Freak Out!

Lots of similar sounding psych rock albums on this list. This one was probably the most enjoyable of the bunch with quite a clean sound despite the age

Weird vibes, cool and funky but not my thing - “help I’m a rock” is Eric’s ringtone lol

Not good, not bad.

Odd. Not really sure I enjoyed this, but then I didn’t switch it off either? I’ll guess my mind went blank so I’ll give it the average 3 to be fair!

That was a fun listen. I think I should put it in the shuffle that will play at the cottage.

This is wacky and wild and wonderfully impudent. But take heart, all you uptight, overstrung, Karens and Chads. It can't happen here.

Zappa 100%. Cream Cheese.

idk if i can sanction their buffoonery

Mom, I tore a big hole in the convertible

A very ambitious debut from one of the most inventive and surreal artists/groups of their era, Zappa and his Mothers really push the boundaries of what ‘pop’ music can be from the get go. There are some great songs on here - notably the opener - and some interesting psychedelic experimentation, culminating in a 12 minute musique concrete piece where the live band play something between free jazz and proto-metal which is then overdubbed by a barrage of tape manipulation that must have given Brian Wilson and George Martin a real kick up the backside for their studio wizardry in the coming months. The fact that all of this was possible in 1966 is insane - doesn’t mean it sounds good though

Not bad

I was expecting a lot more from this album. There is a weird moment here or there, but for the most part it is just a straightforward rock/blues album. The last three songs are strange, I kind of expected the whole album to be like that. There are some silly lyrics, but besides that and the last few songs I don't think I would have guessed this is Frank Zappa. This reminds me of Pink Floyd's debut album (if that makes any sense). Mid 3.

Frank Zappa is a weird cat. This album speaks to that. I sorta categorize the songs on this album into a few different styles (if that's a way to make some sense of this). Anti-Establishment Poetry over Whacky Jazz/60's groove rock: Hungry Freaks, I'm Not Satisfied, You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here, Trouble Everyday Pseudo Do Wop: Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder, Wowie Zowie Kazoo Rock???: Motherly Love Melodramatic 60's break up songs with bad changes: Ain't Got No Heart, How Could I Be Such A Fool, You Didn't Try to Call Me, Anyway the Wind Blows Psychedelic Potpourri: Who Are the Brain Police, Help I'm a Rock, It Can't Happen Here, Return of Son of Monster Magnet. Out of those categories I probably like the Pseudo Do Wop the best. The Anti-Establishment songs are okay. Maybe they were more revolutionary back in the 60's but they have a pretentiousness about them. If you've ever watched a Frank Zappa interview, that remark is not far off. Regardless of what I think about Frank Zappa's personality, he is a creative musician. I liked Trouble Everyday. It sorta has a Bob Dylan vibe to it. I'm not a fan of the Melodramatic stuff. First of all, it's pretty hard to take them seriously. Doesn't feel like genuine sorrow. I'm Not Satisfied is a total downer. wtf? Is this supposed to be a blues song or something? Might as well just sang "Nobody loves me, Everybody hates me, Guess I'll go eat worms." That's what MY Mother would tell me when I cried about shit. The psychedelic freak out songs just sound weird for weird's sake. ooo... I'm totally freaking out. SO, overall... interesting songwriting but lacking any melodies to make "good" music. And even though it seems to have a sense of humor at times, it's kind of a pretentious mocking humor and not a FUN kind of humor. I won't call it "bad" music. I'll just leave it at "it's different".

This was … interesting. Some of it was just really weird, but then songs like Wowie Zowie and Anyway the Wind Blows were fun. Go Cry on Somebody Else's shoulder was funny with the sock hop vibe. Trouble Every Day sadly hits home still today. Help, I'm a Rock and It Can't Happen Here were way bizarre. As was the last track, which also felt unnecessarily long so they could fill up the end of the record, but probably they were just enjoying jamming and being weird. Is cream cheese a metaphor for something that also involves an orgy in the jungle? The album intrigued me enough to give it a full second listen once I got a feel for what it was all about. Its weirdness did grow on me a bit.

I know it was revolutionary but not something I will choose to listen to

Slow 60s rock. Easy listen, but nothing that I must hear again.

3.3

Off the wall and fun. 3.5/5

Enjoyed this until the last two songs. Won’t be listening again

In one word, this album is absolutely bizarre. A wid blend of parody, chaos, and social commentary make this an intriguing listen, but not a very enjoyable one. Fun as a gimmick, but nothing I'd ever come back to. Top tracks: How Could I Be Such A Fool; Help, I'm A Rock; The Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet

I know this is supposed to be one of the greatest albums of all time but it sounds like another mid-60's Psychedelic rock album to me. Not bad but then compared to the Beatles or Pink Floyd it's average.

I liked the sound this album had, made me think a bit of early Pink Floyd at times, like on 'Who Are The Brain Police', and 'You're Probably Wondering Why I Am Here' with its quirky kazoo, for example. Overall it felt like something I should have enjoyed more, but didn't for some reason. It think it got a bit too silly honestly. In addition, it felt relatively lengthy, which wasn't in its favor. Weak 3.

Strange, but creative. Repulsive, but interesting. Demands your attention like driving by a car accident. Reminds me a bit of Zappa, Steve Vai, Pink Floyd,, Zep, and the Beatles.

Early Frank Zappa offers a sort of psycho doo-wop with teenager themes sung in funny voices. It really freaks out in the end. As smart and subversive as it may have been, it no longer resonates.

No había escuchado a Zappa antes y es muy random pero interesante

I’ve found you really have to be in the mood for Frank’s humor and zaniness to not go over like a lead balloon. I wasn’t really in the mood but this album isn’t very out there either. I guess I’m just hoping a more Zappa album will come along on a day I’m in the mood to listen

Is interesting but I think I just don't understand it. What's with the cream cheese?

Ermmm. Im not going to lie, I can’t remember this one, so I’m assuming it was neither a 5/5 nor a 1/5. Therefore I’ll be a coward and rate if a measly 3/5.

An amalgamation of a lot of different genres that would come about later. Clearly very ahead of its time but lyrics are lacking and some songs are just not good and hard to listen to Favorite Track: Who are the Brain Police?, Help I'm a Rock

Like anything involving Frank Zappa, I always feel like I've stepped into another dimension where everyone is absolutely insane. I just cannot get my head around the raw insanity, but I respect the unique approach I guess. It's creative at least.

Zappa halt, aber doch ein paar Songs die man hören kann. ***

contains all the weirdness and humor we come to associate with FZ, but only occasional brilliance.

I actually appreciate what The Mothers were doing here, and it really is a landmark record. But it is also stuck in a time long passed as a critique of a movement no longer relevant in pop culture. Miles ahead in 1966, but long since overtaken. Also, too long.

