AUTOMATIC

This is Dweezil's first album under his own name for nearly a decade, and is the first predominantly instrumental guitar album he has released. He is now working under the musical ideal of "Anything at Anytime for Any Reason at All", which has certainly meant that this album has many different ideas and approaches. In the sleeve notes, Dweezil says that he thinks that Frank would have enjoyed it, and I think he's right.

There are some very bizarre numbers such as "Shnook" and opener "Fwaktension" where Dweezil proves that he is one of the fastest guitarists around. He can also put rhythm into seemingly impossible time signatures, as well as letting his fingers fly off at tangents. There are also some more serene numbers that are actually cover versions, such as the all-guitar takes on "Hawaii Five-O" and "Les Toreadors". Possible one of the most typically Zappa-esque numbers has to be "You're A Mean One Mister Grinch" where brother Ahmet provides lead vocals. It rocks and moves with some great music behind the 'delicate' singing.

A great album filled with a sense of humour to just take the edge off what is quite a pretentious album. Wonderful.

originally appeared in Feedback #62, May 01