1B

I would have assumed you needed to be high to understand this, but I was stoned out of my mind when I listened to it and I found it annoying, and it wasn't much better when I revisited it sober. Once again applying what I said in my Basie review that you have to take into account that nothing sounded like this at the time...but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Certainly interesting and has a pretty humorous way of getting its theme across. That said the latter half is more enjoyable and unique, and for an hour long album thats pretty important. Anyway the Wind Blows is probably my favourite but any of the second half gets points for interest.

Fun and unique. Very Zappa.

Uggh, in spite of proclaim actions of musical genius….I have never been able to connect with Frank. At all.

I need to revisit it - right now I don't like it but I respect Frank Black enough to give it a few more listens. Feels like he's trolling the 50s for some reason I don't understand. I'm sure in 1966 this all seemed innovated and revolutionary but right now it sounds like way too much kazoo and trolling. It's hard to explain to my kids how important Never mind (two albums back for me) was "at the time" maybe this is that for people 20 years older than me? I don't get it.

Frank Zappa continues to assault my ears

One of the most annoying things I’ve listened to not just for this project but ever in my entire life

Never heard of this. No idea what it is, except after checking out the wiki, I’ve heard of Frank Zappa. This is so weird and making me laugh. It does have some of that 60s aesthetic, yet it’s just crazy. This is for psychedelic drugs right? This sometimes listens like a modern parody album. Sometimes it sounds like a straightforward 60s rock record. I don’t know what to make of it. It’s mostly fun and I’m enjoying it at times. But it’s wild at times. The shorter songs make it an easier listen. Especially when a more straightforward song comes on. This drags by the time you get to the last few tracks that are experimental noise. Severely wipes away the fun feeling. This is a 2 for me.

I appreciate the satiric quality and the sense of humor of the songs and music. Zappa has never been my taste and this album is fine even while seeming restrained compared to later Zappa. Solid 3 and maybe rises someday?

Ok look I get what this album is trying to do. I understand where this album is situated in the context it exists in. It starts off very strong as a typical psychedelic rock album and then devolves into madness. It's brilliant in an experimental sense, and unfortunately much of the satire regarding the U.S. set forth in this album still applies to today. That being said, this is not something I would listen to again regularly just because of how dense and unsettling it presents itself.

Well, this one definitely gets points for significance. The first rock double album and one of the first concept albums. It's bizarre and experimental, even for an era that was full of bizarre and experimental music. At points, it sounds like a parody of "Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band", except that it came out a year earlier. It's satirical and non-sensical, critical of psychedelic rock, while simultaneously pushing the genre forward as breakneck speed. The whole thing is hard to classify. It's completely free and silly and weird and probably pissed a lot of people off. This was Frank Zappa introducing his style of avant garde pop rock right off the bat. This was never going to be a chart topper, but it's probably changed a specific stream of underground rock music for decades to come. Other bands may have already started changing the rules, but the Mothers of Invention showed what can happen if you ripped up the rule book completely and played under its falling confetti. Weird and wonderful, but not for everyone.

Sounds like a bunch of drunk frat boys that used daddy’s money to buy some time in a studio.

Wacky album. My favourites were Wowie Zowie and Anyway The Wind Blows. The closing track was quite something. Is that what a bad trip is like?

For an album recorded 50 years ago, it does have ‘ahead of its time’ vibes. It was definitely a choice to mix the tambourine louder than the drumkit on certain songs. Anyway, when it’s good, it’s good. However the joke wears thin by the end of the album. I’d say it does belong on this list mainly for sounding so weird and unique for the time. Bumping it up to a 3 because of that.

Frank Zappa seems more like a fictional character than an actual person who once actually existed at this point. Nice to listen to this to remember what the fuss was about.

This was quite good

There was a time in my life when I pretended to like this to seem artsy and sophisticated.

I dont give out many 1s. This is the worst album I have ever heard, but I love it in a sense. There are some good tracks, surprisingly. "Trouble Every Day" and "Anyway The Wind Blows" are added to my personal playlist. The fact that there are good songs on the album makes it worse in a sense. For example, the Adam & The Ants album on this list is clearly a 1 Star album. Bad from beginning to end. "Freak Out!" on the other hand is like going on bad first date. Awkward at first, then you see the good in the person midway through, but quickly find out that they have some weird s*it going on. Imagine if you gave an insane person acid, then let them into the DJ room in the back of Guitar Center. That is what experiencing "Help, I'm a Rock" is like.

Really weird but very good

Couldn't get used to the singing, didn't enjoy the album therefore.

Lyrics spoil a lot of music, especially here

Frank Zappa has a massive back-catalogue to work through, with styles covering jazz, blues, fusion, rock, pop, psychedelia, and so much more. Much of his work is flavoured with varying amounts of comedy, and a lot of it is the result of impromptu jam sessions that then became fixed, note-perfect gig standards (he was, by all accounts, a bit of a perfectionist), but the one thing you can say about all his work is that it was absolutely the height of musical excellence. So when I say that Freak Out! is not one of my favourite Zappa/Mothers albums, I want you to understand that I still love it. It's a nice li'l album to listen to when you're feeling chill, or just want something on in the background you can appreciate without being too distracted. So not my favourite, but it's still gonna get five stars all to itself.

Love it!

Honestly, I kept zoning out and every time I finally zoned back in I found myself listening to some BULLSHIT. Kinda crazy this came out in ‘66 though

Cream cheese??

Actually way more catchy than I expected from a Frank Zappa / The Mothers of Invention album. Very goofy as well, which was something I did expect. Not sure if it’s something I will return to much, but it was nice to listen to.

Not for me, and I've heard this one before.

I think I have a generally high tolerance for "weirdness" in music, but this definitely strains that.

