TROUT MASK REPLICA

A RIO classic before there was such a movement. An American classic, and a classic by any definition. One of the roots of later avant garde and experimental movements. And by any definition, an absolute masterpiece. Released in 1969, it was years ahead of its time, yet of its time. If you like your music smooth and pretty, this probably isn't for you. If you can't get past symphonic prog music, which 90% of prog listeners don't seem to be capable of, then this isn't for you either...go listen to your latest Genesis copy-cat band and leave this one for the big boys. At first listen, the music seems chaotic, raucous and a little insane. After you've had time to absorb it (and I don't understand why some people presume they are qualified to review a complex piece of music after they've heard it only once or twice), the realization comes that this is an intricately composed, brilliantly dissonant and extremely humorous music. Somewhere I read a funny article by one of the musicians in the Magic Band during these sessions, but I can't remember which one. He said that Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) composed all of the music on this album on the piano in about 8 hours, and spent the next several months constantly drilling his band on the compositions, occassionally isolating them and accusing them of trying to sabotage his music. What a character. I also understand the creation of this album led to his estrangement from his childhood friend Frank Zappa (who produced the album) who he felt wanted too much credit for the result. I've heard quite a few of his albums, but I think this is the definitive Beefheart recording and one of the icons of the late sixties.