The Frank Zappa Review Page

Joe’s Garage (1980)
 After the dissappointment of 'Sheik Yerbouti' Frank Zappa came back with a vengeance with this pop-opera. Joe's Garage is a double Cd with over two hours of music, mayhem and fun. It is based on a crazy story about a boy called Joe who started his own rock band in a repressive society. The idea was to highlight the repressive regimes in Eastern Europe that have harsh censorship laws. It is not at all serious, it is funny, quirky and at times crude but captures and holds your attention throughout most of the album. The set starts with a Zappa trademark track 'Joe's Garage', Ike Willis sings lead vocals with Zappa on a smooth, melodic and thoroughly enjoyable song, this is one of Zappa's great tunes. It is a pop song with interesting lyrics and a super beat. 'Catholic Girls' is next a crude but very funny track with perceptive lyrics. 'Crew Slut' follows in the same vein as the previous track, it is has a steady catchy beat and crude disgusting words! I love 'Why Does It Hurt When I Pee' despite the silly words the tune is fantastic. 'Lucille' is a sweet semi-reggae number and 'Token Of My Extreme' is a well written pop track. 'Stick it Out' and 'Syborg' close the first side of the album on a high, they run into each other and follow the high octane, fun theme of side 1. You look up and side 1 is finished already, it goes by quickly which is always a good sign.
                Side 2 is very different, it is more an instrumental set where the composition is more prominent than the lyrics. 'Keep It Greasy' is a fast pace rocker and then the album slows down with 'Outside Now' a relaxing, focused and fluid song which is almost romantic in its delivery. My favourite song on side 2 is 'Packard goose' it is brilliant, it represents all that is good about Joe's Garage it is essentially a rock song, the lyrics are super, the beat is so catchy and the drum playing is addictive, watchout for this one! 'Watermelon In The Easter Hay' is a great guitar solo it is soft, seductive and gentle. It is the kind of track that you may play whilst in the bath because it is so relaxing, another highpoint of the album. 'Little Green Rosetta' plays the album out on a high, this is a clever and fun tune, it is clear that the musicians are having fun. Fun describes the album well it is a real laugh but the standard of music is very high, I am very fond of Joe's Garage and would recommend that you get it.
Rating – 75%

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