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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
This album is a must for all Zappaphiles - here's why. It contains some marvellously scathing social commentary, doing for the 1980s what "We're Only In It For The Money" did for the 1960s; it was the first thing to come outta the UMRK and thus the production has that luxurious, mink-underwear plushness, betraying FZ's gleeful, button-pressing enthusiasm for all that new state of the art gear; it proves that there is more to FZ than mere smut - even in the naughtier songs (the reprise of "Doreen" during the second half of "Goblin Girl"... magical, and explains the, uh, 'moral of the story' - that one is just a more upfront, honest version of the other's hidden sentiment); it's fun and it rocks from start to finish... what more can I say?
Basically, if you like Frank Zappa you will love this record.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Alister King
Format:Audio CD
If you don't own anything by Frank Zappa, I would suggest that this album, due to its immediate accessibility as well as the great guitar playing, is an ideal place to start. Abandoning the usual diverse range of musical styles and lengthy compositions, it sustains a mainstream rock sound in straight forward song structures, but executed by Zappa's crew of virtuoso musicians, and impeccably produced too.
It's one of those albums where you almost regret each song ending until you realise that the next song is just as good as/better than the last, but from the start you know you're in for a treat as the songs segue into each other, and it's a double too.
Lyrically the album's replete with the usual sarcasm, wit and satire, but I guess it's the guitar playing you wanna know about, right? Early on, we get the 1st treat in the form of "Theme From The Third Movement Of Sinister Footwear", with Zappa demonstrating his more proggy/jazzy side with some twisted runs over a complex arangement.
The highlights come, though, with "Charlie's Enormous Mouth" and "Any Downers?, when the pure rock backdrop allows Zappa to explore his favourite challenge of spontaneous melodic composition, while showing off some great sustain too.
There's great riffing on Dumb All Over, dirty blues licks abound on Suicide Chump, lots of chops & SFX on Jumbo Go Away and more spontaneous melodic composition and sustain on Drafted Again.
Along with 'Hot rats', "Overnite Sensation" and 'One size fits all', "You are what you is" should form an essential part of your collection.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By G. Don Fielder
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
A fantastic album. Takes a while to get into so needs playing probably ten times before it really starts to bite. This is very much a vocal song-based album, with only one instrumental track, "Sinister Footwear", which feels a little out of place as it interrupts the vocal flow just as things are really pumping up. The first time you play this CD you couldn't fail to enjoy "Teenage Wind", "Goblin Girl", "If only She Woulda" and the riotous "Drafted Again" but most of the stuff will go straight over your head - you may even feel a little disappointed. So put it straight back on again! What a shame that guy took his copy back - he doesn't know what he's missing! I must confess, I'm not too keen on the C & W "Harder than your Husband" and the reggae "Mudd Club" (just not reggae enough unfortunately). However, this album will ultimately deliver utter joy every time you play it, however often you play it, because there's so much going on it just keeps you fascinated. I must have played it fifty times in the last six months, usually in the car, singing along like a mad thing and I'm such a quiet guy! - but even a couple of days ago I noticed something new, an acoustic guitar strumming underneath so much other stuff. Amazing amount of vocal density - some tracks have maybe 5 voices weaving and harmonizing. Excellent singing from Ike Willis, Ray White, Bob Harris, Frank himself of course (a fine singer he was too when he wanted to be) and James 'Motorhead' Sherwood from the original Mothers, plus contributions from M.U. Zappa who must have only been about 14 at the time. Fantastic arrangements as ever, lots of unexpected time changes, key signatures to keep you on your toes and a jaw-dropping instrumental break in "Jumbo Go Away". And of course, how could I forget - the guitar playing - excellent stuff throughout from Frank and Steve Vai, with a mighty FZ solo on "If Only She Woulda".
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
You is what you am 2012 version
Another sonic treat from the recent series of remasters taken from the analogue masters where possible. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Smitty Werbenjaegermanjensen (real name)
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just fantastic in every way. A great FZ introduction album. Buy and...
Just fantastic in every way. A great FZ introduction album. Buy and be amazed. Zip, dip pip, lip, chip, sit.
Published 3 months ago by Mark Cooper
4.0 out of 5 stars
It am what it are
I will admit that YAWYI is not my favourite Zappa album, but then it faces some seriously fierce competition from the rest of the man's incredible output! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Al
5.0 out of 5 stars
You Are What You Is - Frank Zappa
This & Tinseltown Rebellion are probably two of my favorite CDs from the great man.
Pop the CD into the player, if like me you have no neighbours and a great Hi Fi, crank up... Read more
Pop the CD into the player, if like me you have no neighbours and a great Hi Fi, crank up... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Tonester
5.0 out of 5 stars
good old album
good album at the right price
not for me but my girlfriend as she liked this record years ago
heard it again and wanted it
not for me but my girlfriend as she liked this record years ago
heard it again and wanted it
Published 5 months ago by terry mair
5.0 out of 5 stars
I Know Who I Am, A Cow Don't Make Ham
It's sad how this Frank Zappa album doesn't get the attention it deserves. Frank-ly (hehehe), I think it's one of his best. Read more
Published 14 months ago by rodgersviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Zappa at his wittiest and greatest!
This album grabbed me like no other album by any other artist has done before. I really wanted to get into Frank's music but I was a bit intimidated by the fact that he has so much... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Shaun O'Connor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Zappa at his best!
The band Frank Zappa used to make 'You are what you is' was, in my opinion, his very best. Frank made this highly entertaining, very funny and musically brilliant album with old... Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2011 by Howard Ryding
5.0 out of 5 stars
IMO - 'THE' Best Zappa album
By far and away - the best 'non-jazz' Zappa album - From 1981 and showing the most diverse styles and showing off newly acquired Steve Vai on 'Stunt Guitar'. Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2011 by A. Fuller
1.0 out of 5 stars
Terrible
When he was good he was incredible, but when he was bad...this is utter tripe. Is it just the eighties or did something happen to Frank to turn him into such a bitter misogynist? Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2010 by James Harries
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