Hungry freaks, daddy - 4 I ain't got no heart - 3 Who are the brain police? - 3 Go cry on somebody else's shoulder - 3 Motherly love - 3 How could i be such a fool - 4 Wowie zowie - 2 You didn't try to call me - 3 Anyway the wind blows - 3 I'm not satisfied - 3 You're probably wondering why i'm here - 3 Trouble every day - 4 Help, i'm a rock - 2 The return of the son of monster magnet - 2

What am I listening to. I mean yeah I guess. Okay. Like whatever. I've never been a fan of concept albums. Even the pioneering ones I suppose. Does the music stay ironic or do they try to make it good sometime. Like I honestly just don't wanna listen to this. So I'm not going to. Not for me sorry. Favourite: Least favourite:

A very experimental 60's rock album. Has elements of Musique concrete. In general I love Zappa and the mothers so its a no brainer that I would like this but I havent gone back to it in a while. 7/10 Favourite: Help, I'm a Rock Least Favourite: Wowee Zowee

Challenging, it’s more understood in function to its context rather than an independent work of art.

I feel like this album was specifically made to make fun of everyone. It's not awful and probably makes a lot of sense in an influential way but I don't have the energy for that today. I think this is more skilled than it is enjoyable.

I was listening to this in the car and it got to a certain point where I said, "I do not like this. This must be satire or something. I will need to read the wikipedia when I get home". Yup. Not really required listening.

When to listen: On LSD?! It was trippy, it was cool, it was definitely ahead of it's time and I like the more melodic songs in the beginning but I'm just not smart enough to enjoy the weird ones at the end... I know that's the point. I'm a normie what can I say ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This where it all started

ummmmmmmm....... not my cup of tea.....

Weird, and not in a good way

My biases about Frank Zappa inform me, prior to listening to this album that there's no way I'm listening to 60 minutes of his band. We'll see Yeah, pretty shit. If you guys think people who make music suck so much, rather than make fun of them, do better than them, you smug fucks. This is like the trope of the old guy outside the construction site telling the workers how to do their jobs. Shut the fuck up. Shut the fuck up. ⭐

The straight‑up pop songs are kind of good — “Anyway the Wind Blows”, for instance. But all that silly nonsense is bullshit. There’s potential in more or less every aspect of the album, but the silly stuff kills the vibe.

Я не понял. Альбом неплохой, но это первый на сайте, некоторые песни которого я хотел пропустить, именно с точки зрения исполнения. Текст некоторых песен безусловный баян, чуть поднадоели сопли про любовь, особенно когда это поют так и не девушка, уж извините. В общем как-то не моё вообще

This album grew on me. I wasn’t too sure about it to start with, but I was drawn to listen to it all. It felt both familiar and ahead of its time, in equal measure.

That last song is definitely freaky.

Album No. 0155 on my list. I'm fully aware that Frank Zappa is considered one of the most influential artists of all time, so I was quite curious to listen to this album, because I wanted to get a better understanding of how he and his band actually sounded (apart from the few songs from other albums that I had listened to before). Well, and I'd like to say: I get why Zappa has been so influential, and why the album is on this list. This is certainly psychedelic, this certainly has hippie vibes, this certainly is a satire album, and there is certainly a lof of interesting experimental stuff on this. But I'm just afraid it's not an album I personally enjoy. While I can appreciate its avant-garde nature, I found many songs on "Freak Out!" rather a bit annoying, and they don't make that up by being particularly catchy either. I get why this appealed to people at the time, but to me, this is really more of an "I'll just put some sounds together just for the fun of it"-type album. I'll add "Hungry Freaks, Daddy", and "I'm Not Satisfied" to my playlist. 2/5 stars.

Steadily got better as it progressed, but it wasn't something I would go out of my way to listen to again. I think Zappa sometimes takes his musical jokes just a little too far, and it stops being enjoyable at some point.

daviwye da shua gzashi mitski chavrte idk man. ari mara arari ra ravuyo

Favourite Songs: Trouble Every Day Help, I'm A Rock

I can't help but find this entertaining and funny. Zappa manages to find that "smart silly" zone that is inhabited by the Pythons, Fry and Laurie, and Tina Fey. It's essential that they're also musically talented, so they know how to write songs that are interesting but also musically absurd. They're probably spiritually in the same region as Captain Beefheart, but they don't ask us to forego musical coherence. Wound up listening to this twice on the road and loved it both times, so this has to be rewarded.

I always enjoy Frank Zappa for 2-3 tracks, and then I get exhausted by the zaniness. But I can choose any three-track run and enjoy it, so I'm a little lost on what to rate this.

I felt like they were making great music and then making fun of me for liking it. The sardonicism could be perceived as insecurity if viewed through right (wrong?) lens. Ultimately, there are some fun tracks here and they get points for being early weirdos.

Man Frank Zappa is weird

when the improv troupe decides to try their hand at music

Frank Zappa is one odd duck... but like I always say, the most talented ones usually are.

Oh, Zappa. Impossible to sum up in a capsule review. Sometimes compelling, other times utterly annoying. About five of these tunes groove in a satisfying warped-pop way, and more than that are too snarky and “polymath” for their own good. Give me the Greatest Hits and “Overnight Sensation”!

A good listen for the most part, with a nice 60s rock sound that is a good example of that countercultural moment, and is genuinely funny in places. However, the band discover acid around Track 13, and the rest of the album becomes unlistenable.

AKA Zappa Begins. Sadly, I can’t give this album more than 3 stars, despite the fact I listen to much of it fairly often. Indeed, excepting ‘Who Are the Brain Police?’, I really like every song from sides one and two, plus ‘Trouble Every Day’. However, we then get into the long-form experimental/avant-garde stuff, and that’s where the album loses me. In fact, I’m not sure I’d ever heard the very end before. Had they taken the first twelve tracks and re-sequenced them to a single disc they’d have a really strong 4-star album. Crazy it’s from 1966 though!

It was interesting, to say the least. Seems quite ahead of its time. But most of the songs didn't draw me in that much.

