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Frank Zappa - The Mothers of Invention: We're Only in It for the Money CD (album) cover

THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION: WE'RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY

Frank Zappa

 

RIO/Avant-Prog

4.11 | 776 ratings

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mattmacneil
5 stars This was one of the first albums by The Mothers that I discovered, and I am addicted to it. I can't stop listening to this album, I love it!

Though coming short at only 40 minutes, the album displays The Mothers creative, weird, and quite funny style. The Album was a direct message about the corruption of the government at the time, and also making fun of the pop-culture (Surf Music especially).

The album opens up with "Are You hung Up?". It is a weird blend of whispering, various sound effects, and weird effects (though not so uncommon today), like echoing and phasing. No music in this track, just a very cool intro. The 2nd song, (or the first actual "song"), is "Who Needs Peace Corps". The main message is simply making fun of hippies and their ways. Nice music in this track though, the drumming is very nicely done, as are the rest of the instruments. Following that is "Concentration Moon", a weird blend of strange music and conversation. Halfway through the music stops and you hear almost undecipherable speaking (Like Most songs on this album). The song by itself is quite good, except the singing isn't very good, just off key and stuff. The next song,"Mom & Dad", is probably The most serious song, with no funny vocals or noises. This, like most songs, discusses the corrupted government. This talks about a young teenager being shot by cops in the park, which has been sung about by many artists during that era, (like Ohio, by CSNY). The song is great nonetheless, one of my favorites, just for the music. The Next couple of songs are Zappas silly weird songs. Starting the list is "Telephone Conversation", which is nothing more or less than, that. That goes into a short, 30- second long, 50's sounding song called "Bow Tie Daddy" its alright, nothing special on its own, but essential to the album. Now we're back to real songs, with "Harry, You're a Beast!", I'm saying the same thing over and over, but again, this is just a good song, the sound is similar to those 50/60's pop songs. The next is a famous song and question.."Whats The Ugliest Part of your body", a good funny zappa-esque song. I guess I shouldn't cover all the tracks, considering I'll be repeating myself, but, some essential, remarkable songs still remain. "Absolutely Free", is one of my favorites, it's an incredible song, you'll love it. The next is a favorite of mine, which some of my friends have called it "horribly irritating and unlistenable", it is "Flower Punk", a fast paced, high pitched (the pitch is literally increased, to give Zappa a helium-type voice). The song itself is in the exact same structure as Hendrix' famous tune, "Hey Joe"; instead, it's "Hey Punk", a funny song, especially the drums.

The next 2 songs I tend to skip. "Hot Poop", and "Nasal Retentive Calliope Music" are just noise, weird noise with some whispering and delay effects. A bunch of stuff to listen to if you're stoned. Also, a little interesting fact is that Eric Claptons voice is head during "Nasal REtentive Calliope Music"

Here come my favorites. "Lets Make the Water Turn Black", is a song about a family that Frank Zappa stayed with for a week or two when he was younger. Considering the lyrics, they were a very dysfunctional, messed up family. The lyrics explain it all. The Music in this song is outstanding, I can't get enough of it. This is probably my favorite, it's funny, and well played (Like most of his songs). Next, dealing with the same family concept is "the Idiot Bastard Son" My 2nd favorite; another serious song, no funny sounds or whispering. Again, it's about the Family Zappa stayed with. This is an essential song. The album wraps up with "Lonely Little Girl", "Take your clothes off when you dance", "Mother People", the reprise to "What's the Ugliest Part of your Body", "Mother People", and "The Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny". All Essential songs but I don't want to bore you.

If you like Zappa, pick this album right now, if you don't like Zappa, pick it up right now. This is his best album in my opinion, Everything balances out and makes this a perfect experience.

mattmacneil | 5/5 |

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