Frank Zappa- Freak Out

Freak out

Freak Out is somewhat of an oddity, now and at the time it was released. It was the first album released on two vinyl LPs, unheard-of at the time, and it didn't make much musical sense nor much of a dent in the musical scene at the time. Some of the featured instruments on the album is the kazoo and xylophone. The kazoo was featured on some of the jug bands at the time, such as the Lovin Spoonful, but this is probably the ONLY rock album to feature a xylophone. If the album seems out there now, you can imagine how it appeared in 1966 when it was released. It is, however, a mature finely construct musical work.
It's a very eclectic album, containing renditions in do-wop, pop, blues rock and musique concrete, but is also the first concept album, but it is an eclectic album that works. It is easier to appreciate this distinction on the vinyl release rather on the CD feature.
It is the first politically conscious album. It had its share of pop songs, but many songs are tinged with political angst and foreboding. The title of one song, "Who Are the Brain Police?" is a dead giveaway.
Political statements can be read into other songs such as "Anywhere the Wind Blows" and "Trouble Every Day." "Trouble Every Day" reportedly was written by Zappa after watching the Watts Riots on television. "Trouble Every Day" received a lot of FM airplay in the day, due not only to its blues progressions, but on account of his statement, controversial then and now, " I'm not black, but there's a whole lots a times I wish I could say I'm not white." This line played very well in the 60s.
"It Can't Happen Here" is another interesting song with political undertones. Zappa took the title from a novel written by Upton Sinclair of the same name. The theme of the novel was the take-over of fascist interests in the United States. The song echos the same concern. Zappa deconstructs that most American of musical art forms, the barbershop quartet, by camping up the musical counterparts and singing, "it Can't Happen Here," as if it was Zappa's way of saying, "Yes, it CAN happen here."
Zappa not only criticized the political establishment and society, but shared criticisms of other pop songs. "Help, I'm a Rock," is a satire of the then-recently released "I am a Rock," from Simon and Garfunkle. The near complete lack of musical structure in the song or anything resembling "singing" is a satire on the smooth measured melodies of the S & G song.
The insanity level of the album increases as the album progresses. By the time of the last "song," "The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet," all bets were off. Urban legend has it that producer Tom Wilson and most of the Mothers -- but not Zappa -- were under the influence of LSD while recording this particular song. Whether or not this is true, this is truly plausible when one listens to this song. It is the "freak out," referenced to in the title.
This album gets better with passing time. The songs more urgent and its overall structure and what Zappa was hoping to achieve more apparent. In many ways, this album was Zappa's musical statement of what he wanted to achieve in his musical goals. It is his definitive work. It is definitely worth a listen.