Frank Zappa
Hot Rats

THE REVIEW

It is very difficult to follow the rules; it surely seems easier to do as each of us pleases. It is quite difficult to amaze while following the rules, but this does not mean you must be an artist who follows the trend, and consequently that you are an artist like many others, because every artist should first of all be taken as a person, and every person is unique—it's not like the world is full of cloned sheep. It is very easy to break the rules; just think about what a “normal person” would never do. Of course, this would attract criticism from all so-called “normal people.”

But, the hardest thing to do is to break the rules and silence everyone. The best situation, in my opinion, is when you don't do as you're told, you annoy a lot of people, but these people can't say anything because you've done it well. Silenced, mute, motionless, stay, sit! Go fetch the bone! Here's the Paw Dog, hold the Chappy®!
Franco, for sure, has experienced this situation many times. Franco, for sure, has laughed a lot about it. Franco, for sure, didn't care about people's opinions. Franco, for sure, enjoyed seeing everyone quiet, who knows how much Chappy® he handed out during his time here, who knows. Who knows, keeps quiet, therefore, I don't know.

Now, I am not clear about how many people in the second half of the sixties shouted “Frank’s miracle,” but I have a strong feeling that the likes of Luzzatto Fegiz/Scaruffi/Various Fools (oh, when someone is a fool, he should be called by his name) labeled Franco as “the usual junkie,” and now they fill their mouths with “Genius-Innovator-Too Ahead - Cicca Cicca I always said that...”

This, in the eyes of today's youth, spoils Franco's image. 90% of young people know that Franco was a musician. Of this 90%, only 15% (group B) have listened to an album by Franco, the remaining 75% snub him (group A). Of this 15%, at least 50% (group C) have only listened to one of Franco’s albums and have set it aside.
Yes, my name is ISTAT, these are certain data, I guarantee it.

Dear group A, do not label Franco as a “Scaruffi Artist” or “Old Man”, Franco at fifty was more youthful than you and me put together, Franco did not care about the opinions of others. Dear group B, bravo, you understood that Franco needed to be listened to. Dear group C, Franco made an album for almost every genre, he lacked only Drum ‘n Bass, if we really want to be picky, with just one album you have heard nothing.

Now, let's come to you, today’s young person who doesn’t trust that Franco was a genius, will you explain to me why you have the CDs of Patton/Zorn/James/Merzbow and the like at home, but not those of Franco from whom your favorites take plenty?
Option one: you don’t know which one to take. Answer: grab this, it’s not that confusing or particular, it can be listened to quite easily, even if, in my opinion, it is by no means the best, but it is a good start, then move on to Freak Out and “go chronologically upwards.”
Option two: you heard it in passing and didn’t like it. Answer: try again, sooner or later you'll find a work of his you enjoy, as long as you like the artists mentioned above.

And now let's come to you, those of you who are saying "what kind of review is this?" well, to you I wanted to say, tell me one thing, have you ever danced architecture?
No, right?
Ah, well, then I don’t care, I would never do Franco the wrong of talking about his music. Franco wanted it that way, I don’t have the authority to bother Franco, I, a small man.