HOT RATS

It's hard to pick a point of entry for an artist with such an extensive and ecclectic catalog of work as Frank Zappa, but if you are a fan of his or are looking to get into his music THIS ALBUM IS ESSENTIAL! It is the peak of his jazz/rock work. The album is almost entirely insrumental (with the exception of "Willie the Pimp"). The album is strong from beginning to end. I won't take the time to go track by track in my review. The album is full of great instrumental work and an excellent example of Zappa's prodigious guitar playing. This is a more serious approach to music than much of Zappa's other work (although the one track with vocals, complements of Captain Beefheart, is decidedly humorous), but it is really a must have for any fan of progressive music.