I did freak out. The homage songs to 50s and 60s music subgenres were nice, the iconic songs were great, but the spaced out trippy songs were longer than needed.

< the Beatles Some of the music is decent but the rest sucks.

Hard to believe this album is 60 years old. A lot of it still resonates as much today as it did in the 60s.

Freak Out! for sure. I've listened to this a few times over the years. The guitar playing is outta sight and I really dig the doubled vocals, especially on Hungry Freaks, Daddy. Interesting to read about this album while listening, finding out the producer was high on LSD during some of the recordings makes sense. 1966, LSD was still legal in the U.S. Wild shit!!! This isn't everyday listening type stuff, but Zappa is definitely a musical genius.

I've always kind of dismissed Frank Zappa. Too try-hard kooky for me. Comes off as smug and a bit obnoxious. His kids names are stupid. "oHhH tHaTs tHe pOiNt". Stop yourself. Anywho, the album itself wasn't actually that bad. Doesn't have to be anywhere as long. Just kind of an hour long string of 3star weird psychedelic songs.

Definitely YEARS ahead of its time. It's innovative, outlandish, satirical, fun, unsettling, trippy, catchy... Like another person in the comments said, I wouldn't listen to it every day, but there's no doubt this album is important to music as a whole.

really good listen . Dry and satirical, some really good lyrics.

Hell yeah a kazoo! This is fun, gets a laugh now and then, but it's not exactly something I can relate to nor would I listen it to for leisure. Feels like a bit of a waste of good musicians.

There’s parts of this I like, the garage rock, the doo wop pastiche- I’m much less of a fan of the extended freak outs and random shouting

Si ce n'était des kazoos, des solos de jazz et des chansons où ils chantent faux en harmonie, ce serait un super album. Mais la drogue.

Thoughts before listening: Not my favorite era for Zappa. The MOI seem more to me like parody pranksters than what Zappa would later become on albums like Apostrophe and Hot Rats. Maybe this album is better than my recollection, but this is how I remember it. Review: Ok so this starts out strong with "Hungry Freaks, Daddy" and "I Ain't Got No Heart" which offer 60s style pop rock albeit through the psycho, freak lense only Zappa could put on them. Things then get a little too weird for their own good with "Who are the Brain Police" and keeps on that path for much of the album. I know this balance between brilliance and weird for the sake of being weird is a staple of Frank Zappa's career, but I just can't 100% but into him for this reason. I'll give this 3-stars, but my opinion of Zappa's early years remains unchanged.

Zappa gonna Zappa. Some fine stuff intermixed with “other”

Great stuff, maybe a little long

I can't imagine how "far-out" this was in 1966. They paved the way for Weird Al, Primus, Cake, Wolves of Glendale and so many more. The doo wop parts are strange, but the album as a whole honestly kinda works. "Trouble Every Day" is a rare serious tune - straight up blues rock protest song about the Watts riots. This is probably some of the more palatable Zappa out there too. It's bold and way ahead of its time and just pretty neat.

I must admit to being very surprised at its release year - 1966. I quite enjoyed its silliness.

Very silly

A good album, easy listening.

6/10 Are we really sure Zappa disapproved of drugs? Highlights: Trouble Every Day You're Probably Wondering Why Im Here

Genuinely scared me and made me want to turn it off. I love the really unique sound especially for it's period. The song where it's the man talking definitely freaked me out Cream cheese 5/5 wouldnt listen again

Deeply strange and surreal and satirical and unnerving, and also quite enjoyable! 3.5

Gave the relisten a miss as I'd respun it very recently. Grand record. About as weird as 60s gets. Not zappa best but pretty damn good.

I am generally a fan of Frank Zappa but other than one track this was un-listenable.

A Frank Zappa album that I quite like. The zaniness hadn't taken over yet.

this is the only Zappa that i have on vinyl. it’s amazing how frank moves between freak out music with its weird time signatures, odd instruments, and even odder sound effects. at times, this sounds like any other 60s album musically, but lyrically the anti-love songs and parodies of 50s and 60s music set frank apart

I hope there's more Zappa to come.

Just too strange for my taste

Different, seemingly an album of two parts really. Some that seemed a bit shit and oldie, but on a second listen felt very satirical. Other half of the album very experimental and political. Enjoyable, but feel other albums might be better?

Anyway The WindBlows

I will play this to my kids to deter them from ever taking drugs. I wanted it to end so badly it pained me. Like a really bad trip man. Someone spiked my tea.

Obviously way ahead of its time, the result of talent and thought, a commentary On The Times, et cetera. It also bugged the shit out of me. Sounds like an album version of those “welcome to my twisted mind” 2010 Tumblr blogs. It is sometimes actually funny, but other times it is–and I am truly loathe to say this–trying too hard to challenge or mock me. As the Brits might say, bit of a wank. But I can see why someone would like it. “Who could imagine that they would freak out in Minnesota?” I don’t need to imagine it, man. I live here and freak out all the time. “It Can’t Happen Here” would be timely if it was for, well, the actual structure and “songwriting” of it.

it's fun enough Will I listen to again: 9%

This one is a bit better than the other Mothers Of Invention I got. I appreciate Zappa a lot, but still I don't find this extremely good. It's way more interesting than the other one, but not great.

Overlong, but there's some gold in there. You can hear the bands it clearly inspired throughout it.

You know that guy in high-school who was sometimes funny, but more often forced it for attention and just made everyone get more annoyed over time? That's this album. And yes I sat through the 5 minutes of someone saying cream cheese until I wanted to buy this on vinyl just to snap it in half. I might also have a toothache.

Starts out confusingly conventional, then finishes expectedly confusing. While I'm not a Zappa guy, this was more enjoyable than expected. The end track was quite unpleasant. 2.5 stars, rounding down.

I can get behind oddball music if it’s reined in properly. This is about half and half.

