TROUT MASK REPLICA

All the things you hear about this album make you believe that this is some unlistenable stuff and an atrocity on the level of Metal Machine Music (not really knocking Metal Machine Music, I actually like that album very much) suitable only for serious critics, that will take at least a 100 listenes to crack, but really, it's nothing like that. The truth is, at its core Trout Mask Replica is just rock and roll played in an unusual way, with elements of free jazz mixed in, of course.

So what makes this an essential album and a masterpiece of all time, that I think it deserves the full five stars? Well, I try not to toss out 5 stars for every album I like, but TMR is just too amazing. How? Well, besides having one of the most original takes on the blues/rock and jazz genres, it's also one of the most entertaining albums of all time. People say the weirdness prevents it from being enjoyable, I say it helps it to be more fun. Too many times have I encountered music that, because it avoids taking risks, ends up being unoriginal and, more importantly, too boring. This, though, is really insanely enjoyable, and what with Beefheart's rough vocals that I absolutely love, the Magic Band's quirky music, and the hilarious and cool lyrics, it's such an awesome combination, you can't help but love it. Heck, some of it is even catchy.

So, anyway, that's what I think about this album, and I don't really see this album getting kicked out of my absolute favorites any time soon.