THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION: OVER-NITE SENSATION

The ever-changing Frank Zappa shifted sounds and styles like no other during the '70s and Over-Nite Sensation was not an exception to that artistic approach. Featuring merely 7 songs and a total playtime of about 35 minutes, this release has been generally accepted as a good introduction album for anyone interested in exploring Zappa's discography. For me, this release marked my second step into the realms of Frank Zappa and it wasn't really what I expected after Chunga's Revenge! The biggest change this time around is that this is a very stable album that is based around the concert acts that Zappa and his band du jour were notorious for. The opening Camarillo Brillo is basically Over-Nite Sensation in a nutshell --- loud, energetic and filled with Zappa's famous humor. Unfortunately this was where I began to realize that this style really can get tiresome in length, even if we're talking about 35 minutes worth of material. There isn't really anything to tie these songs together other than the idea that this is how a Zappa performance could sound like if experienced live.

The style of these tunes is very accessible sound, featuring very straightforward song numbers but with a few touches of Zappa's typical challenging moments and unusual instrumental arrangements. The songs I like the most also so happen to be circling around other themes than those of immature sex jokes and/or social commentary, which in this case are only Fifty-Fifty and Montana. These are really the only moments where Zappa lets the music do the talking without having to rely on shocking imagery to satisfy the audience.

Over-Nite Sensation is probably one of the easiest albums to get into but that doesn't mean that you'll get a fair representation of what this artist was capable of. Even as an introduction album you'll probably be better off listening to Chunga's Revenge or any of the early The Mothers of Invention albums. As for this release, it's good, but I'd hesitate calling it essential.

***** star songs: Fifty-Fifty (6:09)

**** star songs: Camarillo Brillo (3:59) I'm The Slime (3:35) Dirty Love (2:59) Montana (6:35)

*** star songs: Zomby Woof (5:11) Dinah-Moe Humm (6:02)