Frank Zappa is too much for me sometimes. Yes some of these songs I enjoyed but some of them made my head hurt and my ears bleed. Chaotic neutral to say the least.

4 out of 5. Ok debut, things get better and freakier from here.

This was pretty weird. Some of the songs were okay but I didn't enjoy most of it. A kazoo can be fun but is not my favorite instrument...several of the songs were predominantly sex sounds.

Could not listen to the whole thing!

Wonderfully eccentric, but......

Look, I quite enjoyed this. Is 4 stars being a bit generous? Maybe. There's not many albums where I would happily say "oh just ignore the last twenty minutes", but there you go.

This was fun

Mijn tenen zijn 90 graden gaan krommen. Ik wil nooit meer naar dit album gaan luisteren. Los van dat de stemmen natuurlijk vals zijn, dat kan ook een gimmick zijn. Maar bij zoveel nummers aan het begin van het album zitten de lettergrepen van de tekst op precies dezelfde tel als de drum en baslijn, wat heel amateuristisch klinkt. Komt die klote kazoo ook nog langs. Wauwie zowie is verschrikkelijk. Opeens is er een nummer die wel goed is: trouble every day. Daarna wordt het helemaal kut en onluisterbaar. Ik luister nog liever naar het gejank van Yoko Ono in de get back serie. Ik ben blij dat deze leidensweg nu voorbij is.

Erg genoten van dit album. Leuk dat er mensen boos van worden, totaal verbijsterd zijn of weerstand oproept. Of je het nou leuk vindt of niet het maakt wat los en dat is precies de intentie. Een beetje wat moderne kunst bij sommige mensen kan los maken. Namate het album over de helft is wordt het steeds beter. Het album is denkik ook in goede zin meer controversieel dan dat het goed is. Latere albums zoals we’re only in it for the money zijn als albums misschien wat beter maar qua muzikaliteit en creativiteit absoluut erg goed. Productie klinkt erg goed. Baanbrekend voor die tijd en inspiratie voor Sgt. Pepper's lonely hearts club band. 4.5 ster.

Veel nummers klinken als een koortsdroom. ik heb nog nooit kazoo gehoord waarvan ik heb kunnen genieten. Klinkt erg als muziekimprov on drugs. Frank Zappa zal best een muzikaal genie zijn en een briljante gitarist maar ik hoop dat op andere projecten terug te horen. Later op het album werd het wel iets beter en af en toe heb ik wel moeten lachen om grappige dingetjes. t feit dat ze zichzelf niet serieus nemen zorgt ervoor dat ik dit ook niet serieus neem, daarvoor geef ik dit album 2 sterretjes.

A vast, weird first wave psych record. Gosh… 1966? Compare this to what the Beatles, Stones, Velvets, etc. were doing at the time, and it reveals this effort’s astounding novelty for its time.

To say that Zappa and The Mothers of Invention were w/o precedent would not be quite correct. The Kinks were making similarly satirical rock music, tho their Britishness reined in the experimental aspects of their invention. B/c he's American, Zappa's will for the avant-garde is unguarded and full-spectrum: Freak Out! is, compositionally and lyrically, as in-your-face as the best punk. While Ray Davies cultivates a coy, restrained Britishness, Zappa develops an extroverted brand of the American cutting-edge. My favorite tracks on this debut, which I admire but do not love to death - it's got too many songs that are mere novelties - are the ones that engage an American aesthetic - doo-wop + early rock 'n' roll - ironically but lovingly.

2 and a bit. prefer mid to late 70s zappa which is perfection.

Frank Zappa as a person, 5/5. This Frank Zappa album, 3/5.

Unlisteneable

I love seeing people be their authentic, freaky selves. At the same time, I find spending too much time with them exhausting. It was the same with this album - what a complete orgy of creativity and anti-establishment feeling - but there’s only so long I can listen to people being funny about things that really aren’t that funny. Glad I listened to it, glad it exists, but won’t be rushing back to listen to it again.

This is terrible

Thank fuck I only have to listen to this once

This is very weird, and I was prepared to not like it at all, but I strangely enjoyed it.

The joke was never funny in the first place.

The first track of this double LP debut album is called “Hungry Freaks, Daddy”. It’s absolutely terrible, from a traditional pop music perspective, but really establishes the ! I’ve listened to a moderate amount of psychedelic rock for this project, and every time I find myself wondering “this is fine, but when does psychedelic rock get REALLY weird?” Turns out, it happened right at the beginning, in 1966, before most of those other albums even came out. Neat. Part of me is curious what this listening experience would be like on even a fraction of any of the drugs consumed during its creation. I’ll probably never know. It’s fun to hear Frank Zappa sorting things out. His solo stuff is pretty wonky/nerdy and hard for me to get into, but slacker/stoner Frank Zappa is its own vibe. Idk how often I can listen to this but it’s more frequent than never.

Great first album. Zappa already had his sound. Influence of do-wop carried throughout future albums

What turned out to be a very fun, satiristic album got dragged down to the depths of hell by that 12 minute warbling mess of a last track. Discordant organs, nonsensical chants, and waifish moans do not make a good ending to your album.

*confused kazoo noises*

Absolute time capsule. I can’t tell if they’re being super serious or making fun of the 1950s Duop but I’m into it.

Interesting, but not my vibe. ★★★

I don't get Frank Zappa, never did. Was he supposed to be like the Weird Al Yankovic of the Baby Boomers? Still, not the worst album on this list.

just hooting and hollering

Very freaky, indeed. Lots of radio-friendly songs, too. One of a kind album.