I really disliked some of these songs, but I unexpectedly liked others. Weird, but playful.

I seem to like about 10% of Zappa's work.

Zappa on fire.

Weird, experimental, trying to express several things, not always awesome, but cool overall.

It's weird and I'm here for it.

My only frames of reference for Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention were: A: Frank Zappa seems like he was a pretty woke dude for his time, and was an incredibly creative guy who probably did a shit ton of drugs. B: They’re name checked in Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water.” I knew I was in for a weird time, mostly by reputation and the track names. And yeah man, it was fuckin weird. At times It felt like a parody album, like it was taking on different genres (rock, acid rock, doo wop, and more), which is funny because psychedelia is often known for being parodied in itself. If all tracks are taken as a sincere effort to innovate and make significant serious attempts at bold statements through artistic expression, you probably aren’t going to like it much. But if you accept that it’s a wonky parody of both itself and other genres, it becomes pretty listenable…mostly. You’ll still have a weird album to listen to that may make you slightly uncomfortable. But that’s what challenging music will do to you. Also I do just need to give them the credit for having the balls of steel required to include the following line in 1966: “Hey you know something people/I’m not black/But there’s a whole lot of times/I wish I could say I’m not white” (from “Trouble Every Day) I gained a lot of respect for this album with that line. Anyway, I liked but didn’t love this. Three stars. Standout Tracks: Go Cry on Somebody Else’s Shoulder, Trouble Every Day

My problem with Zappa is that he is so clearly talented. He could sing, write, play, arrange, produce, everything. And when he tries, he’s very good. But so much of this record is dedicated to “freaking out the normies”, that the good bits get lost. It’s like Weird Al, but without the sweetness and silliness. Zappa had little more than contempt for pop culture. His writing, again, is compelling. But singing off-key and being annoying to make a point, still makes you annoying. And it kills me. Cause the sound mixing is so good that he even made harmonicas work. Trouble Every Day is rad. But that’s it for me.

Good trip bad trip

Bit strange but good

Messemble pour du Zappa, c’est un peu…bland? I guess il est pas parti tête baissée direct dans l’expérimentale et dans la fusion de genres, mais jsuis quand même un peu déçu

An album very much of its time, and with a range of styles including garage, R&B, acapella, and psychedelia, Humorous undertow to some of the songs will not have aged well. A couple of gems, especially trouble every day, but the closing experimental tracks really don't add much

These guys could not not ruin an album by putting schizophrenic seizure inducing pieces on everything. This rating is really a 5 and a 1 and there is no in between, despite the 3 rating.

Fine. Decent 60s sound but probably not listening again

This is a foundational album. You can love it. You can hate it. And without denigrating anyone's opinion, it just doesn't matter.

Wacky and insightful, as is the style of Frank Zappa

Listen up, Pod People!

Really fun, if I didn’t know the year I’d think this was more recent. Definitely poking fun a bit at some song genres kind of like it’s a parody in some ways, but the songs themselves hold together on their own well. 3.0

Some 60 years after this was recorded, the most notable thing for me is how little speech patterns, mannerisms and accents have changed in the intervening time. This could have been recorded weeks ago. It's a bit of an all-over-the-place album, with lots of stuff pressed that doesn't really make sense, and a lot of it is repetitive to the point of annoyed distraction. It's avant-garde jazz for people who like rock & roll.

Incredible production for an album from the 60's. This really pulls me in in parts and then other parts were tough to sit through. Overall a fun experience though.

Very, very strange album. But honestly it was a bit refreshing to hear something different. NOT my thing but I'll give credit where credit is due: These cat's are originals.

Weird but interesting. Never got the whole Zappa thing myself but I can kind of see why others dig him.

An interesting listen.

Wowie zowie is and a couple of other songs are really good but is held back by self indulgent wanking.

Frank Zappa's first efforts were a handful of odd singles, but his first REAL effort was this album. A double album, no less! The Mothers Of Invention aim to make fun of American culture all over the place. It's pretty messy actually. Most of the time it seems like the band is trying to speedrun early-mid '60s music while having fun with it. Seems like the band didn't take it too seriously, which is nice. The second LP, however, has the Mothers getting really weird with it. Acapella, sound collage, musique concrète, and other bizarre, layered sounds on Help, I'm a Rock and The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet keeps things interesting to the very end. I feel that no matter how smart or creative or inventive this is, it's limited by my personal enjoyment which is mostly fine. I occasionally enjoyed it, but this record sounds like it was more fun to make than to listen to. Cream cheese.

Typical Zappa. Moments of brilliance, but can never quite put it all together.

I certainly enjoy the satirical nature, and the foray into blues, doo-wah, and mo town genres. The music is well played, recorded and mixed. My only critique is that nothing is particularly strong in its own right. Just a fun album.

Ok!!

I’m a Zappa fan but even this was a bit out there for me 😵‍💫😵‍💫

Starts pretty normally and descends into absolute madness. Musically excellent when it tries and as mad as a box of frogs at others. I can’t say I enjoyed about half of the album but it’s certainly an experience.

Слышно что умеют, но не хотят, сильно экспереиентируют и угарают.

I was about to give this a 2 as it really was a painful slog, that last track has been added to the collective toll this project has had on my sanity. But then I spotted it was made in 1966 and that does put the whole thing in a different light - especially that weird lyric about wanting to be "not white". Thanks for the pioneering but I'll never ever listen to this again, bye.

Certainly creative… perhaps a bit of an acquired taste 😂

This is like Captain beefheart but more mainstream? It gets more experimental and unhinged as the album progresses. While this album was probably way ahead of its time, my ears are not huge fans.

Simpatico, ma non eccezionale.

Starts way too freaky, then gets really good, then gets way too freaky again. Another album of 3 halves! 2.8

listened to again definitely varied and interesting but not Zappa's best work

Pop rockier than later jazzier, proggier Zappa with hints/seeds of what’s to come. Less impressive in its class but a fun album

2.9/5 -- listened 2x. decent.

Soul heavy, almost poppy, but contained within the future of the Zappa freakdom that will blossom in years to come. It's a true 60s sound. Like psychedelic Tommy James.

Never explored Frank Zappa. This is the debut album - at times it sounds like a standard 60s guitar band, and at other times it's a psychedelic mess. Neither of these things are my cup of tea but I somehow still got a buzz out of this. It does fall apart at the end.

Interesting album. The vocals aren't the greatest, the tracks themselves seem unoriginal, the lyrics at times are completely nonsensical, and there are definitely some...interesting... musical decisions that were made. Definitely fitting for Mother's Day, with the band being The Mothers of Invention. I hadn't heard of this band, let alone the album and I'm kinda glad I didn't. +1 for the sick-ass album cover tho, this cover absolutely slaps.

