THE DUST BLOWS FORWARD: AN ANTHOLOGY

This compilation is a great introduction into the crazy world of Captain Beefheart. With good song selection, wonderful remastering, 2 discs worth of music, and extended liner notes and pictures, this is probably all the Captain Beefheart most folks need. Sure there are some important songs missing, but it's hard to complain with what all is included. There are songs from his first album through last album, in chronological order, plus an unreleased track and two tracks from the Frank Zappa / Mothers / Captain Beefheart grouping.

How do describe the music? Hmmm. It's a wonderful blend of odd (though great) singing mixed with snappy off-the-wall guitar, interesting bass parts, and complex drumming (often seeming to not be playing in any kind of time signature). Some of the songs are more straight-forward, but all have a bit of a humorous edge to them. Strange but wonderful poetry from the "other side of the fence".