Not gonna lie; they had me in the first half! I thought this was a shitty incel band from 1966 but it's Zappa:) 4/5

Good context, but still... just not for me. https://500songs.com/podcast/episode-140-trouble-every-day-by-the-mothers-of-invention/

So annoying

Truly some parts of this still sound contemporary and fresh. Idk how they did it, but I know it blew minds back in the day. I’ll probably not ever listen to this again, but it’s very cool to see a clear step in the evolution of rock music preserved in the fossil record this way.

why are we doing this can someone with the book tell me wtf we're doing here

Hot Rats got me listening to Zappa, so I was looking forward to this album. The album was interesting from a historical perspective, but the sounds weren't for me.

I think on more objective level I’d give this a 4 as a piece of art but it was just not fun to listen to. I appreciate some of the protest angles but they’re really buried among a mostly cacophonous sound. I understand how that’s the point but again it just wasn’t fun.

seeing zappa twice within a month or two is really cool, even if this album is just a really long SNL skit. as always, cool guitar work from zappa-- this is expected-- but the rest is just a little too goofy for this to make it onto my "i will play this album again" list. it was fun to listen to once, and i feel that once is enough

Maybe the biggest disparity between lyrics, music, and vocals that I've ever heard. I found the former two to be pretty enjoyable in most parts, but the vocals were easily the worst that we've been exposed to so far.

Almost every song sounds like a band that’s parodied on Portlandia. I’m pretty sure Fred Armisen plays a kazoo at some point in the show. The only two listenable songs were “Go Cry on Someone Else’s Shoulder” and "Trouble Every Day," but were also the most traditionally structured songs. One hour long, but it seemed absolutely endless. I hope to never hear this ever again.

A bit heavy on the “hey look how wacky I am” for my taste

Did we need one whole albums’ side worth of squeaking noises? No. On the other hand, Frank Zappa.

Review - "Did you like the album?" "No, but I agreed the fuck out of it." Rating - 5/10 Need to hear? YES

I think this album would have grown on me with more listens. It wouldn't be something I reach for. However, the creativity was really engaging, albeit a little weird at times.

This Is The Voice Of Your Conscience Baby 1001 Albums Generator 200 (1/7/2025) 200 days in to finally get my first Zappa album, and it also so happens to be his first ever! I love Frank Zappa, so I was quite excited to relisten to this for the first time in a little while. This album is a tough nut to crack. After a couple of "relatively" "normal" songs (if you can get past the kazoo), we get our first taste of the truly strange in Who Are The Brain Police?, an appropriately freaky bit of experimental rock that has some really low, heavy guitars at points (metal??). Then we get hit with Zappa's first (and far from last) foray into the world of doo-wop, Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder. I don't know what to do with Frank Zappa's love for doo-wop, but this is one of my favorites of his catalogue with the genre. How Could I Be Such A Fool is a highlight; the fuglehorn or whatever in the second verse is fantastic. I also love Anyway The Wind Blows. Honestly, the first LP's worth of music has no bad songs in my opinion, and the second LP starts with Trouble Every Day, which is the first hint in Zappa's career that the guy can really fuckin play the guitar. Then we enter the weird zone. And we stay there for the rest of the album. Help, I'm A Rock is proto-krautrock, so coming back to this album after listening through lots of Can, I have so much more appreciation for this song. I actually think it's wonderful and genius. However, I have not yet come around to the absolutely strange, scary, a capella madness of It Can't Happen Here. Not to mention the 12 minute The Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet, which starts with the first Suzy Creamcheese moment in the Frank Zappa catalogue and continues with some weird drum-led improv before devolving into studio experimentation. It's probably not for me, but I tell you, I enjoy this song more on every listen to the album. Freak Out! is an appropriately titled debut for the Mothers. 4.5/5, rounded down to a 4. Favs: How Could I Be Such A Fool Anyway The Wind Blows Trouble Every Day Least Fav: It Can't Happen Here

On Freak Out! Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention both pay tribute to and target 1960s pop. They're true to the sounds of the era, then twist them into distortion and satire, mocking pop conventions and calling out social hypocrisy. As it goes, the humor sharpens into biting commentary on media, government and the glorification of violence, and the final tracks are chaotic performance art that also highlight the emptiness of counterculture, psychedelic ritual. It feels like Weird Al’s spirit with punk attitude and an avant-garde edge—funny but abrasive. Interesting.

Too eccentric and odd.

Trippy comedic rock

Very much enjoyed, weird and fun

Amongst the ridiculous singing on this album there is actually some decent and well-orchestrated rock 'n' roll. (Some of this might sound like early Steely Dan if you took away the kazoos and the absurd vocals.) But Zappa ain't gonna let you ignore the vocals - the purpose of this record is to foreground his message (i.e. conforming to social norms = bad, "freaking out" = good) and the bizarro singing is meant to emphasize that Zappa is SAYING SOMETHING IMPORTANT HERE SO PAY ATTENTION. *Freak Out!* is not a put-it-on-in-the-background-and-go-about-your-day record, by design. In small doses, this approach might be effective. But 60 minutes of being pummelled by this stuff is a bit much, especially when the record devolves into weirdo vocalizing and sound effects in the last third.

Ok I get it but I don’t like it

Well hello Mr Zappa. I'm lucky that recently a friend of mine really wanted to listen to Frank Zappa because another friend of ours loves him and neither I nor my first friend have ever given him any attention. From those other albums I knew to expect two things, really excellent guitar work and absolute insanity for the sake of creation, and you know what? I'm a fan. Seriously though, the fact that songs like "Who Are the Brain Police?" end on what sounds like a kazoo but lead into "Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder" which no longer sounds like the same genre never mind the same band. I love it, I love an album that is just weird. It does get a lot of appreciation from me considering this album had a direct influence on McCartney leading to the creation of Sgt Peppers which, when we get there, will be in my top 10 at the end of this whole exercise probably. Evidently this album being critical and also being a concept album ended up being incredibly important for the music industry more for what it led to than what it was. On the thought that it's critical, it's hard to review this in a sort of retrospective lens when I understand this was critical of both sides of the coin within 60s culture. While plenty of reviews are saying it's too try hard for that I think that's what makes it important. Not everyone has to be but some people SHOULD be judgemental and critical, demand and expect more. But between songs that there are actual just straight rock songs that prove that if they want to they can easily play it with the best of them. It may seem like I flip on this point of being critical and being original or otherwise creative, but I think timing is incredibly important, and how it's presented is equally important. I don't quite see how this album is being labelled as aggressive and cynical while simultaneously being dismissed by some as satirical and therefore not serious. Perhaps an interesting question of if the messenger affects the message. I think I appreciate the album and what it was trying to do more than I distinctly like it, especially know both Zappa himself and this group would eventually put together more substantial and coherent records but this is not bad at all, certainly strange but important. Best songs: Anyway The Wind Blows, Trouble Every Day Worst songs: N/A Rank compared to everything else so far: 28/42 (below Play, above Ellington at Newport)

