TROUT MASK REPLICA

I have to admit that hilarious cover art was one of the reasons I wanted to check out this one. I wasn't very familiar with Avant-Prog back when I got it (except for stuff like Henry Cow and Can) so it surely was a strange listen first time I heard it. I didn't truly enjoy it though but after a while I started to enjoy more of the stuff here, even though some song still remains weak. The music on the album could best be described as a mix of RIO, Delta-Blues and Free-Jazz with lot's of insanity (both lyrically and musically) and nonsenseical yet complex and flowing melodies. The musicianship is completely asymmetric (but excellent)and Beefheart's voice is completely on it's own over the arrangements, yet these guys manage to groove, in the most weird way that is. It sounds surprisingly structured while it's not in the slightest sense.

This is a bizarre and hard listen for many but it is a grower, and if you can appreciate this, then you can get Beefheart's other albums as well without worrying. If you wan't a challenge, try out this one. Just be open minded and don't take it too seriously. It's a complex and inaccessible album but if you like earlier Zappa or bands like Faust and Samla Mammas Manna you should enjoy this too! I'll give this 4 stars for it's uniqueness and nostalgic impact on this particular genre.