THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION: ABSOLUTELY FREE

I know titles as that one are rather polemic since ITOTCK is known as being the pioneer within progressive rock. But this album... this album is really miles ahead of it's time if you consider most of it's material was recorded in 1966 , a time where with the exeption of Bob Dylan no one put such in your face lyrics on vinyl. And the musical content is as Progresive as it gets combining elements of avant garde composers and jazz.

The record opens is divided in two suites , both of them criticice several aspects of the American Society.This fact makes this album timeless and with an average knowledge of English almost anyone around the world can identify with the subjects this record deals with. This is a major difference with the higlly revered We are only in it for the money which is harder for a guy like me who was born 20 years before the summer of love and very far away from California.

The CD version of this record features 2 numbers that Zappa thought as potential hit singles , Big Leg Emma and Why dontcha do my right. Both are average songs placed between the two suites and I don't count them as part of Absolutely Free. That being said , this record will move you from head to toes if you are willing for something unique and challenging. In my opinion the centerpieces of the record are the Duke of Prunes section and one of the first masterpieces by Zappa the haunting , Brown Shoes don't make it. Both tunes take the exprimentation the second side of Freak out had to a new level but as the compositions are tighter the record is much more enjoyable , also there is place for a long jam in the track Invocation and ritual dance of the young pumpkin , in which you can see all the talent those Mothers had. In addition to that , Brown shoes don't make it may be one of the first rock operas ( I hate that concept) this 7 minute track holds more progressive content that most of the bands on the site! And in 1967 , that's insane! The best Mothers of Invention album and one of FZ's highest achievements. Five stars without any doubt.

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