One of the best Frank Zappa albums. Awesome to see Captain Beefheart featured on Willie The Pimp.

Hot Rats sizzles; few albums originating on the rock side of jazz-rock fusion flowed so freely between both sides of the equation, or achieved such unwavering excitement and energy.

@Aububuh: The new 2012 CD has the original mix on it.

I'm surprised how much I enjoy this (almost) all-instrumental album. I can't stop listening to it!

Zappa doing a well thought out jam-sounding album, and a very good one at that. If anything bogs this album down, it's the lack of variety. Compared to his other albums, this sounds more one note. If you like listening to jams though, you will probably enjoy this a lot. The lengthy middle guitar break in Willie the Pimp is really great, and the music on this album in general seems to be taken more seriously than some of Zappa's goofier efforts.

I just want to say for those who don't know that Zappa remixed this album in the 1980s for the CD release. Even though Zappa himself did this, many fans prefer the original vinyl mix. If you listened to it on CD and didn't really like it, I recommend that you find a way to listen to the original version. It makes all the difference in the world.

Willie the Pimp is one of my all time favourite songs

Frank Zappa popularized jazz fusion for the kids before most people even knew what the term meant. This album, while not the best Zappa work in terms of scope, features the most rocking, musical virtuosity he or his band would ever show, discounting a few licks off the solo guitar albums, and some absolutely incredible blending of genre. Dank as hell, and far far ahead of its time.

oh thank god i was worried. you see i really like this and i dont want to turn into some tool trying to interlectulise an art form of beauty emotion fun and expression. Fortunately you think this is overrated. Maybe its just too fun or somthing?

No, it's played by the multi-instrumentalist Ian Underwood. Sometimes Zappa's work crossed the line between the brilliant and the kitsche. For me, Hot Rats is an example of the latter. One of his most overrated efforts in my view.

Is Zappa playing the saxophone too? Or is that someone else from Mothers Of Invention? Just curious. Overall, it's ok. Willie The Pimp & Gumbo Variations are the best songs. I'm surprised this is considered the best Zappa album on this site though :s, he's done a lot better.