Zappa album review #1 "Freak Out"

Zappa album review 

#1 "Freak Out" The Mothers Of Invention

Often (wrongly) cited as the first double album in rock, it was however the first double debut album by a band. Coming to it now with such a vast catalogue to explore this would, for me, feature fairly low down on my list of priorities unless that is of course that you are a fan of 60's counterculture.

The music ranges from 60's rock, through doo-wop to drone/music concrete. Lyrically there are love songs (normally presented in a doo-wop style...this will be more relevant in a few albums time, be patient!), anti-love songs, counter culture challenges and even a protest song inspired by the Watts riots.

The second disc was largely dominated by the drone line "Help, I'm A Rock" and the side long "The Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet" which as legend has it was the result of a late night jam at which lots of "interesting" characters were invited into the studio.

See also the Project/Object release "MOFO" which explored the album and sessions in across a four disc set.