ICE CREAM FOR CROW

"Ice Cream For Crow" was Don Van Vliet's final studio album before his retirement from the music business to concentrate on painting (or because of an undisclosed illness, depending on who you believe). It was not a bad way to leave. In my not so humble opinion, his last three albums were his mos consistently enjoyable.

this album starts off well, with the title track bouncing along with that angular, disjointed sound Beefheart had always seemed to enjoy, but never quite perfected until the "Shiny Beast" album. The fun continues with "The Host The Ghost The Most Holy-O". a call and response tune that either hoists a glass to or makes fun of religion, depending upon your perspective.

The remainder of the album continues in this vein, with Beefheart's odd poetry serving well over the band's regulated cacophany.

The only low point is "81' Poop Hatch", where the Captain discusses poop for a bit loger than I'd like to hear.