THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION: UNCLE MEAT

Oh, 1969 was such a good jear for the RIO/ avant-garde movement: the Trout Mask Replica of Captain Beefheart and Uncle Meat of The Mothers of Invention. Both double-records may not miss in an avant-garde colletion! While the name of Rock in Opposition sets entry by Henry Cow, Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart surely fits into this genre by creating music going right in the oppisite direction of popular music. And the Mothers of Invention seem to have really enjoyed to make music as bizarre as possible and to joke with popular music. A trend wich was only followed by Supersister as far as I know.

In Uncle Meat the Mothers hired an avant-garde saxophonist which enhances the avant-garde experience in comparison with earlier records. I was a bit in trouble with the crazy voices when I started listening to this record, but I could overcome this problem because of many brilliant instrumental parts. It's quite incredible to see how many musical themes and rhythm changes the Mothers put forth in such a short time. Sometimes all musicians seem to have their own rhythms and the music still fits: this is quiet amazing! This music did broaden the spectrum of musical possibilies for sure!

Frank Zappa - the brain of the Mothers - succeeds at guitar and songwriting as never before and the product as a hole is really good. And then think the duration of this record is about 80 minutes!

Because this record is quiet accessible for the avant garde/ RIO movement I'll advise every progressive rock addict to try this one out!

For sure five stars!