Day 140 – Frank Zappa Apostrophe (')

To be honest, I’ve never really managed to get Frank Zappa. I’m keen to find out whether that’s because I haven’t heard the good stuff or haven’t listened to it in the right context, or if it’s because I just don’t like his stuff, so today I thought I’d give his album Apostrophe a try.

Album cover courtesy of DiscReet Records

Frank Zappa was a pioneer in the art rock field and dabbled in pretty much any genre of music, but he was best known for bridging the gap between rock and jazz, classical and the avant-garde. He’s also a big name in the comedy rock arena, being a fan and early adopter of composing songs about the erudite topics of poo, pee and farts.

Zappa’s 1974 release Apostrophe is his fifth studio release as a solo artist. It was the most commercially successful record of Zappa’s career, reaching number 20 on the Billboard 200. It’s also cited as more accessible and/or commercial than much of his other work, so it’s probably as good a record as any to test my Zappa affinity with.

Right off the bat, he opens with an almost conversational ditty about urine, “Don’t Eat the Yellow Snow”, followed by the second urine-themed tune “Nanook Rubs It”. There’s a juxtaposition between the arguably unsophisticated lyrics and the more sophisticated art rock compositions with odd time signatures and elaborate guitar solos, but to be honest, I have heard things that I like more than this.

It’s not that I dislike it, it actually sounds very good. To me, it’s just a bit frustrating lyrically, like the equivalent of putting on a ballgown and finishing the outfit with a visible pair of crocs. It’s not in a way where the juxtaposition is fascinating either, as it just reads a bit infantile to me. To be a very talented artist making beautiful songs and then making the lyrics about stinky feet and dog piss is more than a bit tedious. I like the instrumental song “Apostrophe” and “Uncle Remus”, but that’s about it.

I told someone my album of the day is by Zappa and was hit with a “Ooh, good luck with that.” Appropriate reaction. I think Zappa just isn’t for me, I’m just too far removed from a 14-year-old boy to find any interest in this. 6.5/10.