I get that it's supposed to be satire but it's hurting my ears and it's shit

Best Track - "Anyway The Wind Blows"

Never heard of this band but I noticed this is fronted by Zappa, whom I never listened to but know how legendary he is as an artist. Interested to hear this. Very psychedelic.

Wow, wow, wow! This is an album that feels like it was made for me! It's trippy, it's funky, it's such a fun time!!! I NEED it on vinyl immediately!

Very strange album. I probably won’t listen to again but it was interesting. I liked the bluesy style and a lot of the songs had elements I enjoyed paired with some stuff that made it weird. Some songs were just too odd for me but a few were nice enough on their own. All in all a weird experience I won’t repeat. Fav song: Trouble Every Day - also liked Go Cry On Somebody Else’s Shoulder Least fav: It Can’t Happen Here

Didn’t realise this was frank Zappa’s band but now it makes so much sense. Absolute shitter do an album. I don’t care if it laid the ground work for satirical albums after it’s such a pain to listen to. One hour too long in my opinion. Was having a rough mental day and had to switch off the last song and take a rest to preserve my mental stability. Specific rating 0.6 Fav song - go cry on somebody else’s shoulder Least fav- the return of the song of monster magnet.

These guys would love youtube/tiktok musical skits. It's a comedic album and sometimes the comedy comes at expense of the music and sometimes they go hand in hand. I think this album balances that a lot better than We're Only In It For The Money but there's still moments where the punchline is a scream or weird noise that makes listening a bit rough. Could have done with a few cuts but there were a lot of songs that were really fun to listen to! Favourite song: Anyway The Wind Blows (or You Didn't Try To Call Me) Least: The Return Of The Song Of Monster Magnet

This album feels too much like a rant and not enough like music. Which is fine. Art is art and any medium is acceptable to pass a message. That being said, I'm a simple dude when it comes to music, I just want it to be good. Even if the tone is in protest, bands like RATM or Gabriel O Pensador managed to make songs that are amazing on top of being critiques.

Don't think I'm cool enough to get this album. Several moments I enjoyed, but mostly, what the fuck?

I dont know why this is on this list. It feels like you can only enjoy this if you're half naked in the woods in the middle of summer high.

517/1001 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑

This is random and absolutely unserious. I liked first half of the album but the second one was just a mess.

I've no problem with satire but this is just a (presumably drug addled) mess.

Crap, crap, crap!

Brilliantly inventive! All time favourite

A strange, unholy union of decent instrumentals with lyrics sometimes akin to incoherent blathering. There's a song called. You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here, right around the 3/4 Mark, and yes, yes I am. Immediately followed by a song called Trouble Everyday that I actually enjoyed very much for its dialogue on social issues. Then came Help, I'm A Rock which consisted of some foreign language moaning, grunting and an array of different oral noises. These guys are definitely making a statement and I think I love it. You could tell me this came out in 1986, 2006, or 2036 and I would've believed you but to find outthis was released in 1966 is.... Not as far fetched as I thought when I began writing down this thought. 3.3333333 outta 5?

For this type of music, this is insanely long The first half is okay The end run is embarrassing. Some of its so fucking bad. Terrible It cant happen here? Well it did and it fucking sucks

I can see why this is influential. And I'm all for counter culture. Heck I like Devendea Banhart and I now know he pretty much ripped off half his sound from this album. But did I enjoy it? Not really. I'd also quite happily never listen to another album with this much kazoo. Not inspiring me to explore Zappa's 2359 other albums.

some of this i enjoyed, but overall this was too grating to be this long

This was an odd one. I have listened to a bit of later Zappa and it is all complicated arrangements and virtuoso musicianship, but when this started (beyond the terrible quality of the first track - dunno if this was a dodgy version I had on) it was just like a very normal 60s pop record. It didn't really jump.oit at me. I don't have whatever its contemporaries were to hand, but it wasn't too exciting. But as the album went on it got more Avant garde and pretty weird. I dunno if that was a good thing, but it felt more in line with what I expected. I guess it shows the alternative musical approach of Zappa but before his band became good enough to play his later ideas. It was interesting, it was fine. I wasn't blown away. I would listen to some of it again and would like to do.so.having read a bit about some of the compositions and the musical references in them that missed. But it also hasn't made me jump up.and start it again. So 3 I guess.

Never liked this one much, but I appreciate the energy and influence it brought to its time. I enjoyed a lot of the tracks more this time around, but the weird stuff Zappa always does are still a major turn off, like the whole last three tracks. Feels like he never does it with meaningful intent.

This is what happens when a creative musical genius and a group of great musicians get in a studio with a producer that’s tripping on acid and doesn’t turn down any suggestions. Most artists would never even have the idea to include half of what Frank Zappa pulled off. This kind of creativity can’t come from taking yourself seriously. I feel like the Mothers and Zappa in general is a bit underrepresented in this list, I’d recommend Absolutely Free, The Mothers of Invention’s following album, if you liked this. I believe Absolutely Free is better than Freak Out! and is also the first prog rock album, but that’s another story. 5/5

Crazy lyrics but I was feeling it until that last track

Ah, Frank and the Mothers, finally. My brother from another mother worships Zappa. I appreciate how experimental he can be, but man -- listening to a whole album is a slog.

