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Frank Zappa - Montana CD (album) cover

MONTANA

Frank Zappa

 

RIO/Avant-Prog

3.28 | 15 ratings

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Conor Fynes
Prog Reviewer
3 stars 'Montana' - Frank Zappa (Single)

One of Frank Zappa's best known songs, this song is a fine choice of single from his first truly 'accessible' album. Being able to merge his musical genius with some catchy melodies and a more constructed approach to music, 'Overnite Sensation' was a good, albeit flawed entrance for the man into the realm of mainstream. While many of the songs could have worked to introduce the listening crowd to Zappa's music just fine, 'Montana' is without a doubt, the highlight from that collection.

A song revolving around Zappa's apparent ambition to drop everything he's doing and start a dental floss industry in Montana, one can tell that this is not a 'serious' song by any stretch; the music is still fantastic however. If one can look past the lyrics (which are only amusing for the first handful of listens) one is gifted with a real gem. Big band instruments are coupled with traditional rock sounds to make a poppy, upbeat track that transcends genres.

As a second offering from this single, a less-memorable track from the same album is used. 'I'm The Slime' is one of the more sombre songs that I have heard Zappa play, although it's still certainly played much in jest. While the song is driven by spoken-word vocals from Zappa himself, the lyrics revolve around government and media control over the everyman. While the verses seem a bit uninteresting despite the interesting lyrical matter, a chorus fueled with strong female vocals kicks in which makes for a great climax to the song.

An interesting single; 'Montana' stands as being one of my preferred Zappa tracks.

Conor Fynes | 3/5 |

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