The forest half had some songs.

Interesting!

Found this at a garage sale, plunked down my 25 cents, then went home and put it on the turntable. My world literally changed. I was now in a world where I had heard this album, where previously I was in a world where I had not. They were very much the same, these two worlds. However, there was no going back from the world where I had heard it to the world where I had not. Breakfast still tasted the same, I lived in the same place, went to the same school, slept in the same bed, and drove the same car. Yet I couldn't help but wonder if things would have been different if I had never listed to this album. I guess I'll never know.

Wild ass shit

i get that it's supposed to be satirical and ironic at points but man

This was such a strange and surreal listening experience. Some songs are like, weird Al before weird Al. Then suddenly it's kind of powerful political stuff, then we are back to kazoos and fake love songs. I kind of loved the parodies of pathetic teenaged boys though honestly.

A couple songs I really enjoyed. Some I really didn’t care for.

Oh Frank. You are an enigma.

I was surprised by this. Thought I'd hate it. Not as experimental and freaky as I imagined. Quite fun at times.

2.5

Frank Zappa! This one is pretty weird (and in the goofy-weird category for the most part). It's generally pretty fun, though is fairly uneven. It's a double album (though a 1966 double, so only 60 minutes total), and there's pretty big variability throughout. Some of the songs are fairly standard '60s rock (a little doo-woppy, a little Beatles-y) with a relatively decent amount of earnestness. Others are quite a bit more avant-garde and experimental. I didn't dislike it at all, but it's definitely a bit outside the box ("Susie Creamcheese, this is voice of your conscience baby"). I think this is considered to be fairly mainstream for Zappa, so I'm curious to listen to more as I go. I think I'm a bit less into it than a lot of the other '60s rock, but I do appreciate the uniqueness of it. Approaching a 3.5 for me, but not quite enough to round up I don't think. Favorite song: Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder Other: Hungry Freaks Daddy, Who Are The Brain Police?, Anyway The Wind Blows, Trouble Every Day, Help I'm A Rock 4/6/24

I know Zappa was a genius with perfect pitch, amazing musical talent, and just super smart. But his music always makes me feel like I’m doing homework. I should be paying more attention, getting more of the references. I’m not having fun, I’m not enjoying it.

I know this is a seminal album, breaking boundaries and being ahead of its time. It had an entropic feel to me, starting off cohesive and musically less challenging. By the end it all starts falling apart and become crazy. But funny with it. I really liked How could I be such a fool?

I can see the allure of Zappa and The Mothers for others but it's simply not for me.

Freak Out! Suzie? Cream Cheese? I’ve always avoided Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. I’ve given Captain Beefheart a go and, if I’m in the right mood, I’ve kind of enjoyed the bits I’ve listened to. However it’s not always what I actually want to listen to so I have just put the Mothers in the same bucket and left well alone.

 It wasn’t entirely what I expected on the first listen. I thought there would be constant shifts in tempo, sounds and arrangement within each song, but I wasn’t expecting it to be so heavily rooted in garage blues rock. I kind of got into the swing of it by the 2nd half, I started to enjoy the grooves and was happy to expect any old shit to happen at any time. Second time around I liked it a bit more, I suppose I dropped all my expectations and a bit of familiarity with the twists and turns helped. I genuinely started to enjoy this and maybe even started to ‘get’ it after the 3rd listen. Whether you do or not I guess would depend on your expectations and appetite or tolerance for the deliberately surrealistic and avant garden elements tacked onto the slightly generic mid 60s blues rock foundations. It definitely got better and a lot more interesting with repeated listens, so much so that some of the more ‘straight’ rock songs became less appealing and the more experimental art rock aspects of it were what I wanted to hear more of. I do think you have to listen to it in the spirit in which it was made and intended. It’s deliberately non conformist and unconventional, which I ended up really liking for some reason. It’s great that someone imagined this and then made it and built a career out of it, there’s a lot to be said for people with a singular vision that are able to realise that vision. Clearly it’s not for everyone and if you want to hear actual songs then this isn’t the place to go, but it’s given me a real interest in listening to more Zappa. I don’t think I totally get it but I’m into it - I’m glad this came up in the list, I may never have listened to it otherwise. Tempted to go 4 but will go for a high 3 ⭐⭐⭐️

This is early Frank Zappa. You can certainly see what is going to come.

glad to have a zappa record on the list. few catchy toons, Trouble every day probably favorite.

Fun and a bit edgier than I think of for 60s music. Solid jams, gets ya in a psychedelic groove.

Yeah good, I wish I liked Frank Zappa more than I do, there is some great songs on here definitely but also a lot I don't feel needs another listen.

Malgré quelques indices, cet album m’a paru difficile à dater, d’une énergie décontractée et un peu rebelle

There's really only 1 5-star album from Zappa/Mothers for me, and that's "Overnite Sensation". This one was interesting and important but I am not going to seek it out again anytime soon.

Debut album de ce groupe rock. Un des premeir cocnepts albums de musique rock, grande variété de style. Frank Zappa était là-dedans. Moins hype que je pensais, c'est doux.

33% Freakin’ great, 33% Freakin’ obvious, 33% Freakin’ awful. 1% lost in the post.

they did, i didn't

This was very interesting, I could have done without all of the talking.

weird, quirky and avant-garde music with an offbeat sense of humor throughout. without frank zappa and the mothers of invention, you wouldn’t have bands such as ween, primus, and mr. bungle. certainly an acquired taste, and i admittedly would have to be in the right mood to listen to this type of music.

Weird to be weird. Had its moments, though.

So I guess I must love Frank Zappa? Is this where we are now? Actually, "love" is a strong word here. Hell, "like" is too strong a word. The more accurate description is to say I clearly appreciate or even admire Frank Zappa. You sort of need to be in the right mood for this, but I'll go so far as to brand it essential. This would have been an absolute trip to see performed live.

O pretenso conceito não foi percebido por mim. Só que garantiu uma hora de rock envolvente.

some good songs :)

Kinda weird, I wouldn't listen by choice but I didnt hate it

Crazy

Some hits and misses for me. Impressive for the time. 3.5/5

не оч, хоть Заппа и считается легендой

Creative- lots of very different musical styles.

Een aardige verzameling gekkigheid, het ene is wat beter geslaagd dan het andere. Maar zonder een experiment op z'n tijd komt de mensheid ook niet verder.

Do you remember that episode of The Simpsons when Homer becomes a hippy obsessed with "freaking out" people? This album is the musical equivalent. It's hard to judge this album from 2024. On one hand, their nonconformist lyrics and attitude were probably revolutionary in the late 1960s, but the trope is pretty much dead today. I do appreciate how the band is clearly goofing off and having fun throughout the album. I even found a few gems to add to my library, including "You Didn't Try to Call Me" and "Any Way the Wind Blows." Cool time capsule of raging against '60s conservatives.

