THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION: OVER-NITE SENSATION

Zappa seemed to be constantly reinventing his music. First there was the original Mothers Of Invention, playing twisted pop, experimental tunes, and bits of classical and jazz. Then there was his symphonic side, with albums like "Lumpy Gravy", and the orchestral sections of "200 Motels". There was the mostly comedy music with Flo & Eddie. Then he started his big band fusion phase, with "The Grand Wazoo" and "Waka Jawaka".

This album began Zappa's aggressive rock-jazz (because the rock side was more prominent) fusion. And, man-oh-man, what an album. With exceptional musicians, like Tom and Bruce Fowler, Ruth Underwood, Ralph Humphrey, even Jean-Luc Ponty, and more, Zappa created another work of perfection. Every song is a treasure, from Camarillo Brillo, where Humphrey is constantly adding Keith Moon-esque fills throughout, to the jaw-dropping virtuosity of songs like 50/50 (which, in my opinion, contains one of the hottest keyboard solos ever recorded) and the amazing Zombie Woof.

The only criticism I ever hear about this album concerns Zappa's lyrics, which, to the prudes out there, might at some points be considered obscene. In my opinion, and probably Zappa's, sex exists, and there is nothing wrong with writing songs about it. Especially if the songs are as good as these.