John & Yoko jam with Frank Zappa, circa 1971 | Page 2 | Fab Forum

All assholes are anal, be fair!

“Yellow Snow” is one of the low points of his career, really. It’s like his “Yellow Submarine ” or “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer “.

OK, “one of the low points” is a bit harsh, even of most Zappa fans would agree. (Got him all kinds of attention for having an actual minor HIT SINGLE with one of the silliest songs of his career, don’tcha know.) But it deals mainly in aspects of his work that I like the least: childish humour (peepee jokes, wow!) and silly singing voices, without the sophisticated composing and jazzy improvs and hot guitars. And funny humour.

Actually I like “Yellow Snow”, really, just as I like “Yellow Submarine ” (and yet I dislike the colour yellow, go figure!) But few would deny that both songs are far from their creators’ best works. I think my comparison is a good one.

It’s not easy to make recommendations since his records covered at least 5-6 wildly different sub-genres, most of which he invented himself. A few touchstones:

Freak Out! – The Mothers’ (i.e., Frank’s) debut, the first (or second) double-album in rock. First disc is largely satirical takes on modern America and ten years of American pop/rock music; second disc is avant-garde studio jams and musique concrete.

We’re Only In It For The Money – This one’s pretty infamous – at least, the cover is. Often considered Zappa’s best.

Hot Rats – Almost totally instrumental, elaborately arranged jazz/R&B rock jams.

There’s a few favourites (from 1966-1969). But it’s maybe important to mention that if you investigate the man’s catalogue hoping for *songs* – as in, the kind with poetic lyrics that are maybe written on the acoustic guitar, and can become well-loved standards – you’re not gonna find many.

Xpost – You Are What You Is is probably the last really decent Zappa album, in my opinion. I like “Dumb All Over”! Neat to hear Frank give rap a try (in 1981, right on schedule.)