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. (Edited)

From Brad1770 TOP 100 COMMENTER 02/20/2018 06:15 | #208921 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Ok so here's the thing I'm a 50 something life long music nut and I've never gotten Frank Zappa , I've never gotten his music and I've never understood why his catalogue is so popular . Its exactly the same way I don't getTom Waite's and his music ( apparently he’s ‘ The Voice Of A Generation ‘ ) I just don't get it

My journey to listen to the BEA top 500 twice has taken me to Freak Out! and listen twice I did and ..... I STILL don't get it

'Motherly Love ' , 'Wowie Zowie ' and ' Trouble Every Day ' are all IMO ok especially 'Trouble Every Day ' . Every other track is just weird , whilst the closing track 'The Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet ' is 12 minutes of complete noodling nonsensical garbage .

There are something like 75'829 albums on BEA and Freak Out! is ranked 490 or within the top 4% . That just blows my mind . I could go on but instead I'll list 5 Killer Albums BELOW Freak Out!

500: "Ritual De Lo Habitual" Janes Addiction
495: "Morrison Hotel" The Doors"
539: "Reconing" R.E.M
548: "Badmotofinger" Soundgarden
563: "Sued" Sued ( 563 Good Lord that's low !!!)

Oh and addressing the comments below suggesting Freak Out! was a "major" influence on Sgt Peppers , I recon I know Sgt Peppers like the back of my hand and I don't see the comparison , not even close . To suggest other wise is quite frankly hyperbole

Just because you COULD make a Double Album doesn't mean you should

40/100

Zappa's debut is the first of his early-period classic trilogy. The first-ever double/concept album, Zappa's critique of mass consumption and satirical dissection of US society, is pionering and was a major influence on Sgt Peppers. (Edited)

From mdbaxter TOP 100 COMMENTER 11/20/2019 21:02 | #245035 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

This album's just too silly for me. I love a good joke in a song but a lot Freak Out! sounds goofy. There are really good instrumentals and the background is usually interesting and catchy but the lyrics lose me more often than not. The fake hispanic accent Zappa puts on throughout the album is detrimental. There aren't many tracks that stick out to me. "Trouble Every Day" and "Help, I'm a Rock" are my two favorite. Even though I have problems with it, I admire the album for its uncompromising originality. In a time when everyone was trying to be The Beatles, these guys made this and while it does draw heavily from multiple different genres that came before it, it's still unlike anything else at the time.

Everyone says Pet Sounds was the main inspiration for Sgt.Pepper, but people forget this greatly influenced the Beatles as well. This a bit unorganized, but the sounds and ideas from this album are surely the beginning of what would follow in the next year. (1967) Zappa said he only smoked pot a handful of times and didn’t like it. I don’t know how he came up with this whacky shit without being completely blasted on acid or some other substances. This is a hard listen but an important part of music history. (Edited)