Quite a mix of styles on this album, and a lot more than I expected. I wasn't familiar with the work and have to admit this wasn't quite what I expected when I saw it was from 1966. Overall enjoyable, and never descended into that sameness that a lot of albums do.

Not very memorable but inoffensive

Some songs I love, others I hate

Trouble Every Day was a good song. Interesting album, felt like a mix of psychedelic rock, classic rock, some jazz. Really finishing up weird with Help I'm a Rock and It Can't Happen here... 3 stars for me.

This album is hilariously trippy. Who ARE The Brain Police?!?! The end of the album certainly went off the rails... I was actually more entertained by this album than by other albums with similar eccentricity to them. The psychedelic stuff was good, and the weird stuff wasn't assaulting. Probably did enough for a 3.5, but I'm rounding down because there's no way I listen to this one again.

Feel like I’m either going to love or hate this because of Zappa. Love a good weird album but feel like he is weird to be weird. Idk maybe just me. Really enjoying the guitar work on the first track. Can’t tell if he’s making fun of doo-wop or whatever on “Go Cry on Someone Else’s Shoulder.” Help I’m a rock! The DC part where the keep repeating AC/DC part made me alol. So fucking weird. This album definitely has enough to keep me interested with its random ass commentary and noises. Not sure if it’s enough to bring me back though. So far I’ve liked the first album the most with Zappa.

The experimental stuff is far better than the filler. The bluesey songs are awful

The album is really nice and easy to listen and you can clearly see it contributes with different sounds to the era's style. I really enjoyed it, even though some songs feel like a fever dream. I know it must be the point, but what the fell are those two final songs. My favorite tracks would include "Hungry Freaks, Daddy", "Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder" and "Anyway The Wind Blows". It was great to listen something worthy from the 60s apart from the Beatles.

Hacendado ahh beatles

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride on drugs!

For whatever reason I have resisted listening to Frank Zappa in my life. I’m not sure I could name a song or recognize a tune as his. It’s certainly not that I was under the impression that this wasn’t musically impressive. It is. And it’s not that I was scared of it. It’s remarkably ahead of its time. Maybe it’s how much it reminds me of Gallagher or how much it seemed like kitsch. And it is kitschy. And I have liked kitschy music in the past (They Might Be Giants and even Tom Waits who ranks among one of my absolute favorites). But on the whole, while I enjoy the fact that this music exists and think that everyone could learn a lesson about their own self-seriousness from an album like this, I can’t imagine ever deliberately putting this music on. I’m glad I live in a world where Zappa has made an impact and I’m glad I finally was given a reason to give him a close listen. And I think I can close the book on the extraordinarily brief chapter on my relationship with the Mothers of Invention.

Edgy and satirical, a record which feels like a revolution is about to start. An important document but an album harder to truly enjoy now as time has passed.

Frequent musical brilliance, vocally inconsistent... started falling apart for me in the latter half, and by the end of the 12+ minute slog of the final song I felt nothing but irritation.

Weirdest shit I have ever listened to in my life, but I kinda in for it

very nice

I know what I'm getting into when I listen to a Mothers of Invention/Frank Zappa album. It's going to be weird, and I'm okay with that. I rarely seek it out, but I get enjoyment when I listen, but I like weird things.

cant really remind but enjoyable

2.5

The Mothers. Frank Zappa's band. This record is supposedly a concept record, poking fun at popular music and LA culture. It is also one of the first rock/pop double albums. Lots of doo-wop influence on here. Also some psychedelia sprinkled in which I appreciate. While there are some great tracks on here, I think it overstays its welcome just a little bit. Overall not bad. Does this count as proto-punk?

Wack

A hot, freaked out? debut that would set the basis for Zappa's ever-evolving sound in his career. I'll pretend I'm a 16 year old in 1966 popping this on the record player for the first time. How would I react to it? I have to imagine the barrier of appreciation for an album like this would be almost impossible to break through. It's easy to see the influence and admire it in retrospect, but honestly, I don't think I'd have been on the Zappa train back then. Either way, one thing's for certain...rock needs more kazoos.

I was not the biggest fan- it is definitely different. The music was too clashing. It was all over the place.

Canny enough. Very out there at times in a good way. I reckon I’d have loved these if I was kicking about in the 60s. Poppy, off beat, and weird, three big ticks for me. That said, a lot of it passed me by, very much of it’s time. Enjoyed it, probably wont be back.

Pretty unbelievable that this was released in 1966. Definitely interesting. Some of it a bit too out there for me I think but I didn't dislike it. The standout track was "trouble every day" Got pretty chaotic in the last few tracks!

Crazy but accessible, and one of the first double albums ever released. Not a zappahead so can't give this more than three. One of my partners favourite albums.

Something I've learned about 60's music from 1001 is that 1966 was around the time that things started getting weird. The first disc of this LP draws on twisted doowop and the second slides into avant-garde and noise which would be great if I was on LSD. I was hoping to hear more of the guitar playing Zappa put on display on the opening song, but that was that. It's easy to see how this could have influenced future musicians, but I'm unlikely to listen to it again.

The debut album from the brilliant and prolific Frank Zappa (over 60 studio albums and countless live, compilation and bootleg albums!). Zappa is one of my favourite artists but since this is his debut it only offers an inkling of his satirical and musical genius. This album throws in the kitchen sink with doo wop, art rock and musique concrète sound collages and maybe it's all a bit too much as it doesn't quite hit as well as many of his latter releases, many of which are 4-5 star albums for me. Its sacrlidge that Zappa only has two albums on this list though (Freak out and Hot Rats), they could have dumped a pile of mediocre Brit Pop and added a few more of his seminal works.

Okay but still a lot of 50’s influence in what is supposed to be a progressive rock album

Interesting, lively, good atmosphere

5/10

This band can do everything. Actually a fun and catchy album, more accessible than their jazz fusion stuff.

With a second album, the novelty of it is gone and rather annoying

Frank Zappa, felt to me a little boring, interesting guitars

Some annoying tracks towards the end but still some good stuff on this album

Glad I heard this, knew Trouble Every Day which is excellent. The rest is like an off-kilter Byrds album mixed with Buddy Holly or something. Probably won't listen in full again anytime soon

Zappa and The Mothers of Invention I don't love by any means but certainly appreciate what they did and their contribution to music and culture. This is probably their most well known, I'm guessing. It's definitely an interesting and fun to listen to. A bit long and not something I want to listen a ton, but worth checking in on every so often.

I don't know how to feel.

