SLEEP DIRT

This review is for the CD version, with the vocals added to some tracks. This album is a very mixed bag. The instramental songs are all spectacular. Unfortunatly, the songs with vocals are not. The vocals really drag the songs down. First of all, i dont care for the singer. And the vocals seem to follow the melody, for the most part, and really add nothing new to the songs. Also, the lyrics are not the most interesting. But, enough of what is bad about this album. Let's get to the good stuff.

The instrumentals really steal the show. All four are soild songs, with three of them being fantastic, and two boarder classics. Filthy Habits is a wonderful song. Great guitars, fantastic drum work, all the ingrediants of a great song. Also, everything seems to flow seemlessly. Great stuff! Next is the majestic Regyptian Strut. This song seems like it would be better suited on The Grand Wazoo, as its very much in vien of that style. Nevertheless, it is a wonderful song. It has a great majestic quality that is a nice touch. Again great playing by all. The next song (which is track six) is Sleep Dirt. A nice, short acustic piece. It is really interesting to Zappa's playing here, as it is differnt then most of his electric guitar work. The final piece on the ablum is the classic, The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution. This one is executed with the utmost percission. Starts off nice and "gentle" with great acustic guitar and bass (with one hell of a bass part). Over the course of the song, a musical journey is taken and at the end you wind up with Zappa's Electric guitar taking control. This song is a classic through and through.

Overall, this album is very good. Songs like, The Ocean Is the Ultimate Soulton, and Flithy Habits should not be missed. The songs with the vocals are presented much better on Lather (that is, without the vocals). Unfortunatly for Lather, the instumental songs are much better here. Don't dismiss the album just because of re-workings of a few song. A definate for Zappa fans, and a good idea for fans of guitar, or just great instrumental work. Recommended.