LUMPY GRAVY

I'm really surprised by the low scores here. For me, this is the essential Zappa album, and the Rosetta Stone that unlocks all of what came after. Sure, it's not as rock and roll as the Mothers albums of the same period, but it IS the beginning of conceptual continuity, and is self-evidently a template not only for the collage-oriented practice of UNCLE MEAT but for all of the later work, from LATHER to the orchestral work, to the YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON STAGE ANYMORE series, to the awesome CIVILIZATION PHASE III discs, which incorporate aspects of LUMPY GRAVY. It's a masterpiece, in short, and one that refused to compromise at all. When, in future years, Frank gets the respect he deserves as a serious composer, this is one of the works that will be adduced to prove the case. A must for serious fans.