The Frank Zappa Review Page
We’re Only In It For The Money (1968)
This album is indeed the money shot. In my mind this album is among the elite of all albums, one of the truly great albums regardless of the artist in question. There is something wonderfully imperfect about it yet it runs so smoothly and with such superb song making and musicianship that you will listen to this one many many times. If you were to only buy one Zappa album ever this is probably the one I would recommend to everyone. A lot is made of the fact that there is the flower power movement connections and the way Zappa is taking the mickey out of the hippies is great fun but does not form the foundation for the entire album.
There
is far more to it than that. It is simple, sophisticated and very catchy. The
only fault I have is that at only just over thirty five minutes it is too short
but better short than long and rambling I say. Are You Hung Up is the
brief introduction but then comes Who Needs The Peace Corps a brilliant
pastiche of a song asking some very real questions about hippies motivations.
It takes the mickey out of the fact that they have no ambitions and hide behind
the movement as some kind of shield. Concentration Moon is Beatlesesque
in its contruction and delivery , very good track. Mom And Dad and Bow
Tie Daddy are two of the best songs on the album but only last three
minutes between them. Harry You’re A
Beast is superb Whats The
Ugliest Part Of Your Body and Absolutely Free play out side one on an absolute high all
great songs here.
The beginning of side two is the
only part on the album I do not like because it is the weird sound samplings of
Freak Out era. Lets Make The Water Turn Black picks up the pace
and is a Zappa classic great quirky pop record, Idiot Bastard Son is
sublime and Lonely Little Girl is the definition of catchy pop/rock
track. Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance is DooWop inspired genius
another great Zappa song. My favourite song on the album is near the end
Mother People my favourite of all Zappa’s songs it is so well delivered so
clever yet so simple and a fitting way to basically end a great album.
This
album has everything and more just get it!.