Digitally remastered edition of this 1984 album from the Rock legend. One of the more diverse of the later Zappa albums, the set includes everything from a pair of '50s doo-wop homages ("Sharleena" and "The Closer You Are"), to a straight-faced cover of the Allman Brothers' "Whippin' Post," to a backhanded salute to rock's latest trend ("Be In My Video"). Other humorous moments include "Stevie's Spanking," a recounting of guitarist Steve Vai's bedroom adventures; and "In France," where the scatological lyrics are handled by Johnny Guitar Watson. Some of Zappa's better rock instrumentals are here as well. The title track finds him soloing away with only bass and drums for accompaniment; while "Sinister Footwear II" is an intricate, multi-keyboard arrangement of a section of his ballet of the same name. Less characteristic is "Ya Hozna," which pairs a funky bassline with hypnotic, tape-reverse vocals -- doubtlessly a response to the "backwards masking" flapdoodle of the time.
S**)
Them or Us 2012 remaster
What a stunning improvement over the previous Ryko version! There is more of everything, except compression, in this new Doug Sax remaster. I thought that there was not going to be any real improvement considering the same digital master tape was used for this as the previous cd versions, but I was wrong.Doug has pumped up the bass, well the sub 500Hz info to fill out the lower end, has reduced compression a tad, so you can crank it up without finding it even vaguely annoying, unless you hate Zappa, and has managed to eek out more clarity in the vocals, Johnny Guitar Watson never sounding better, or worse if you are a Francophile.This was the first Zappa album I ever bought, £1 out of the Gramophone Shop in Belfast during a sale in the early 80's. I was amazed at the time by the variety of music on it and the more than obvious skill and talent of all involved, particularily Frank for writing it. So I have had a few years with it and know it fairly well and can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone wondering if it is worth getting the 2012 version and replacing the Ryko one.This is the first appearance of Steve Vai on album, having impressed Frank with his outstanding ability at transcribing all of the Shut Up N Play Yer Guitar albums for him, then further impressing him with his ability on guitar, leading to his description of stunt guitar player on a couple of Zappas albums. So lovers of guitar work will find plenty herein, the album having a copious amount of mighty lead work strewn throughout, not forgetting the avant garde stuff that Frank could knock out in the ship load at this stage of his career.
C**E
Another 'must have' for your FZ collection
More brilliant FZ output - just buy it and treat your ears to real musicians playing real music.... and all in excellent sound quality.
A**R
Great album
Great albumI use it as one half of a pair of Elton John style glasses
A**Y
Zappa brilliant
Had this on cassette years ago saw it advertised had to have it classic frankie its a must for zappa freaks
K**N
Five Stars
Excellent
M**S
Four Stars
Zappavescence!
M**R
Great album, worth waiting the week or so it ...
Great album, worth waiting the week or so it took to arrive (from USA) as the price was so good.
M**N
Five Stars
Excellent as usual
B**E
Frank does 80's metal. Don't be shy, it'll grow on you.
This is a fun album.It's 80's Zappa. Not my favourite period but whenever I think of what makes Frank Frank, it's the 80's albums, so there must be something there, right?We get great goofy songs (Be in My Video) tempered by extended metal solos (the title track). Sometimes the two even join forces (Truck Driver Divorce).My favourite is Baby Take Your Teeth Out. It's an infectious xylophone heavy ditty that makes this album mandatory.
M**O
Più che buono
Album ritenuto minore ma che personalmente trovo più che buono, alla luce dei numerosi brani da "fuori di testa" che al solito il buon baffone ci propina. Assoli chitarristici al top della forma e tanta fantasia in questo lavoro. E' pure abbastanza orecchiabile, cosa non scontata parlando di Frank Zappa. Purtroppo ci trovo 3-4 brani di troppo. ..ma merita comunque.Ottima la qualità sonora. Sicuramente anche un non fan può avvicinarsi a lavori come questo.
M**N
Album a (re) découvrir!!
À ma connaissance, c'est le seul enregistrement numérique de Zappa qui a été retravaillé et remastérisé dans les éditions 2012 de Zappa records. Tous ses enregistrements numériques ont été réédités en 2012 mais non pas été nouvellement remastérisés, mais je n'en suis pas certain. L'ancienne version Rykodisc était déjà très bonne, mais cette nouvelle parution semble sonner encore légèrement mieux. Beaucoup de fans de Zappa ne semblent pas apprécier ce disque à sa juste valeur, et s'il est vrai que sans atteindre probablement ses grandes cuvées des années 1970, il n'en reste pas moins qu'il constitue une magnifique preuve de l'étonnante capacité de Zappa en tant que compositeur de se renouveler brillamment. Son solo sur Marque's- son's chicken est superbe!! Superbe travail encore une fois de Zappa records!!
A**E
Excellent service!!!
Love this product!Used for personal use.
B**S
the zany music of frank zappa:
you like or loath frank zappa's music.i find it very funny and the musicianship is fantastic.i used to have this album years ago on vinyl and now it's worn out with playing it loads.so i bought the c.d,remastered and it is really great to listen to his music again.if you like your music a bit on the smutty side,then this is for you.
N**M
frank zappa
recu en bon état
T**N
Genial
Ohne Zweifel eines der genialsten Zappa-Alben derer, die ich kenne. Stevie Vai war damals auch noch so schön wild und unprätentiös.
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