HOT RATS

This certainly cracks my top five Zappa albums. It sounds as though it was recorded just yesterday: the recording techniques are perfect. It shows a remarkably different style of music that Zappa had been leaning towards after recording Uncle Meat. If you enjoy jazz-fusion, this album may be the best started album to Frank Zappa's gigantic music catalogue.

The album starts off with a song that truly never sounds boring and old. "Peaches en Regalia". When the saxophones reach that climatic point in the middle of the song, it gives me chills every time. It's probably one of Zappa's most-known songs, and it really lives up to that status.

"Willie the Pimp" is great if you love Captain Beefheart and Zappa's soloing. The song is basically a elongated jam session with the band (of course, so is "Gumbo Variations"). If you love Zappa's guitar sound (like I do), you'll love this song.

Next we have "Son of Mr. Green Genes". This is 100% better than "Mr. Green Genes" off of Uncle Meat (although that's a good song, too). The speed up the tempo and basically jam to the main parts of the original song, and it really hits the nail on the head.

"Little Umbrellas" is definitely my least favorite track. In my opinion, there is nothing special here. It is probably the only song on the album that doesn't make me tap my foot. Some people really love it. I personally think they should have just had another jam track.

"Gumbo Variations" is genius. It's really only a jam session (as with a lot of this album), but it really hits the spot, especially if you like soloing. Nothing really to say other than "genius".

"It Must Be a Camel" sounds maybe the most like Zappa (that some are used to) on the album. Somewhat dissonant, yet cohesive. A great track (although I would have closed the album with something different, maybe "Son of Mr. Green Genes").

Overall, an amazing album, especially for jazz-fusion lovers (I'm a pretty big fan). Certainly deserves almost 5 stars.

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