LUMPY GRAVY

Third (or maybe fourth, I lose count in Zappa's discography) album, Lumpy Gravy takes off from where the previous two (FO and AF) had left things at, but in this case Frank chose to sidelong suites (not sure they can be called prog epics), which means both tracks are happy- go-lucky pot-pourri, as you've grown used to by now.

Actuyally LG is a little more advanced, still mixing every possible style of popular music, but here Zappa include elements of Edgar Varese, which if course a big step forward, especially in the integration of the modern (electric) symphonic orchestra and choirs in a "rock" album. But the thing is that the mix of "serious" (as in experimental) music with his usual goofy gags and jokes and just about any kind of popular music renders the album an uneasy listen, especially with repeated listens. Indeed if the novelty and fun of the goofy parts are great upon first listen, while his actual music might seem tough, compact and impenetrable, as time goes on, the balance is tipped in the reverse situation: one gets tired of the goofiness (the surprise is gone) and the "serious music slowly unravels its secrets and beauty. And of course once you're into the more progressive entrails of Frank's musical realm, you find the now-almost repulsive goofiness, stopping full enjoyment of his oeuvre. I'm only going to make only one example about this album: the opening and closing surf music are fine (and rather impressive in the instrumentation), but clashing with the almost-standard big band jazz that follows and these sound collages that signals yet another abrupt change.

Can't help but feeling this is a big "N'importe-quoi", something that I'll find in a majority of Zappa's discography. One of my personal 60's Zappa albums, just behind Hot Rats, but this doesn't mean I kept the album in my shelves. I'm just glad I can rent it from my library whenever I feel like it.