Simultaneously fun and obnoxious

Reminds a little bit of primal dead. Same time frame. I really enjoyed this album. I have not really listened to much Zappa, but I am hoping there will be more. Glad my first was this album to see where the roots of the mothers really were. Highlights: * Hungry Freaks * Go Cry * Trouble Every Day

Really bad stuff.

Feels more like a compilation record than an album proper in the sense that the quality various sometimes greatly from track to track from filler to great but overall, a very unique experience and a worthy addition to any library. Wowie Zowie!

Given that my dad was a big fan of these guys, I expected more satire psychedelia, but always forget that this album is more doo-wop satire, which is a fun combination.

First time listening to anything Frank Zappa….underwhelmed. I’m sure in 1966 this was crazy and weird but it sounded very tame today. 1 star

Actually cannot imagine someone in the 60s making this lmao, or someone else in the 60s listening to it. Would have loved to be in the room when the last song was pitched/performed for the first time

freak is right. A lot of progressive stuff, kind of scary at the end. Clever lyrics lending to the satirical nature of the album

Standouts Trouble Every Day

I gave it a shot. Then I started to think about my life draining away while I listened to this instead of actually good albums. So I bailed out after three ‘songs’. No more Zappa please.

Self-indulgent contrarian racket. I love that Zappa exists/existed, but really glad I don't have to hear it often. Not as clever as he thought it was? Or too clever to actually work? Dunno.

If you’re going to force me to sit through an hour of smug, anti-music satire, you’ve gotta give me something funnier than cream cheese

Funny alternative

At first I was like "what the hell is this?" but then when I understood that it was Zappa it made more sense. Some good, some bad. I understand why it's something worth listening to though, which is a lot more than I can say for many of the other picks I've heard so far.

so hard to believe this was made in 1966; it still sounds fresh today.

I grew up listening to this album via my first high proformance full coverage stero earphones. The memories are fantastic.

Classic Zappa!

Yeah, it needs to be here and it's fun to hear Frank torn between celebrating and mocking the hippy thing that he's clearly part of, but I won't ever listen to this again.

A psychedelic parade collapsing in on itself — part satire, part revolution, part “what happens if you let genius get bored.” Rating: 4.7/5 Short Review: Freak Out! is the sound of Frank Zappa breaking into 1966, grabbing rock music by the collar, and saying, “Why are you all doing the same thing?” It’s chaotic, sarcastic, musically dense, and way smarter than it pretends to be. It mixes doo-wop parody, orchestral weirdness, political bite, and avant-garde noise into something that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. It’s less an album and more an explosion — messy, hilarious, furious, and decades ahead of its time. Favorite Track: Trouble Every Day

Easy 5, haha. So, so lustig und dabei gleichzeitig (in schön eingeflochtenen Teilen) bewegend - und (für mich persönlich) so befreiend … viel mehr geht eigentlich nicht. „I don’t like the way life has been abusing me“ bringt mich jedes Mal wieder zum Lachen! Hab sie dieses Jahr tatsächlich als near mint von 1971 gefunden ❤️ O, wie gern hätte ich „You’re probably wondering why I’m here“ einmal live erlebt! Ich find das Timing des Generators echt richtig gut ^^ auf dieser Platte kann ich mir Gesellschaftskritik anhören, ohne dabei wütend zu werden. Mit Witz und Gleichmut zu reagieren, ist so viel angenehmer… eigentlich wollte ich Autechre hören. Dabei und danach hätte ich mich nie so lebensfroh gefühlt - ich sollte mir feste Gutelaunemusikzeiten einplanen!

Stellenweise witzig, teilweise anstrengend.

A lot of good stuff here but I don't know if I'm quite seeing the genius through all the 'creativity'. Probably a grower but this is like a 3.5* right now.

Frank Zappa is clearly very talented and quite creative, but for whatever reason, he demonstrates almost no interest in making music the average person would describe as good. He does produce some entertaining send-ups of 50s pop and 60s rock on this album, but I think those are mostly accidents that come out of his real intent of mocking those genres and the people who like them. I can’t tell if Zappa is a grump that hates fun or if he’s actually having more fun than any other musician out there. Either way, this album is worth hearing even if it will obviously not be everyone’s taste.

Zappa just isn’t my thing.

I understand why this is on the list, but it doesn’t necessarily mean I like it, which I don’t. Mothers of Invention were just always a little too… weird… for me, which is saying a lot. Wowie Zowie felt like it was just somewhere between an artistic expression and mocking. How Could I be Such a Fool? was really the only track that kind of resonated with me. As the album continued, it just felt more, …shock value, …psychedelic, unnecessary, in my opinion. I will not be looking to put this on vinyl.

Random thoughts: * While most of this was very psychedelic there were still a few standard 60s sounding songs - Anyway the Wind Blows. * Lots of this was psych rock and was just fine. It didn't blow my mind but I also not currently stoned. * I could definitely live without this but I'm guessing this was pretty far out man when it came out. Respect for being a pioneer. However, I won't be revisiting any time soon.

A couple of the songs had a Beatles vibe to begin and then quickly went sideways. I pretty much made my mind up about this album from the first song. I don’t care if it’s supposed to be satirical. 15 minutes of my life I won’t get back after blowing through this crap. Just not for me, had to give it a 1 despite knowing it was influential.

I generally like Zappa.....just not this much. I know his stuff toes the line between parody and political social satire with musical excellence.....this just ain't his best.

Enough of this

Another album I expected to dislike but found really interesting. I’d never previously given Zappa any of my time. I’m not sure I’ll rush to revisit it but I enjoyed it.

