Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Far out in spades - take yourself there, 17 Feb 2007
The Magic Captain is wierd (wired?) & strange by any popular measure but this first album is more accessible than Trout Mask or Strictly Personal or even the Spotlight Kid. Whoever takes any notice of popular measure anyhow. Critics invariably get it wrong, and maybe this review is no different. Check it out for yourself.
Really there are so many varied opinions about this album that there's little sense to be made of them all. The only opinion that counts is yours but, for what it's worth, I think this is five star stuff. But then wierd & strange is okay by me (I still like Syd Barrett!) It's certainly original, unique, unusual and powerful.
|
|
|
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
A True Innovator, 31 Dec 2004
What is fascinating about this unholy alliance of Howlin' Wolf vocals over syncopated, modernist angular blues is the way Beefheart has harnessed the integrity and rawness of Delta Blues into a completley different emotional register.
I wont rehearse arguments about how to interpret Beefheart, although I would disagree with most of the press which glibly situates him as an absurdist dadaist.
Beefheart, and in particular Troutmaskreplica, belong to a cannon of supposedly unintelligble avanta gardist innovaters who remain more respected than listened to, think Zappa, mid-period Tom Waits, John Cale, Sonic Youth, Patti Smith, etc etc.
Stop being intimidated and buy it. Remember, it is only be learning to listen to the unlistenable that you can unlisten the listenable.
So roll one up, put track 6 (Electrity) on and, as the great man himself said, "May the baby Jesus shut your mouth and open your mind."
|
|
|
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Safe?, 11 Jul 2007
This album is about as safe as a vile of acid. Also filled with flesh eating bacteria. In the mouth of a T-rex. Get where I'm going with this? You do? Then we are on the same level my friend.
This was the first album released by the genius, Captain Beefheart, and it's a great place to start if you are a bit scared of where too. Which, you probably will be after reading some of the stuff people have written about his music. Yes, it is sometimes a little horrible to listen to and, especially on his later albums, you won't always instantly hear the music underneath. This isn't Abba. This isn't even Frank Zappa. Though, if you're a Frank Zappa fan you are bound to like some of this. But, like I said, this was his first album and it is certainly a little less crazy than some of his later ones. Like `Trout Mask Replica', which is the greatest album ever by the way. Get that one too.
Anyway, like some of the songs on this album, I seem to have lost the plot a bit. Except, when it is Beefheart losing the plot, he takes you to a magical place filled with stuff you haven't even conceived of yet and that I won't even try to put into words. Things that will terrify you as much as they'll make you laugh with wonder. And trust me, if you are completely insane that is, this album will do just that to you. And if you're not insane, then that's what this album will do to you.
What separates this album from other versions are the bonus tracks you get with it. Now, normally, I really hate bonus tracks. They are usually crap, boring, and get in the way of the actual music. But, and you knew there was a but coming, didn't you; the bonus tracks you get here are brilliant and genius. Seriously. The first time I heard `Trust Us' my brain melted out of my ears. I also love the early recording of the song `Safe as Milk', which wasn't actually on the original album, I don't think.
Let's talk about the actual songs now. There are quite a few of them thankfully and unlike almost every single album released nowadays, they are all genius and perfect. As far as I'm concerned there isn't a single bad track on this album. I do like this album a lot though, so don't my word for it. They are all brilliant, innovative, and, if you haven't ever listened to music like this before, will change what you think music is forever. Till you buy `Trout Mask Replica' that is...
I've been trying to decide on a favorite song for this review and I really can't. Picking a favorite would be like trying to decide which member of your family to let the serial killer murder to save the rest. Screw it. Kill em all! Every tack is my favorite.
The previously mentioned `Trust Us' really is a high point though. And, as it is a bonus track, means you need to get this version of the album. It has one of the best opening tunes ever, layered beautifully under the most insane lyrics. It'll really wake you up when it all kicks in for the first time. Also, still talking about `Trust Us', there is this bit at the end that sounds like a choir of Beefheart's all harmonizing in the weirdest way possible. It is just so strange and beautiful that the first time I heard it I just stopped existing and really opened my eyes.
There is also `Electricity', a crazy blues type song with lyrics that probably don't make any sense unless you are as crazy as a crazy person with two heads. Fortunately for me I do have two heads and both of them are mad, so I get it. Also, the song `Electricity' has some of the coolest guitar playing ever. In fact, every song on this album has the coolest guitar playing ever.
`Yellow Brick Road' is a twisted song that draws you into its eerie hell with nice sounding lyrics and a cute and catchy guitar hook before the chorus kicks in and you are dropped with a noose around your neck and then left wondering how you get there.
Equally scary is `Autumn's Child', a song that really does defy categorization. At one point you can hear whipping noises in the background and then later it's like you are being dragged through a forest completely naked and with beautiful trees coming on to you. Weird, I know.
There is one track though that may be my favorite. Or at least, it is sometimes. The track `Abba Zaba' is a song that sounds like you are traveling to a mystical temple just floating casually in the sky. You can feel the guitars under you as you're carried up through the clouds higher and higher, all the while lyrics that I don't think actually mean anything, fill your head, and the shapes the clouds form are all swirling, twisted and golden. Then the chorus suddenly comes in and it is one of those moments. You know, one of those song moments that stops you the first time you hear it and you are left asking, what the heck was that? Something that only last a few seconds but you'll never forget. It just surrounds you and the only thing to do is just let it all wash over you. The magical sounding guitars, the beautiful words, the thumping bass; which is nice and loud throughout, thank Joss Whedon (He's my god!), and the general weirdness combining to make something truly unique and life changing.
So that's it. I can't be bothered to write anymore. I guess the only way you are going to know for sure is to just buy this album.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
(53)
£7.98
(11)
£7.98
(5)
£4.98
