TROUT MASK REPLICA

Now here's an album I have to be very careful in reviewing. I don't agree at all with those that give it 1 star: it's not poor, nor is it for fans only, nor is it "good but non-essential". But I don't like it, so should my prejudice influence a review?

So many people have said that they've had to listen to this many times before they 'got' it and then it became one of their all time favourites. I was introduced to this by my elder brother many many years ago and have listened to it many times and for the most part I STILL DON'T GET IT!

But...on an intellectual level I know that it's not the mish-mash of badly played improvisation that it may seem. The band rehearsed and rehearsed this in semi-captivity. They could play it note perfect live by all accounts. And its influence goes on and on.

Personally I prefer the more accessible Beefheart stuff such as Clear Spot and even Shiny Beast (but I loathe the awful tameness of Bluejeans and Moonbeams).

Whatever you end up thinking about Trout Mask Replica you can't have an opinion unless you hear it so whether you end up buying, borrowing, downloading or copying it it has to be at least 4 stars. If one day I finally "get it" I'll upgrade it to 5