STRICTLY PERSONAL

I think Captain Beefheart's Strictly personal is nice predecessor to amazing and unique Trout mask replica. It has a strong bluesy feel and some hints of what was coming next. Even though music here is pretty strong I think Bob Krasnow's production is quite horrible and the idea of putting Ah feel like ahcid reprises and sound effects after some songs doesn't always work. I think first side is clearly weaker than the second side. I first thought that the Captain's performance is a bit weak in some places but then I realised that it was horrible production values that weakened his vocal performance. Sound really isn't that crisp and clear Even though this is not as soulfully or energetically sunged as Trout mask replica Captain's vocals are actually quite spot on in some places and music is without doubt quite inventive.

Ah feel ahcid is a nice opener which starts with only vocals and builds up to the crunchy bluesy tune. I didn't like it at first but it has grown on me a lot. Safe as milk has a lot of energy, cool vocals but psychedelic effects and Ah feel like ahcid reprise reduce its power. Third song is one of the highlights on this album amazing Trust us. It has a lot of tempo changes, inventiveness and creativity. It's amazingly dynamic song. This time even sound effects are cool and Ah feel like ahcid snippet fits in quite well too. Son of mirror man- Mere man is the only song that I don't like on the album. It's quite clumsy musically. Not that it isn't well played it's just not very dynamic and memorable.

Second side opens with On tomorrow that is probably the closest thing to Trout mask replica on this record. It is also the closest thing to psychedelia on this record. While this record has many psychedelic effects I don't think this record has that dreamy atmosphere of many psychedelic records. Really nice little song and interestingly arranged. Beatle bones and smoking stones is quite dynamic song with a controversial reference to Beatles. Lyrics are quite good and song's start, stop and then start again musical nature appeals to me. Not as good as On tomorrow though. And then finally the last two songs of the album which are indeed highlights. Gimme dat harp boy has very strong bluesy feel and coolest riff on the album. Band is just jamming nicely. Kandy korn starts like a weird pop song but then it changes to the powerfull jamming tune that just becomes faster and faster. Drums are just insane on this song but Ah feel like ahcid reprise ruins the end. Not everything works on this album but it is indeed much better than just listenable. Not quite as mad or out of this world as Trout mask replica but still belongs to every Captain Beefheart collection.