THE MAN FROM UTOPIA

This is, I think, a sorely under-rated title in the Zappa catalogue. Yes, it's true that this is eclectic and even unconventional (even for Zappa), but it really isn't as bad as many would have you believe. While versions of 'Sex' and 'Cocaine Decisions' are a little lack-lustre, the humorous tracks here are very funny ('The Radio is Broken'; 'The Dangerous Kitchen') and there are some well-produced, exciting and fun tracks drawing on everything from doo-wop ('Mary Lou') to 'prog rock' sensibilities ('Tink Walks Amok'). I, too, don't like Zappa when he becomes over-obsessive about panties and the like (I can't stand and don't own 'Joe's Garage', 'Sheik Yerbouti' and - yeeeech! - 'Tinseltown Rebellion'); however, I don't think this falls into the same category. I personally find 'Luigi and the Wise Guys' fun, even if I don't listen to it that much... Deserves 3 and a half stars minimum, but that's only because Zappa did so much great stuff... For anyone else, this would rate at least 4 stars...