Who IS Frank Zappa

^ For me, I disagree. While the quality of his rock albums at that time went down a little, albums like You Are What You Is, Ship Arriving Too Late..., and Tinseltown Rebellion are great. Maybe a questionable song here or there, but I think they're classic albums. Man From Utopia, Them Or Us, and other 80s albums that came after are hit or miss for sure, but they do include those other classic tunes you mentioned.

Frank Zappa Meets The Mothers of Prevention is interesting because it mixes the rock tunes with synclavier pieces, and I think it's an interesting experiment. I also think those pieces are cool, so I like Jazz From Hell and The Perfect Stranger, which is what he was more focused on at that time anyway; the classical albums. London Symphony Orchestra sounds great, and features, IMO, a great rendition of Strictly Genteel.

Of course, I've always thought the '88 band was the best thing he did since the Roxy Band. All three albums are fire. I really hope the ZFT releases a new '88 band album, full of songs yet unreleased from that lineup.

I think I read about that. Is it the same lyrics??

Let's Move To Cleveland is a stand-out tune, it's like the 80s answer to King Kong.

Does Humor Belong In Music? is a very fun album. Great renditions of classics, some new songs, and overall great rock and jazz soloing going on. The versions of Zoot Allures and Trouble Every Day on there might be my new favorite versions. That album is one of those Zappa albums I listened to once when I first got into his music, but I was too focused on the 72-79 era that I completely overlooked it.

People rag on the 80s albums, but I think to appreciate them, you have to be a bit of a Zappa veteran of sorts, and for me, get tired of the mid-late 70s albums, and the 60s Mothers, and want more Zappa; as I find almost everything from the 80s in Zappa's catalog to be enjoyable. I always liked some stuff here and there, but never explored it deeply as I have been doing recently.

Daysbetween wrote: The only 2012 version that I have bought so far is Lather as I didn't already own it. Only realised after it arrived that it didn't have the bonus tracks  I do intend to buy more when funds allow but have vinyl & CD copies of most already.

Apparently, it has a slightly better sound than the 1996 Ryko with the cow on the cover. It's the only reason I'm eventually going to get it (also so I have all the 2012 reissues, 'cause I'm crazy).

I personally never listen to the bonus tracks anyway, as Knick-Knack People and Leather Goods are throwaway tracks, and Time Is Money is on Sleep Dirt. The remix of Regyptian Strut is nothing spectacular and could be throwaway too.


Edited by darkshade - February 10 2013 at 09:57

The only 2012 version that I have bought so far is Lather as I didn't already own it. Only realised after it arrived that it didn't have the bonus tracks  I do intend to buy more when funds allow but have vinyl & CD copies of most already.

I just bought my first Zappa 2012 reissue today: Hot Rats.  I don't think I've heard the vinyl mix since I was a child.  this should be fun.

You will eventually need to get a copy of Thing-Fish, for better or worse. Might as well get it now. Don't worry, it'll grow on ya.

Well I just bought Buffalo, I'll let you know what I think whence it arrives.

I'd say go ahead and get Thing-Fish then, since that's one of the few regular-catalog items you still don't have.  It's actually good in its own way.  You certainly haven't heard anything like it before.

I think Buffalo is one of the best live releases Zappa has ever done, up there with Helsinki and the '88 sets.  It's a '80 show with Vinnie on drums who absolutely tears.  On top of that, I think Zappa was at his peak as a guitar soloist around this time.  It's hard to compare to other live albums of course because it's a completely different stylistic focus than, say, the Roxy band, but for its time period, it's as great as you would expect and then some.