SAFE AS MILK

Beefheart's debut is still far removed from the dense avant-garde of his later works like Trout Mask and Lick My Decals Off Baby. This is harsh and rough stuff of course, but it still remains a very accessible collection of delicious Southern blues and 60's beat music. There's also an infectious psychedelic rock edge to it.

Some songs reveal the crazy avant-rock edge that Beefheart would explore later on. Dropout Boogie is a good example with an almost heavy rock groove. Catchy stuff. Electricity, Abba Zaba and Autumn's Child are other examples of more adventurous pieces. Other reviewers refer to Zappa's early albums for comparisons. It looks like I missed something there so an urgent visit to the library is called for. High time to single out a few more titles listed under 'Z'.

Essentially this is a great collection of poignant psychedelic blues rock, far more digestible then anything else the man put out but sure not any less in quality. Nothing that requires deep musical analysis, just a great and intense slab of pure dirty rock!