THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION: ABSOLUTELY FREE

Freak Out! was legendary. Absolutely Free wasn't legendary, but then again, probably only because Freak Out! laid down the blueprints first. For those who didn't like Freak Out! should try Absolutely Free because, the melodies groovier in this album, and there's a lot more fusion-oriented jams and breaks on this album throughout all of the still-impressive satire. There are definitely a lot of refreshing time-signature changes and memorable melodies, mostly in the Duke of Prunes suite, and the Call Any Vegetable suite, the latter which Frank combined all 3 parts live. Solos happen often on this album, on Invocation And Ritual Dance of the Young Pumpkin, the clarinet and guitar solo over a 3/8 vamp and then smashing into a 4/4. Dare I say the melodies are better on Absolutely Free than on Freak Out? Call Any Vegetable and the Duke Of Prunes all segue into each of their 3 parts beautifully, hilariously, and all with the virtuoso playing unheard of for the time. The lyrics are still extremely intelligent from Plastic People to Uncle Bernie's Farm, both funny and insightful. Zappa wasn't afraid to speak his mind. Zappa also touches on bar music, and multiple part compositions. The bar music on the album are the two America Drinks tunes where Ray Collins croons about in a chaotic bar, America Drinks & Goes Home is a classic album closer. The real winner on this album is probably Brown Shoes Don't Make It, having around 10 parts which abruptly enter into eachother, and containing a story mixed with interlocking and exchanging melodies. Brown Shoes gave a hint as to what would come from Frank, and is maybe the first epic we know of? Anyways, if what you wanted from Freak Out! is less repitition and more playing, than Absolutely Free is for you. Or even if you like masterpieces (who doesn't), Absolutely Free is for you.

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