Freak Out! by The Mothers Of Invention is such a different album than you think Frank Zappa capable of. It sounds very contemporary for a 1966 release until you start to pick up different instruments and lyrics and then you get that it is indeed a Frank Zappa album. 3.5/5

This is about as good as an album like this can be. Problem is I still don’t really really like this style. Zappa is cool and I’m glad he pushed the boundaries of music in the way he did, it’s just a bit of a tough listen.

Certainly a debut that would come from Frank Zappa.

I appreciate the importance and technical artistry of Frank Zappa, but I don't actually enjoy his music very much.

Definitely weird but the melding of doo-wop and bluesy rock was interesting. There’s a lot to like here. 3 stars

This feels like an album that is clearly a joke album teasing doo-wop but at some point someone important took it too seriously and then through a series of comedic events ended up on this list. Kinda funny and silly. This is the type of experimental that suits me more. Strong sense of melody but also kazoo. 3

It's fine.

not always enjoyable to listen to but I will say that I’ve never heard anything like that. Suzy Creamcheese.

Up and down, round and round

*Fliss* Þetta er svo... æji.. Margt af þessu er alveg gott m.v. tímann en svo er þetta bara parody 😂. It can't happen here er alveg til að toppa málið 😂

Dit was behoorlijk bizar, maar ergens kon ik het ook best waarderen. Aantal nummers vliegen volledig de bocht uit, maar de rest was best ok.

Less freaky than most of their other albums let’s face it.

Divertido

Familiar sound but quirky

A bit silly but fun!

tongue-in-cheek but with a tight band, pretty good

Funkar väl.

better than the average 60s psychedelia but it looks like zappa took his time to truly find his weird feet.

Didn't freak out

Mostly very groovy

3.5 Some songs better than others, but overall really good.

Weird album, seemed like the 60’s version of Tenacious D. Funny to hear a couple of times, but didn’t fall in love with it.

Zappa is a genius, his band is great too and the influence on the prog rock genre is crystalclear. As an album itself, I think it is simply too long and unnecessary 'artsy'. It's not something you can listen to very often. Hence three stars from me.

"Freak Out!" by The Mothers of Invention is an album that leaves me feeling a bit underwhelmed. While it has its moments, overall I would give it a 2.5 out of 5 rating. To me, The Mothers of Invention sound like a poor man's Beatles knock-off, with their whimsical lyrics, catchy melodies, and psychedelic soundscapes. While I appreciate the effort that went into creating a concept album that explores themes of rebellion and counterculture, I can't help but feel like the execution falls flat. The album is a mishmash of different styles and sounds, with everything from doo-wop to avant-garde jazz thrown into the mix. While this eclecticism can be interesting at times, it often feels disjointed and unfocused. The production is also a bit rough around the edges, with some of the songs sounding thin and tinny. While this may have been intentional on the part of the band, it doesn't do much to enhance the listening experience. All that being said, there are a few standout tracks on the album. "Trouble Every Day" is a searing indictment of racism and police brutality that still resonates today, while "Hungry Freaks, Daddy" is a catchy, satirical romp that pokes fun at conformist culture. Overall, I would recommend "Freak Out!" to die-hard fans of 1960s psychedelic rock, but for casual listeners, there are better albums out there to explore. While The Mothers of Invention may have been influential in their day, their sound and style haven't aged particularly well, and their songwriting leaves a bit to be desired.

Skipped (below a 3)

Ykköslevy: Pojilla äänenmurros GjÖÖ miesmäinen bassoääni overly funny joke Kakkoslevy: HOLY MOTHERS OF INVENTION. hankala levy sulateltavaks nyt tulee kinkkinen 3 hankala sanoa pää ihan mutrulla tästä... voi voi..

It was good.

No thanks

Frank Zappa leads a wacky acid rock performance mixed with parodic doo-wop that sometimes reminds me a lot of Disraeli Gears, yet this came out first. It's innovative and passionate, but there's a lot of filler in the middle, and I find the vocal style to be a bit too repetitive. Most of the tracks were pretty good but didn't interest me much besides the random injections and hit-or-miss lyrics. I really liked the chaos of the last 3 tracks.

It was fun but it didn’t grip me. Will listen again.

I liked some of this. Some of it (particularly the last song) was a little much though. 3.5 rounded down

Oh, Mothers.

This has never been one of my favorite Zappa albums. It’s probably the one I’ve listened to the least over the years, but this listen was a bit of a surprise for me. I’ve warmed to it a bit. It’s still hard for me to imagine this finding it’s way onto my stereo more than a couple more times before I die, but it’s more of a possibility today than it would have been before the latest listen.

“We’re satirists, and we’re out to satirize everything.” - FZ

It’s too avant-garde for me but I do appreciate the musicianship and the influence this album had on many artists. Not sure I’ll revisit that often though.

I suppose this cover is truth in advertising. This was an interesting listen, but ultimately it was a little too much of a FREAK OUT for me. I got very tired of some of this… the strange mix of doo-wop and psychedelia… the rambly lyrics that felt like they were being made up as they went along… the songs that felt like they might have been fun to make but not really to listen to. A lot of the songs had me wondering if I hadn’t accidentally skipped backward and replayed earlier tracks. The musicianship was good and there were some parts I liked, but this isn’t something I’m excited to revisit any time soon. Kind of a 2.5 for me - but it is weird so I’ll round that up.

Jú, mjög frumlegt og ekki leiðinlegt, en ég er ekki beinlínis æstur í að henda henni aftur á óeiginlegan fóninn.

Am I crazy or is this album kind of good? I didn't care for the random weirdness near the end (I was afraid the whole album would be this sort of stuff). The album was a bit too long in general, but I did enjoy a lot of it.

Rock experimental de Zappa. No me ha hecho mucho. Ni fu ni fa.

Divertido.

I wanna like it more than I do. It's kinda nuts they got seemingly carte blanche to do mostly whatever they want. Concept album for sure, but unfortunately it's not "fun" to listen to. I'm into experimental and weird shit, but I dunno... maybe I just need to get drunk or do drugs.

There were some songs that were ok. But, towards the end of the album when the acid was really kicking in...(Cause yes this album was written in one sitting and recorded in one take) were just vomit.

