The Frank Zappa Review Page
Weasles Ripped My Flesh (1970)
I know I am going to get lambasted
and criticised for writing this review but what the hell I am going to do it
anyway after all that is what I am here for. I know people are going to write
in and tell me that I am either insane, idiotic or just wrong but one cannot
please everyone all the time and that is not what I aim to do. "Weasels
Ripped My Flesh" was recorded in 1970, the year that Zappa released no
fewer than 4 albums, this offering is unquestionably the worst offering! It is,
for the main part absolutley appalling. How Virgin rated this album in the top
1000 rock albums of all time I have no idea, unless there were tens of
pretentious rock critics sitting around trying to find some sort of reasoning
behind this madness. The style of music on this album could be loosely referred
to as free form jazz, except i think that would be a generous description there
is also a hint of blues on some of the 'better' tracks which is appealing
amongst the general mayhem of the record. It is a live album a compilation of
songs and sound bites taken from several Mother Of Invention concerts between
1966-1970 . There is no obvious pattern to the album and some may argue that it
is meant to represent a variety of
Zappa's styles in a 'Lost Episodes' way. The main problem I have with this
album is that if i am paying $15.00 for an album I expect to get more enjoyment
than a feeling of total confusion there simply are not enough engaging songs or
instrumentals on this album to deam it worth buying. You may want to get it so
that you can play it before you listen to a good album , therefore making the
good album sound even better! The first song on the album 'Didja Get Any
Onya?' is a free form jazz number with some strange sound samplings that
appears to be the soundtrack to some serial killer movie. The track starts well
but descends into a strange and almost unlistenable instrumental that belongs
anywhere but on the cd player. 'Directly From My Heart To You' is a cute bluesy
number and is one of the better songs on the album because it does not make you
want to commit suicide when you listen to it, no seriously it is quite good.
'Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Sexually Aroused Gas Mask' can be summed up in
one word catastrophic, it is full of sound samplings and weird effects,
followed by a very brief and unpleasant horn solo. The strange sounds take up
nearly all of the song and it belongs on the same serial killer movie
soundtrack that the first song does. 'Toad Of The Short Forest' is a quirky and
upbeat tune that is out of place on this bizarre and generally flawed album.
'Get A Little' is barely worth mentioning' as is 'Eric Dolphy' an
uninteresting and dull instrumental. The best track on the album is next 'Dwarf
Nebula' a medievel sounding tune with pipes and horns, a nice one. 'My Guitar
Wants' is another good track which is very popular with Zappa fans the world
over. 'Oh No' is a very good little crooning number but at 1 minute 45 seconds
is way too short. 'Orange County' is an spritely instrumental and tries to give
some semblance of respectability to this album. 'Weasels Ripped' the title
track is not really a track at all it is just horrible stomach churning sound
samples that is a real turn off. Side two is far superior to side 1 but that is
only because side1 is so bad. I am affraid that this is definately an album to
avoid it is even vying with Sheik Yerbouti for the ominous destinction of being
the worst Zappa album I have ever listened to. There are a few good tracks but
the majority of the album is unlistenable, it is so avante-garde that the
kindest way to describe it may be 'art house' music. Well I am sorry guys but I
could never advise you to part with your money for this offering. At a time
when Zappa produced some of the best material of his career even he managed to
throw in a real turkey! Avoid this one like the plague.
Rating – 39%
