THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION: OVER-NITE SENSATION

Frank's 1973 project, "Over-Nite Sensation", is truly his first taste of releasing commercially-appealing music. A relatively short album compared to his longer and more experimental works, this still has a ton of bang for it's buck. One of my very first Zappa albums, this still sounds clean and crisp every time I listen to it. However, the downside is that there is almost no traces of his earlier musical genius here. Albums like "We're Only In It For The Money" and "Waka/Jawaka" had at least some method behind the madness, while this just has music. Nothing more, just plain and simple songs.

"Camarillo Brillo" is a delightful little, almost pop music, song that has some fast rhythms and occasional guitar flare-ups and is very commercially appealing. "I'm The Slime" follows, and the commercial music train keeps rolling on. This song, which talks about the effects of watching too much television, doesn't feature any of the recognizable riffs that have filled Zappa's music up until this point. The riffs makes a return in "Fifty- Fifty", which features 4 minutes of the guitar bliss that we missed from Zappa in the first two tracks. However it is challenging enough to make it to the music section with Ricky Lancelotti's vocals making you want to tear your hair out. The vocals worked nice on "Wonderful Wino", but they completely kill the opening and ending of this song. "Zomby Woof" follows, and this is one of the most popular songs Zappa has ever done. If you asked 100 random people to name a Zappa song, I'm sure "Zomby Woof" would pop up a few times. One of the two great songs off of the album, in my opinion. This is the first taste of the "classic" Zappa sound, what with the excellent riffs and singing. "Dinah-Moe Humm" is completely pointless, the cliché Frank Zappa song about sex that must be included on all albums. Once again, no great guitar work kills the song. "Montana" is the perfect song to end the album, as it is the only song to feature a Zappa solo that lasts over 30 seconds. One of Zappa's best post-Chunga solos, this brigs the two sections of the song together and really makes it gel. Best song off of the album, hands down.

Overall, nobody can argue that this album is made up of seven awesome commercially successful songs. But of course, Zappa fans expect more that un-inspired commercially aimed songs. Zappa fans want musical genius around every corner, whether it comes in the form of singing, lyrics, or solos. This album does no justice to the excellent "The Grand Wazoo" that came before it.

3 stars, great for anybody but Zappa fans should do better than this.