October 26, 2010

Frank Zappa "Sheik Yerbouti" 1979 2xLP [7/10]



Sheik Yerbouti
, Zappa's 20th album, remains his best selling out of 62(!) albums.

"Some of you might not agree
'Cause you probably likes a lot of misery
But think a while and you will see...
Broken hearts are for assholes"

First listen:
Zappa in any era was experimental and goofy, but this album is hilarious. He somehow touches on pretty much every genre of music you can think of, but this is probably the most punk rock I've ever heard his meanderings. It's definitely not for everybody, and any album requires some concentration to really appreciate. A lot of people pass him off as random, and at some point it seems so, but Zappa is a master craftsman of the mad scientist variety, and also a very talented guitar player.

My pressing interestingly has Side 1 and 4 on one LP and 2 and 3 on another... each side ringing in at around 18 minutes of madness.

Side one has a whole lot of stuff on it (as does any one side of Zappa's collection) including Bob Dylan impressions, Peter Frampton "covers" and the above quoted "Broken Hearts are for Assholes" which is pretty self explanatory. 2 delves more into the unconventional with short spoken word quips between tracks (though nothing like on his early material like 1966's Freak Out!) Zappa has got himself a solid jam band which is well exemplified on the instrumental "Rat Tomago" and "The Sheik Yerbouti Tango." "Bobby Brown" is a brutally funny commentary on the hypersexuality of America which was banned in a few countries because of it's lyrics which I will not quote here...

"Tiny is as Tiny Does"

Side 3's "Dancin' Fool" hates on Disco, which, let's be honest, is totally ok.
Side 4's "Yo' Mama" is a 12 minute diss with a whole lotta guitar noodling.

There's a lot to absorb and I've been doing reviews of a lot of albums today so I obviously haven't done this album justice. But it's pretty awesome and I'm excited for more delving into it.

First listen:
Summary: Zappa mad hilarity
Best Track: Broken Hearts are for Assholes
Rating: [7/10]

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