TROUT MASK REPLICA

A bizarre mix of blues and jazz. You'll love it or hate the s*** out of it or just think it's an interesting experience but not as mindblowing as some say it is, like I do. This album's very overrated (especially by elitists) but it grows on you. The best way to describe it is by saying that each member of the Magic Band plays a different, complex song at the same time, while Beefheart sings with his cool but overwhelming voice a bunch of weird lyrics. Beefheart somehow managed to make it sound like the guitars are playing each note at the right moment in which one would NOT expect them. The problem is that, well, it's a double album, and most songs sound the same so it can be really hard to listen to this. Also, this is way too weird sometimes and it stops being music and sounds a bit too noisy. The best stuff comes at the beginning (as usual with Beefheart's records), with things like the eomitonal 'Frownland' and the amazing 'Moonlight On Vermont'. Songs like 'Hair Pie, Bake 1' or 'The Blimp' are a bit too weird, while others like 'Ella Guru' (with great guitarwork), 'Moonlight In Vermont' and 'Pachuco Cadaver' are more accesible. The closest thing here to a "normal" song is the bluesy 'China Pig'. You must listen to this innovative album at least once in your life, but don't forget that there's more to Beefheart than this one. Some of his other records are more accesible and better, and they are a better way to get into his music.