We’re Only in It for the Money

Frank Zappa is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get. In this case, technically speaking, it's hip-hop/gangsta rap: someone spouts socially critical lines laced with the occasional obscenity, while rather monotonous music featuring various samples plays in the background. So is “Flower Punk” a diss track aimed at Jimi Hendrix fans?
But back to today’s topic: is “We’re Only In For The Money” comedy? Technically speaking, maybe - much like a beef steak is a meatball. In my view, this recording is the first - and to date, the only - variety album that you absolutely must hear. Those who like easy listening will probably see it differently, but this list obviously isn’t meant for them anyway.

The Shitty Beatles

Очень странный альбом, немного чувствуется сатира на хипарей. Но эксперименты с шумами аля Aphex Twin довольно таки интересные

I don’t get it…

Not great, but this album has certainly had an effect on me.

I managed to get the word ‘discorporate’ into a work Teams call about cyber security yesterday.

Today I’m going to try to mention ‘hot poop’ in my year end appraisal.

The Sgt. Pepper parody that's also a genuine artistic statement — Zappa using the Beatles' format against itself, the satire aimed at hippie culture, the music industry, censorship, and everything else within range. The intent is clear and the historical importance is real. None of which makes it enjoyable to listen to.

Where Hot Rats earned a three for genuine craft underneath the indulgence, this one's deliberately confrontational chaos works against the listener rather than with them — the satire landing as exhausting rather than funny, the abrasion purposeful without being pleasurable. A two for a record that didn't connect on any level, delivered without ambiguity.

STRAIGHT noice pollution. Some good harmonies

(Strong 7/10)

A concept record that satirizes hippie culture and mocks conservative political stances and even crticizes the kent state shooting. It's quite an amazing thing to come out at this time, and also for it to be as well-loved as it was.

I think conceptually the album succeeds where some of the music kind of gets lost in the absurdity. The sound collage and music concréte that separates some of the tracks gets a bit too silly and off putting for me, but honestly that's Zappa for you. I think there's other stuff from him I enjoy better overall, but this one is pretty solid.

I understand what they are going for here with the satire, but I just think musically it falls flat sometimes. The sounds, vocal clips, and song fragments don’t feel like something I will want to come back to. Freak Out was weird sometimes but that one had enough full songs. I did like how What’s The Ugliest Part Of Your Body? Had a reprise to keep with the Sgt Peppers parody.

The vocals are just atrocious. I also get that this is supposed to be weird and it's proto-weird? I don't know, I feel like even weird needs to follow at least some conventions to make it good. Hence why I feel this is proto-weird. Anyway, I kinda hate it. It feels like making fun of hippies is punching down.

mmmm zapper

At least now I know what psychedelic drugs must feel like.

Thank you

I can only describe this as a mishmash of randomness. A lot of it wasn't even music, just talking, sounds, and static as if you're flipping through stations on the radio. What music was present was kind of nice and melodious. It was sort of interesting, I guess.

More zany Zappa brilliance

he funny asl

I only recently realized that I don't hate all Frank Zappa. This one however, I do.

I'm a Zappa apologist for the most part and was introduced to the mothers by my father (haha) so this has sentimental value. On reflection it's pretty self-indulgent and mostly mean mocking so . . .

the lyrics are genius, but i think that if i were go to listen to this for an extended period of time probably everyone would tell immediately

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