Reply #6: Absolutely Free [View All]

That's the first one I heard-- when it was new, and I was a 13 year old pasty faced suburbanite twit. I already knew about Bob Dylan, but war and civil rights were (thankfully) somewhat remote from my own experience. Zappa, however, showed that similar mechanisms of social control and repression figured into things that *were* part of my environment, especially the mass media and the advertising that runs it all. And the music was all over the map: acid rock, surf music, doo-wop, lounge music, and fearless contemporary composition all morphed together. There was nothing like it before, and very little to match it even now.

I also like Over-Nite Sensation a lot, and Mothers Live at Fillmore East, they're kind of college kid party albums, the goofy stuff. Also much of Apostrophe. Sheik Yerbouti is an updated version.

Hot Rats, Waka/Jawaka and the guitar albums are Zappa's interpretation of jazz, or jam band music.

Zoot Allures is pretty much headbanger music. (Not my favorite.)

Uncle Meat, We're Only In It for the Money, Lumpy Gravy, Burnt Weeny Sandwich are more about pushing the envelope; save these for later.

My advice, and worth what you pay for it.