It actually plays too much like a comedy album to my ears. Zappa has always written goofy/funny lyrics, but in support of the music, I think. Records like Overnight Sensation and Zoot Allures have their funny moments, but still work very well as rock records. Sheik is just relentlessly over the top. Bobby Brown is funny, but I'm not sure I need to hear it more than once. I felt the same way about Joe's Garage, You are What You is, etc. None of that stuff holds up very well from that period.

I don't think Zappa really struck the right balance again with his commercially minded albums until 'Them or Us' - admittedly still a pretty slight album, but with a bit more music to sink one's teeth into.

i think Sheikh Yerbouti is fine

quite catchy and probably his best attempt at "pop"

Mass respect to you Howard, but we better never hang out. We'd be fighting endlessly over what to listen to. :beer:

Lumpy gravy is underrated. It was one of Zappa's favourite recordings of his own. Just bought the reissue.

Agreed. Sometimes the humour in the music sort of overcomes the quality of the music and it takes away my urge to repeatedly listen to it. Although I think that Sheik is one of those albums that edges both fields of music and humour, so it really just takes me being in the right mood to listen to that one.

I agree - the way that album interlocks with Uncle Meat and Civilizaton Phaze III makes some pretty interesting listening.

The Pigs follow the Smoke....

I remember disliking Uncle Meat in my earlier days, but man I just gave it a spin and it was super interesting. I must have totally missed the point when I first listened to it. Or was turned off by the instrumental nature of most of it, but whatever. I was wrong!

I've found I like Shut Up 'N' Play Yer Guitar. A bit tiring to listen to all three parts at once, but each 30 minute or so section is quite enjoyable. Might even try and track down one of the boxed set versions.

Hot Rats is his best album. amazing stuff.

Man, I watched the Zappa plays Zappa DVD a few weeks ago. It's incredible! Highly recommended!

Quite lot of his stuff has left me cold but I watched Yellow Shark on YouTube in respect of it being his 'last performance' and thought it was great.