Music Ranking
I have known about this album for about one year now. Listening in bits and pieces, it took the place as a punching bag in my life. The cover looked “stupid” and the music was abrasive. The titles were silly, but intriguing. At a friend's house, we listened to parts of his other albums, and I actually enjoyed it. Captain Beefheart had taken over my life. With this newfound confidence, I entered the album while sitting in the backseat of my car. With the knowledge that I had to finish it, I powered through. Over time, I found myself actually enjoying it. In the mess of notes and drumming, catchy riffs appeared, and I found myself appreciating the insanity of the lyrics and the reoccurring motif of “fast and bulbous” was awesome. I find that I need to be in the right mood to listen to it, however. But when it does click, it’s awesome. (Note: my rating for this one will probably raise a lot over time)
9.2/10
Album Art Ranking
Apparently it’s a real fish head? I love it so much. It perfectly captures the surreal and awkwardly strung feel of the album and will certainly be my next Halloween costume. I love Cal Schenkel’s work for Zappa and I think he did wonders here.
10/10
Music Ranking
This mostly sounds like a toddler mashing the piano keys or someone who has had 4 guitar lessons pretending they can play a song.
Sugar and Spikes has a great bass line. Credit due on that.
I started to lose my focus on this at “The Blimp.” This album is long, and not a pleasant long … a painful one. Listening to this feels like a labour. Maybe Hercules could have had this as one of his tasks: Capture the Cretan Bull, defeat the Hydra, and then sit through Trout Mask Replica without checking how much time was left. At least the other tasks had a clear sense of accomplishment.
6.0/10
Album Art Ranking
I am left wondering what made this seem like a great idea for an album cover? I am not aware of fish wearing hats, or why a badminton bird atop the hat was added. It is profoundly bizarre.
6.5/10