I just came back from camp. Army is suck. But on the upside, there is music! Back home, that is - nothing feels better than coming back from 2 and a half weeks of silence and (god forbid) army songs to some good music. I guess I've for now put my musical demons behind me.

Anyway, I gave Frank Zappa's 'Hot Rats' another listen. This is one of my all-time favourite albums. I consider it one of the pinnacles of instrumental rock and quite possibly the only time I've ever heard it done convincingly (I'm lookin' at YOU, steve vai.) It is a beautiful album. The opening track, 'Peaches en Regalia' is tightly composed but feels freewheeling and blooms with what I can only call exuberance. There is no hint of faux machismo here. This is rock music that isn't afraid of being happy - and it is very much so, but; like all great works of art, a sublime happiness. Which is why I prefer to say exuberance; a joy at the fact of listening, of life.

On a more technical note, Zappa's playing is free from cliches but strikingly simple, and his ability to improvise long and coherent solos is incredible - listen to the final track, 'The Gumbo Variations' for about 6 straight minutes of improvisation over a single chord, and it never once gets boring. Zappa's ability to be emphatic is one of his best qualities (and one which places him well above many many other guitarists). I appreciate the simplicity.

This is not to say the album is simple - it definitely contains elements of jazz fusion, with the tightly composed melodies and structures that implies. The instrumentation is varied and often bizarre (many many synths.) but it always feels like the structure is in service of a melody - and again, Zappa's gift with melody is seldom surpassed. Tracks like Peaches en Regalia and Son of Mr. Green Genes demonstrate this knack for simple but beautiful melodies.

On 'Little Umbrellas' Zappa displays a more experimental side - with a more jazz-like melody and much more complex chord changes, almost reminding one of Wayne Shorter's writing for the Miles Davis quintet and particularly for Weather Report with all the multi-layered melodies and compositions.

Kudos also go to Zappa's sidemen. Ian Underwood (saxophones) plays masterfully on 'The Gumbo Variations', contributing his own lengthy solo that delves into the shrieking, squeaking realm of free jazz but never deviates from the funky, earthy theme. Listen to the Art Ensemble of Chicago on 'Theme de yoyo' for an interesting comparison. Also, Zappa's violinist whose name I forget puts in a beautiful solo on the same track.

I saved the best for last - 'Willie the Pimp' is arguably the crowning achievement of the album. It is the only track on the disc with lyrics, and it represents Zappa's long fascination with the absurd and scatological, not to mention sexual. Zappa's associate Captain Beefheart supplies hoarse vocals, shouting 'HOT RATS!' over Zappa's slippery guitar playing. Then Zappa launches into a long, greasy solo - probably the most rock influenced in the whole album.

In total, 'Hot Rats' is an easily accessible but extremely well put together album that never fails to put a smile on my face. We miss you, Frank.

adam