Freak Out!
by The Mothers Of Invention

This is a brilliant commentary on society in the 60's that is still extremely relevant to this day with the consumerism we have present in modern society. It is also a genius parody of the music in the 60's but also a demonstration of how it could be made to a higher musical quality if artists strived towards making better sounds rather than just catchy songs that get people hooked on so they would sell. This satire from Zappa is best demonstrated on songs like Wowie Zowie, Anyway The Wind Blows and Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder. Zappa then goes completely against what people wanted and made creative sound collages which utilised his raw sound and formed some songs that on first listen are not enjoyable for us to hear at all. However, through the use of his orchestral arrangements and instrumental diversity the quality and depth of the sound shines through after a few listens as you start to see how complex and rich his sound is. You start to appreciate the musicianship on show and admire how self aware and intellectual the release is. The lyrics the whole way through are fantastic as well and I can see why they might not appeal to some people but for me they work perfectly and I love the commentary Zappa gives. Also, I would like to give a special mention to the protest song Trouble Every Day which is a personal highlight for me. Overall, this is a genius record that has something to say that is still relevant to this very day and does it in a musically rich and grand fashion and I think this record deserves more recognition and praise than it gets.

I really like Trouble Every Day, but that's all positive I have to say about that album, apart from this track it sounds like a parody of 60s pop music and sonically is often very unpleasant in a negative way (Who Are The Brain Police?, Help I'm A Rock)

Could see where he was taking it and couldn't wait for him to get there; but y'know, first he had to assemble and convince a band. And one thing this isn't BTW, is druggie.

From IanFrance 07/15/2021 22:15 | #271648 | TOP COMMENT

Ostensibly a psychedelic rock record, Freak Out! wears its influences proudly – yes, the loved-up (drugged-up) pop/rock of the 60s but also doo-wop and straightforward rock ‘n’ roll. The experimentation works up until the last track which strays into parody a little too far.
Rating: Good
Best track: Hungry Freaks, Daddy

Zappa's best ideas are here already. 1966. As far as I'm concerned, he could've released just this album and Uncle Meat and packed things up after that. Okay, Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Weasels Ripped My Flesh and Hot Rats were good bonuses.

From jwammo12 04/10/2021 00:51 | #268401

Hilarious, influential, and bonkers. Trouble Every Day is a legitimately great protest song.

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From VictorVale 12/11/2020 17:42 | #262550

Loucura boa é isso!!

From 2nd-Impressions 09/26/2020 04:38 | #258719

This album certainly has an aquired taste. Aside from the tracks 'Who Are the Brain Police?' and 'Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder', much of the tracks come off as needlessly silly. That very well may have been Zappa's intention here, but nonetheless, it's hard to put this album up on the same pedestal as some of its contemporaries.

From Boltzmann 04/01/2020 17:52 | #249409

At a second thought, having listened a bit more bands from around that time more thoroughly, like The Byrds, Cream and Grateful Dead, these guys don't really do anything very strange for its time. Just to a further and more annoying extent... and with awful vocals. I should've listened to my gut earlier; when they start to sound better, they sound like your average garage band from the '60s, and then ruin everything by rhythmless intermezzos with annoyingly sarcastic voices. Not vocals, voices... their putting up voices. It sometimes honestly feels more like theatre I'm listening.