THE GRAND WAZOO

This is by far my favorite Frank Zappa album that I've yet heard as it avoids much of the sophomoric humor that make other songs and albums "old" and abrasive after one or two listens (this despite the underlying compositional genius and instrumental prowess of FZ and his always highly skilled bandmates). The Grand Wazoo feels like FZ proudly and simply putting on display his admirable songwriting/conducting genius, even showing a little more of his "humane" side with ample freedom for expression (improvisation) given to the contributions of his bandmates. This is an album that I enjoy returning to time and again. There is brilliance and astounding sophistication in FZ's music and yet it is so often trumped by the lyrical jokes. On The Grand Wazoo you get all of the former, front and center, and yet there is still plenty of joy and humor in the music itself--especially in the Cleetus and Calvin songs. Though I love hearing Frank shred on the guitar, and this album on puts that side of him on display on one song ("Eat that Question"), I so much prefer this type of music from the Mothers ensemble that I'll gladly sacrifice some of Frank's instrumental flare for the collective masterpiece of songs that he's produced for us here. As my journey into Frank's world continues to unfold I hope to find much more music like this, for that is what it will take to make me a fan.