HOT RATS

Anybody doubting Zappa's genius, trying to appreciate his music, or looking for some sweet ear candy, need only listen to "Peaches En Regalia" and all doubts will be removed and replaced by an insatiable hunger for more and more Zappa. There's more originality and creativity packed into this concise three min song than most musicians exude in their life. It'll take three mins of your life to listen to, but it will effect the rest of it.

Hot Rats kicks off into perhaps an unmatched start in the music world, but Zappa isn't satisfied and follows it up with a slew of classics. The album consists of five free-rolling instrumental jazz pieces with some lengthy jams, and one lone vocal track done by everyone's favorite captain, Captain Beefheart. His vocal contribution to "Willie The Pimp" elevates the song to new heights.

Of the remaining material most is good but "The Gumbo Variations" tends to outstay its welcome with its tiring length of 16 mins. And "It Must Be A Camel" turns out to be a rather lousy ending to a masterpiece of an album. Two stones that keep this album from really taking off into the stratosphere. But the untarnished material is creativity in its purest and most unadulterated form, and isn't quirky enough that only RIO/Avant Prog fans can get into. However, an appreciation of Fusion is likely required for full enjoyment.