Divertido

weird

Очень неоднородно и очень интересно я хз, надо переслушать еще пару раз, но где-то хотелось хлопать, а где-то уснуть

Вообще я кажется начинаю понимать свои уши, что им нравится, а что нет. Так вот: я отвратительно переношу абсолютное непопадние вокала в мелодическую линию. Естественно в качестве украшений могут быть использованы всякие мелизм и тд, это ладно. Ну или может это стилистически оправданная техника пения, речитатив или что-то ещё. Но блин, когда человек тупо мимо нот поёт... та ну его этого недовокалиста. Собственно, первый трек меня сначала выбил из колеи. Это было очень тяжело слушать; в то же время, мне очень понравился звук... хз, что это такое, больше всего напоминало детскую или собачью пищалку, но скорее всего, это что-то из духовых инструментов. А потом стало лучше. Сильно лучше. Где-то это был обычный блюз, где-то уходило в хард-рок. В Wowie Zowie прикололся с ксилофона (кажется), песенка из мультика будто. Корооооче, я в общем несколько раз этот альбом послушал, потому что мне тяжело оформить какое-то однородное и понятное мнение. Альбом многогранный: каждый трек на нём можно слушать отдельно от всех остальных; причём, как оказалось, это же и была задумка авторов. Есть раздражающие вещи, есть невероятно потрясающие аранжировки (ловлю кайф с духовых), но чёт не цепляет совсем. Может быть, сейчас не подошло по настроению. А может стоит послушать более позднего Заппу. О, а потом был последний трек; традиция какая-то - пилить последние треки подольше. Сначала я подумал, что у меня вообще какая-то трепчина включилась: клубный биточек, синтезатор (очень похожий на терменвокс), семплированый голос ребёнка. И это превратилось в какую-то пытку абстракцией. Я вот несколько альбомов назад обижался на Kraftwerk, говорил, что я не понимаю их уровень абстракции. Как оказалось, там смыслов и композиции в песнях побольше было. Трек идёт 12 минут, можно было бы сделать укороченную версию Cop shoot cop. Но нет, развитие "The Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet" приводит в какие-то джунгли. А дальше вообще какая-то порнуха и Чип и Дейл. Блин, ну всё впечатление от альбома испортилось. И всё из-за финального трека. Вывод: финальный трек решает. 2.5/5 ->3/5

What can I say... I get the shtick, but I would've liked it to be at least a bit more enjoyable to listen to. With that said, I can still appreciate the utter absurdity of it all. Let's call it 3.

I need to spend more time with Frank Zappa. I hear from many people whose opinions and views on music I admire and respect that Frank Zappa is one of their favorite musical artists. In all honesty, his stuff has yet to click with me. It's not that I don't hear how innovative and great he is; it's just that as a matter of personal preference I have not yet heard anything that draws me in. I'll keep trying.

наконец знаю каверы на кого слушала) концептуально

Freak Out! was new music for me. I have heard some of Frank Zappa's work, but The Mothers of Invention is only familiar to me by name at best. I don't know what to really expect from Zappa. Some of the do-wop / 50s sounding tracks were a surprise. Overall the album was okay, and good enough for listening through once. There were only a few tracks that were dipping below 3 stars - the multi-movement tracks that make up nearly all of the second record (sides 3 and 4 - about 44% of the total music recorded). Rounding up, I guess the album can have 3 stars.

Entertaining, not in the way that I’d listen to it very often, but that I enjoyed it listening the first time through. Definitely memorable, sometimes in a good way, sometimes not so much. They made the album they wanted to make and it came out probably exactly the way they liked. Wasn’t completely for me, but I liked some of it. 3/5

Weird AF, but liked it probably more than I shouldve

Has its place on here

2 in a row from 1966, how lucky. Ok so all things considered, that wasn't bad at all. Musically it was pretty strong, it had the psychedelic vibe but also a good amount of rockin and was full of melody, if a little silly (kazoo?!). Lyrically it was somewhere between daft and cliche - yes we get it, society and normies, what's THE DEAL with them? I dunno, maybe these were hotter takes at the time. Realistically, if this had been kept to 40min it would be a 4. But an hour was a bigger ask. 3/5.

It sounds like it should be listened to on vinyl while it's raining outside with incense burning.

Pretty good

still a weird album

Ça tombe dans mes cordes, mais c'est inégal. Ya des chansons plus intéressantes, et d'autres qui tombent dans la formule. Ça ressemble à la version Wish de The Doors.

Zappa's first outing is just as weird and surreal as one would expect. Unfortunately, advanced knowledge of cultural touchstones prevalent at the time of release are necessary to truly appreciate this album.

This is my second time listening to this album, and it did grow on me from the first time. However, the (purposefully) bad singing still prevents this rating from being higher. Favorite track: Motherly Love

This is my second Zappa album of my last three. I did not like much of Hot Rats, but Freak Out I did enjoy. It has some actual melodies and pop song structures. I especially like the doo wop elements in a few of the songs. 3.5 stars

Super weird but fun.

meh

Enjoyable

I like the fact that this album exists - though not sure how much I want to listen to it again!

I don't know, it's different, deliberately so, so I want to rate it higher, however apart from nodding along doesn't grab me at all. 3. but an interesting 3

Sounds like the Beatles if they did more drugs. Very experimental rock, the last track is 12 minutes long with no discernable lyrics, but more listenable than Revolution 9. Overall there was some decent music, lyrically he was making some political and artistic statements.

Good

Mothers of Invention Ah, some Zappa. Don’t like the monotone singing (even being intentional, it’s annoying). The rhythm and tempo changes are definitely interesting, however, and I can see glimpses of the musical genius in here. Unfortunately, a lot of that genius is hidden under layers of weirdness masquerading as genius, and separating the genius from the mere idiosyncrasies is often a difficult task. Ultimately, while I appreciate the innovation, I don’t like to listen to most of it, so I can’t really give it that high of a rating. The guitar work is often really, really good though, and the moments everything comes together and works, it’s a trip (in a good way). Top Tracks: - Hungry Freaks, Daddy – A good balance of weirdness and actual cool music - Trouble Every Day – One of the better white blues songs I’ve heard. - Help, I’m a Rock – Delightfully weird. I’m glad the reissues separated “It Can’t Happen Here” because it’s better without that section.

Very important album and musically brilliant. Just not as enjoyable to listen to as I’d hoped.

what a strange assortment of sounds, interesting and really weird at the same time. Kind of a fun album but not something I would find myself listening to a lot

clever record that i don't find myself revisiting often

They sound like a bunch of monkeys trying to create music, both in a good way and a bad way. It's a mess that is while inventive, mostly annoying to listen to. I didn't freak out throughout the hour long journey, but return of the Son of Monster Magnet? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

5/10. Kinda cool, kinda annoying, bit too long.

Rock experimental de Zappa. No me ha hecho mucho. Ni fu ni fa.

Mad and fun early trippy experimental rock with cool moments

Some cool riffs

Early Zappa/Mothers output was a hairy, drooling, lumbering beast. I guess to some extent, all of Zappa's discography was a meandering cacophony, but there was a more honed edge to all the silliness once the band abandoned its hippie freak mockery and doo-wop parodying for something more akin to progressive rock and jazz fusion. Whatever loose narrative threads this album has, it doesn't hold a candle to Joe's Garage. That being said, this sloppy mess is still better than probably 90% of the albums on this list.

