Frank Zappa
Zoot Allures

THE REVIEW

Some scientists claim that hydrogen, precisely because it's so abundant, is the fundamental building block of the universe. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe.

I don't have much knowledge of Frank Zappa's discography, perhaps because it is so vast and varied that it discourages the occasional listener. But I promise myself to delve deeper into the works of someone who is known as the Artist, one of the greatest composers and creators of emotions of the modern era.

My journey accidentally begins with "Zoot Allures," an album from 1976 which, strangely, has not been reviewed on this charming little site. From the information found on the internet, I discover that the album is considered one of the lowest points of our hero's career. The question I ask myself is the following: if this is a mediocre album, how will the creative peaks astonish me?

I do know that Zappa, being an artist with a broad range, managed to mix all the genres known to the human ear in his discography, and I realize that it is the very rock approach of this album that makes it so pleasing to my ears.

Talking about every song on the record is pointless; it must be listened to. I can only tell you that the gems turn out to be "Black Napkins", an instrumental with a splendid guitar solo, and "The Torture Never Stops", where Zappa does everything himself with only Terry Bozzio accompanying him on drums.

So what can I say? An album that perhaps appears weak compared to the rest of the discography, but from my point of view, it's a masterpiece and will be an excellent starting point for my future listening.