And when I was much younger, of course we watched 200 Motels at midnight films... ... and compositionally-speaking, 200 Motels is an amazing modernist composition (the "This Town" suite especially)... But the film? Effin' unwatchable now. Absolutely outstanding write-up, sir. One of your best.👍

Show Post

And you just _had_ to mention it has the original mono mix. 😖 💸 💸 💸 I, too, have a problematic relationship to Zappa - Hot Rats is solid, We're Only In It is in my top 20, but past '76? I just can't go there. (Maybe the Ensemble Modern "Yellow Shark" recording.) The Ryko mixes are abominable.

Show Post

We may be on the same page--I do think Freak Out! is actually fun, which I couldn't quite hear in Absolutely Free. Didn't listen to Hot Rats this time around but the A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs episode on "Peaches en Regalia" did pique my interest.

Show Post

My latest newsletter: after years (and years…and years) of listening, I finally clicked with a Frank Zappa album thanks to the 60th anniversary edition of Freak Out!, the debut from the Mothers of Invention.

Show Post

Per comments from friends from Michigan who knew him well, I regret to share news of the passing of Larry Hoffman, who founded and ran the wonderful Burnt Hair label in the 1990s. Very much helped codify the incipient space rock scene in the state, with its connections to #shoegaze and more.

Show Post