I am partial to a bit of Zappa and co, although I hadn't heard this album before. The musical genres he played around in are ones I usually enjoy (although not so much the weirder avant garde stuff) and I've always been tickled by his humour although it's not everyone's cup of tea (there's definitely a lot that would get him cancelled these days). The tail end of this album was kinda hard work but there are some good tunes here

Frank Zappa for the most part is just a bit much for me. Feels a bit samey, self-indulgent. Not bad, but not something I particularly feel in awe of.

Hm. This was. Something. Definitely music. Not my style but whatever floats your boat IG.

Its 1966 and the mix is good. But they are prats really. Yeah needs a listen but I doubt you'll play it twice

Quite liked this at the beginning. Then the drugs kick in too much and they take the piss out of the listener.

Oh my god. I hate this.

They did a phenomenal job of being musical chameleons and humorously questioning the pop music at the time. It reminds me of how the James Bond movies all had saucy (and frankly insulting) women's names until Austin Powers' Alotta Fagina showed up. The Mothers of Invention showed up with a love/hate relationship of current music and practically dared everyone to do better, be more experimental.

Crikey. There’s only so much I can take. Isn’t it weird and wonderful! Well, it’s definitely weird. The satirisation of various genres here is impressive, but I’d be lying if I said it was nice to listen to. Especially on the second disc, things can turn from fun experimental to seriously grating experimental very quickly. I’m sure this album helped spark a flurry of rock-related releases in the years to come, seeing as 1966 was a sort of seminal year for harder, more ‘out-there’ music. But not this out-there. I prefer Zappa when he’s more jazz-orientated, or playing the bicycle as an instrument on the Ed Sullivan show, and not just going fucking mental for the sake of it.

Zappa is so silly and this is fine

Not my cup of tea. Odd bits are of it appeal but I dislike the majority of this

After about 4 full songs I started skipping as soon as something annoyed me. I didn't make it through a single full song after that.

So so. A few tracks just seemed like random noises

You know, more pop than I remembered. Solid fun times.

Difficult to listen to but I respect the boundaries they pushed

This was cool. And weird. But I thought it would be cooler. And weirder. 3.6

Funny coincidence is earlier today I listened to a doo-wop program that included the Penguins' Memories of El Monte, which was written by Frank Zappa. And there was a good bit of doo-wop here too. I enjoyed the album and its going from quirkier takes on conventional genres to full-on bizarrity

Have you ever been not in on an inside joke? NOTES: 1. Tribe-specific warps require you having 2 of that tribe for Lesser and 3 for Greater 2. 3 and more types you qualify for "menagerie" warps 3. Tribe-specific heroes can always get their tribe warps (Hoggar can always get Pirate warps etc.) 4. Animations are BAD pls fix 5. Mech Tier 6 (Apexis) is super strong 6. Lord of Gains is unplayable 7. Murlocs are busted as always 8. Wait for balance patch to play Dragons (they're bad)

I generally like Zappa's stuff but I have been avid about disliking his early stuff. This is one such example. Most of this is unlistenable, pretentious noise. It took him 8 years to produce a good version of "Trouble Every Day" which is testament to him improving as a musician. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTkNxr7z7ao Also, this is how I find out that the entire live recording of his 1947 A Token Of His Extreme show has been taken off of youtube. What a fucked up day

'66? That's impressive. I just read they were signed and produced by Tom Wilson. He is one of the more interesting music people you never heard of. Check him out. Be sure to find a photo, too. Here's a good teaser from reddit: Talk about having an ear for greatness! Knowing who to put together was his super power. I did not know he did the overlay of electric instruments for S&G's "Sound of Silence" and that they had already broken up as a duo and came back together because of his version. Launched their career. Launched Dylan's electric period. Put it on the line for Zappa's debut. Velvet Underground, Soft Machine, etc. The list goes on...! Not to mention his humble Jazz beginnings with Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor & Donald Byrd no less. Woof

Although The Mothers of Invention seem slightly more mainstream than Frank Zappa's solo work, my long-standing inability to enjoy and appreciate Zappa also seems to extend to the Mothers (at least this early iteration of Zappa's Mothers). I *do* appreciate the fact that this album generally has recognizable song structures and sounds, and even some pretty standard rhythm and blues numbers, but the somewhat pervasive late 60s psychedelic rock sound, coupled with Zappa's distinctive arrangements in many of the tracks (especially on the second disc of the too-long double-album), don't really speak to me, and often it felt like a slightly more musical version of a Jonathan Richman album. The highlights for me were probably the paranoid "Who are the brain police?", the Watts-riots-inspired "Trouble every day" and the sinister "Help, I'm a rock", with a nod to the surprisingly retro/campy stylings of "Go cry on somebody else's shoulders", plus of course the kid-favorite "Wowie Zowie" :) I'm a bit disappointed that there's another Mothers of Invention album ahead in the collection, but not exactly surprised.

would have been a lot stronger if it were half as long. I especially didn't need the jungle noises in the last 10 minutes or so...

I have a big respect for Zappa and the influence he had on some of my favorite artists. I still struggle to enjoy his music personally, but I feel like this album has the most relatable songs in Frank's entire discography.

AHHHHHHH! WAHHHHHHH! YAHOOOO!

I only knew Frank Zappa as grizzled and old. I didn't know he was once young and wide-eyed!

Frank Zappa’s band - bizarre lyrics and sound choices set to good music.

Very strange band. They have a lot of albums and definitely a few show up on this awful list. And from what I have heard, this is the best one. And it’s not that good. Couple decent songs but…weird. Wowee Zowee, maybe Pavement liked them?

I will never listen to this album again

Go cry on someone else’s shoulder is a gem. Definitely weird, sometimes funny but probably not going to be played by me again.

Interesting to listen to. But not something I would ever play. Also it does not sound like it was released in 1966

very interesting listening experience not great not terrible, was enjoyable

The historical importance of riffing on “cream cheese” for several minutes is not loss on me.