TROUT MASK REPLICA

As Frank Zappa would so elegantly put it: "If you get it, it's wonderful and it works for you. If you don't get it, don't feel too bad, because you probably weren't meant to get it in the first place." (Or something along those lines)

"Trout Mask Replica" is indeed a real piece of work. When one looks at the various grimy components that go into an album such as this (the honking guitars, the raucous wind and brass sections, the wickedly complex drums, the bizarre tempo changes, and of course, Beefheart's strained, dynamic vocals) one probably won't find anything that seems appealing at first glance. However, when taken in as a whole, the sound takes on a quality that is, if not pleasant, at least endearing to the dedicated listener. The tracks range in complexity from outlandish a capella to equally strange narrated avant-garde to noisy blues-rock pieces to lengthy jazz excursions. Though many of these songs share a similar timbre or compositional style, each track is completely unique and equal to its counterparts. Indeed, while I can safely say that nearly all good albums have at least one track that does not shine as brightly as the others, that is not the case with "Trout Mask Replica". Every song on this album (and there are quite a few) contributes equally to the whole, which is, in this reviewer's opinion, meant to be listened to all the way through.

But again I must warn you, that this album is not for everyone. The style of music offered here was not really intended for fans of progressive rock, but rather for the kind of people that good prog fans should be: those with open minds. "Trout Mask Replica" effectively demonstrates that good music should not simply be heard, but really listened to.