El naixement de l'art-rock. Aquí perpretat per un artista autèntic, però donant vida a un génere que tan mal farà a la música amb pseudoartistes sense inspiració al llarg de les décades. A 'Freak Out' l'experimentació està feta amb sentit i enganxa a l'oient, tot i que el disc va perdent frescura amb el minutatge. Els últims temes, ja de pura experimentació, estan lluny del que Zappa podia donar de sí, com demostraria en obres posteriors

Glad I heard this, knew Trouble Every Day which is excellent. The rest is like an off-kilter Byrds album mixed with Buddy Holly or something. Probably won't listen in full again anytime soon

Started listening. Couldn’t finish but Zappa likes that I can’t access it.

This is tough one. I find Zappa undercuts his ability to rock with being willfully clever. And it was apparent from this first album. I like that the band is a pretty good 60s garage band, and the garage rock (Motherly Love) or doo-wop (Go Cry On Someone Else's Shoulder) influences are fun. The satirical content is high, although the creeping misogyny sits poorly. The whole thing could use a tighter edit (even Zappa agreed that The Return of The Son of Monster Magnet is unfinished). I guess it was pretty innovative at the time to include cut-ups and musique concrete, and even satire in rock was new, but I still find it hard to sit through sometimes. It's hard to dance to, you know? Too much talk, not enough trousers.

Not bad. A bit whacky, but with Zappa at the helm why not.

I can appreciate Zappa, but I don't really enjoy it.

Tambourines, xylophone, a groovy guitar solo, piano, and all in the first track! Ah, yes and commentary of Johnson's "Great Society" which at the time with all of its popularity was not without its detractors. The education system did not necessarily veer from the industrial revolution model from which it was built, and much of the education turned into testing and score based models, becoming the new discrimination. Why is this album on 1001? The answer of course is purely subjective in this now massive group project, but the answer here that justifies its place on the list is the obvious social contribution given the year it was released. Post-Kennedy and pre-Vietnam, this band was deep in the socially aggressive change of the Civil Rights Era, a massive political transformation that included Equal Rights, Voting Rights, etc. all things that at the time and still today have had various opinions as to whether good or bad. While the lot of us in the time of 1001 have the gift of history to make such determinations, it is important to hear the perspectives of the people who were there, and this album is a bit on the nose with it in "Hungry Freaks, Daddy". Musically, the album is token 60s, but the recording available on Spotify is really good, still having a vintage sound but with a modern clarity. The compositions are complex and fun, while the lyrics are seemingly humorous and just sort of out there. Overall, this album has significant history along with The Mothers Of Invention and Frank Zappa, and for that reason(s) an educational listen is worth the time spent.

70s classic rock still rings true.

Andre versjonen av help, I'm a rock eg høyre no, og begge e ganske plagsomme Ellers ikkje så minneverdig + for Frank Zappa

I don't know, seems like a bunch of mates are singing songs together. Maybe if I had been in a different mode

it is alright

psychadelic rock, not my fav.

Huh! That was fun in a subversive way. As for the number of unrequited/rejected/betrayed love songs...

Ok, I know that Frank Zappa isn't for everybody, but those that like him enjoy this album. If you don't like him, you probably haven't heard enough to get to know him. This isn't one of my favorite Zappa albums, but I do enjoy it. I think Hungry Freaks, Daddy is a great opening song. I almost feel like it's a rip off of the Rolling Stones but still very good. I Ain't Got No Heart... to give away. Girl, you better go away. :) Who Are the Brain Police? I love the cadence of the song. Go Cry on Somebody's Else's Shoulder. A bit too much 50's doo-wop for me. But, it's enjoyable. 50s style with lyrics that are not what you would hear in a 50's doo wop ballad! I like Motherly Love as well. Good message. How Could I Be Such a Fool? Again, heartbreak. What was he going through when this album was written. I personally don't know him well enough to know but he definitely seems jaded. Wowie Zowie... eh, ok... the cheesy chorus isn't for me, but the rest of the song is acceptable. You Didn't Try to Call Me. Tell me who's loving you now? cos it worries my mind - I can't sleep at all... I think we have all been THERE. Especially guys... She didn't try to call. Why? Doesn't she think of me the way I'm thinking of her? No.... she's moved on... Dudes need to get over it! Anyway the Wind Blows. It's just a good song...short and to the point. I'm Not Satisfied. A bit of Zappa humor in this one. No love left to give... Haven't we heard that before? Wait, what about the... it sounds like Hungry Freaks, Daddy again... ok, maybe not.. but, maybe... :) You're Probably Wondering Why. So am I. LOL. YEAH. Ok, this song has no real melody at times, then it does... That's Zappa. Is that a Kazoo I hear? why, yes it is! Trouble Every Day. Probably the one song that is just there. At least for me. Hello I'm a Rock / It Can't Happen (Suite in Three Movements). This is what Zappa is all about. Those jazz-rock-related, long drawn-out pieces of interesting sounds and lyrics.... Just enjoy it. And yes, the Zappa continues with " The Return of the Son of Monster" Go with the flow...enjoy it. The first half of the album is more memorable than the second half but the entire project is such an experience. Glad I got to spend the day listening to it! 3.5/5 (what did you expect a 5/5?)

pretty good for the time

Partially listenable, but mostly boring

Funny album. I didn't know this group before

Dios salve al progresivo.

First time listen enjoyed it

Swag….

Kyllähän tuon kuunteli läpi ilman suurempaa tuskaa. Kolmonen on aavistuksen yläkanttiin mutta menköön.

What a twisted psychedelia! Sometimes hilarious, sometimes clever. I enjoyed some songs , but don’t know what to do with the last two tracks…

Weird. 6/10

3.5

I honestly am having difficulty rating this one. I definitely think I enjoyed it, but man, it is not an easy listen. Weird and off-putting and hilarious and full of talent. Zappa do be Zappa.

This was good. Probably just misses out on a 4 though.

Parts funny, parts zany, definitely a product of its time but hard not to get swept up in the atmosphere of it.

Be patient while listening to this album. The higher the number of the song, the better the song is.

Standard Frank Zappa

Such a crazy album, you can feel the overall *freedom* of it. This is "experimental rock" back when there were real experiments in music. Nowadays the term is used very liberally at times. Zappa was a motherfreaking genius.

Interesting but wierd…I mean…it is Frank Zappa..

