JOE'S GARAGE, ACTS I, II & III

This is quintessential Zappa as ROCK artist, no avant garde classical or even jazz, just good ol' rock 'n roll ... well, maybe not just; - it goes well past most peoples' idea of rock. A mini rock opera come social commentary and the best guitar solo you'll hear this side of heaven (or nirvana, or wherever the hell). I'm not a big fan of Zappa's "stupid songs" (his words), but even silly songs like "Why Does It Hurt When I Pee?" and "Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up" are absolutely brilliant! The title track starts off the music with a kind of 50's/60's kinda feel, which sort of places it in a context that is blown away towards the end; the ending is sorta in the future, because he's asking the question "what if" (like most good sci-fi). The story is about an ordinary guy (like you an' me??) who gets involved in music; now this music stuff is seen by government as "evil" and every little trick of government is used to get rid of it (hell you suckers in the USA know all about that - or ya soon well when Bush gets round to it!!) Anyway to cut a fine story short; Joe is thrown into prison for destroying an electric "auto-plooker" (sex toy) and gets plooked by all in sundry in the nick. To get through his ordeal he resorts to playing his "imaginary guitar solos" - this is where Zappa's best solos are showcased - "Outside Now", "Packard Goose" and last but NOT least is what is universally agreed to be his all time best Guitar solo (or ANYBODY's all time best!!) - "Watermelon in Easter Hay" - words can't come close to describing how beautiful, transcendant, gorgeous, (put your own superlative here). This Album is worth buying just for these solos, absolutely. Maybe not a masterpiece when taken as a whole album, but there are moments which are ESSENTIAL listening; so if I could I'd give it 4 and a half stars.