Dit klinkt meteen leuk, met het stereo effect van mijn vaders oude Beatles album, haha. Het nummer "Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder" klinkt ook echt Beatles vind ik. Zang is natuurlijk belabberd maar je moet dit soort bandjes niet al te serieus nemen volgens mij. Muzikaal vind ik het wel heel erg geinig. Is dat nou een xylofoon die ik daar hoor? In ieder geval zo'n kinderspeelgoed toetertje, haha. Het swingt wel! Joehoeeeeee!! Ik vind "Ain't Got No Heart" wel leuk. Op de een of andere manier ging ik hier ineens naar de tekst luisteren: "Why should I be stuck with you. Just not what I want to do." Helaas zijn nummer als "Who Are The Brain Police?" weer niet om aan te horen. Sterretje minder en NEXT >>.

Some nice songs, interesting sound, but the last two tracks are too avant-garde and psychedelic.

Ok

Musically, is an amazing album. Hearing crazy, gritty guitars and vocals, followed by doo wop is a wild journey. Love it.

what a trip!

Too 80s for my vibes

Enjoy the psychedelic nature of the album and the 50's doo-wop jokes, reminds me a lot of Piper at the Gates of Dawn, singing is kind of irritating but flows well with the sound of the album, Great debut. Stand outs: Hungry Freaks, Daddy, Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder, Wowie Zowie,

Pretty wild for it's time. Decent enough, but not one that I'll listen to often.

Psicodelia con algunas buenas melodías

Je connaissais, c’est bon et bien eclaté. 3.75

I’ve come to realize I’m really not a fan of albums that are more than 50 minutes long. But I did enjoy the music in this one

decent album

60’er rock, Frank Zappa, koncept-album, satirisk, psykedelisk

Not bad but not good. Wierd is the best word I could use to describe this album. Read on Wikipedia that Zappa is the frontman of this group which makes sense. I could imagine this gets better with each listen.

I really didn't get this one. I can appreciate it for being a pioneer of early psychedelic rock, but 50 years later it is hard to listen to.

I understand why this is on the list. What they're doing here was way ahead of its time, and you can hear how much this album would go on to influence later music. That doesn't necessarily make it something I enjoy listening to, though. I can appreciate what they were doing and the place this album holds in music history, but it's hardly something I would seek out for my own listening enjoyment.

I can’t place why I don’t like Zappa so I texted Sean and he said ‘he’s kind of a smug bitch’ and I think that’s exactly it. Oddly, Ween is one of my favorite bands and they basically do the same mocking pastiche thing Zappa does. They don’t seem smug about it tho, there seems to be more affection for the source material. I think that makes all the difference. I will acknowledge this does sound really good for 1966.

I found this interesting, if not actually very pleasant to listen to.

I guess I appreciate that Zappa went balls out to make his records weird, but I just don’t enjoy listening to them.

Baustelle, Gerstetten, Deutschland. Ist mir zu weird.

2.07

By trolls, for trolls It wore a bit thin as it went on. 2

I was previously familiar with Frank Zappa and the Mothers, and probably heard this album before. It is strange, as is typical of Zappa/Mothers material. This album touches on several genres but is rock at its core. As with other Zappa material, this is an acquired taste. I could imagine that this would turn many people off. It is a difficult listen for me. I would really have to be in the mood to listen to this again.

started off weird. the middle was pretty good. and then the end was SO weird and experimental. cool to hear those early, early rock thoughts.

4/10… experimental rock / *1966

I was weirded out until I recognized Frank Zappa. Then at least I knew what it was. Some of his stuff I really liked, but I couldn't listen to this with anything more positive than fascination.

This was a weird one. Rock of the 60/70s

Die letste 15min maximalst verwirrt. Iwie ja scho lustig. Muss aber nöd si

What the fuck is this?? I appreciate that it was 100% pioneering for its day, which is pretty cool, but I can't get on board with the satirical nature of it. I like some of the soundscapes, which are pretty cool.. but it's very abrasive. Maybe I need to give it some more listens for it to click

It's alright, a little annoying because of the general wackiness, not particularly weird despite what other reviews say 🤷‍♂️ okay got a bit weirder later...

I like Zappa, BUT i don’t fancy his humor stuff. Of course humor is quite often present in his songs but at least maybe in later albums it was pari of more ambitious musical context. To me this is Zappa at his worst. The other star is mostly because it’s Zappa.

On its time this most likely would have been more impressive experience for me. Now 60 years later this is just album with outdated weirdness and overall approach. Regardless of that I kinda like this worth of two stars.

Really not my jam

Too trippy and bizarre for me. It's the sort of 60s music that I actively dislike. I say music but it's not very "musical" at all. The first few tracks I actively disliked, but then I guess the rest were somewhat listenable - though again, I'm not a fan of "satire" albums. My fav was "Any Way the Wind Blows" 2/5

This album is very of it's time. They seem to be rebelling in the way a moody teenager would... they are lashing out at the only thing they know. The doo-wop songs are pretty mean-spirited. There are some ok musical ideas, but this isn't for me.

i get what its going for but sorry frank this one doesnt hit the target

I know this is a Zappa production that is well loved by a specific group of music nerds, but I unfortunately do not "get it" enough to be in that group (which must comprise, in my mind, of intersecting Ween and Beach Boys enjoyers). I just did not have the patience for this, nor do I have the patience for this kind of trolling music basically ever. I understand what an album like this is trying to do, but it's just not for me. The whole time I was listening, I was picturing the person at my local karaoke spot who would absolutely attempt any one of these songs and how not funny it would be. So yeah, this one just kind of irritated me...bummer. 1.5/5 Favorite tracks (if you could even call them that): Any Way The Wind Blows, Trouble Every Day

Understand why it is on this list but not really my thing.

This is the band of Frank Zappa! In all honesty, I don't know who Frank Zappa is, except that (1) Weird Al did a song based on him and (2) his kid is named Moon Unit, and they are usually credited with popularizing the "Valley Girl" sociolinguistic stereotype (except nowadays, most students have never even heard of this stereotype, so really I can throw out all my Frank Zappa knowledge). It seems Frank Zappa is a pretty weird guy. Good for him, I guess, but I'm not getting anything from listening to this. Maybe you had to be there. I bet he inspired Maureen from "Rent".

Felt like I was listening to an improv class that took too many drugs Is Susie Creamcheese okay?

I did not get irritated by this album the way I did the other album I had, which was their second. This one was actually listenable for most of it. At the end it started getting a little off the rails for me. I'm gonna come right out and say I just don't get them or get Frank Zappa, and at this point in my life, I don't mind. There might have been a time I felt like I was missing something or missing out not getting in them/him, but not any longer. It definitely belongs on this list as an album you need to hear because of the influence it would have on later artists is very present ( as other reviewers have said) but, its not on the list of albums you need to hear TWICE.

A bit wacky at times, and the lyrics aren’t always great. Which is such a shame as I love the psychedelic vice. High 2

Frank Zappa has the worst kind of intelligence for me. Sneering and condescending. It sours everything he does. This record had loads of really decent music in it, but I can't get past being looked at down somebody's nose