Frank Zappa- Hot Rats ALBUM REVIEW

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A review of Frank Zappa's seminal album Hot Rats. I'm reviewing some of my all-time favorites this week in celebration of the KZbin channel hitting the 50K subscribed benchmark. Woot!
Buy this album: amzn.to/1HDI6IZ
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FRANK ZAPPA- HOT RATS / 1969 / REPRISE (WELL, NOW IT'S ON RYKODISC) / JAZZ-ROCK, JAZZ FUSION, JAM BAND, BLUES ROCK, EXPERIMENTAL ROCK, PROGRESSIVE ROCK
(THIS VIDEO IS A REUPLOAD. THE ORIGINAL HAD AN EDITING MISTAKE I WANTED TO FIX)

[@TheSirLaguna]

It's a damn shame that even after 9 years this is your only dedicated Zappa video

[@Valleyplant]

He just isn’t in to reviewing the oldies as much

[@joaquin5929]

@@Valleyplanthe respects the past but he doesn’t live in it 😌

[@Valleyplant]

@@joaquin5929 I will say, it’s pretty unique and interesting to see someone so deeply into music but mostly covers new music. I wonder how much of the reason for this is because it’s what will attract a much wider audience.

[@EmirAssassin]

it's incredible how little he's changed in 7 years

[@laytonn1160]

Yeah because Melon has been dead for years. Every video that is uploaded was prerecorded 7 years ago.

[@withnail-and-i]

@@laytonn1160 Darkest twist material

[@bryanscheeler]

My dumb ass thought you were talking about Frank

[@petterv6604]

That’s the vegan lifestyle

[@alphalax7747]

@@withnail-and-i and beautiful

[@Keessette]

"This is not going to become a regular segment." .......right.

[@nickspann20]

Case Bontrager jewcfffcgii

[@nickspann20]

Tf

[@nickspann20]

Ffffggggg

[@Actiomedey]

It's not

[@khwimachirwa4067]

@@Actiomedey It is.

[@dandemsky7157]

I feel bad for people who don't love Zappa.

[@mitzara25]

Dan Demsky Your teeth are brighter than my future

[@Koettnylle]

I feel bad for Zappa who didn't love people

[@kudos4201]

people who cant handle the truth cant handle zappas music

[@notfound-rr6ph]

@@Koettnylle what do you mean, Zappa loved people. He just hated idiots

[@MrJeepsters]

Un sacré musicien et compositeur. Il était d'ailleurs très proche de Pierre Boulez.

[@TaylorFoersterPictures]

"...to celebrate 50k" good times

[@bendaaa69]

he has almost 3m now

[@PFDadReacts]

“I respect the past, but I don’t live in it.” Bars.

[@aidanmca4177]

REACT TO HOT RATS if you havent heard it PLEASE

[@jabu003]

musically there is a present because there is a past ..... and music recicles everything the past or simply samples it in the present Santana ? Zappa was first....

[@Valleyplant]

@@jabu003 I’m sure Santana was inspired by Zappa in some way but I don’t think he was much before him. Zappa’s first record was 1963, Santana’s was 69. But I don’t think they overlapped very much in style

[@jared201345]

The Bob Dylan impression in Sheik Yerbouti made me fall in love with Zappa.

[@Creed_fan_69]

They got computer collectors

[@parmesancrisp]

I've been listening to Zappa for almost 30 years, and I think you hit the nail right on the head with this review. Great job, Anthony.

[@derekchauvinistrockwellthe4917]

WILLIE THE PIMP FTW!!!! I think that showcases some of his best guitar soloing ever. It's right up there with Muffin Man, Montana, and maybe only second to Watermelon In Easter Hay. So good.

[@derekchauvinistrockwellthe4917]

i testimoni di judy the ZAP bingE lives on mi amigo, i ZAP lives on!

[@aidanmca4177]

I love how ur other picks for best soloing are other zappa songs

[@derekchauvinistrockwellthe4917]

Essential Zappa albums: Hot Rats, Apostraphe(!), Over-Nite Sensation, Sheik Yerbouti, Joe's Garage. Enjoy kids! My life changed in a way when I discovered Zappa's music so I hope some of you heed my advice and check out these albums!!!

[@hardwoodthought1213]

I hope you didn't include We're Only In It For The Money and Freak Out! because they weren't his single work. If you didn't, then shame on you.

[@mwheeler1994]

I'd say just about every 60's and 70's Zappa albums deserve at least one listen.

[@derekchauvinistrockwellthe4917]

***** Yeah, I wasn't including albums released by the original Mothers of Invention because I don't consider them singularly Zappa works as much as from Hot Rats and on, but also because I'm not as big a fan of his earliest stuff. Don't get me wrong. I love Freak Out! and really like WOIIFTM, but to me, he just reached a new level of musical brilliance when he started his solo stuff with Hot Rats in 69. And Mitchell Wheeler , I agree! I've heard them all and love his entire 70's output, but these are simply my favorites and the ones I feel are the best.

[@vincevirtua]

My life changed.... my wallet mostly.

[@captainpungent]

I think that first time listeners should start with MOI, though. It's more straightforward rock and gets you into his unique sense of humor. The only group that could rock a kazoo.

[@ckimels1479]

7:12 Your beefheart impression just put me in tears

[@BenjamminClark]

One of the best albums ever. But it's kind of a shame that people only focus on this Zappa album because people get too "weirded out" by his others. If you like this instrumental stuff I recommend Sleep Dirt.

[@beflygelt]

Egbert Wadman Safe As Milk!?

[@gonzadiazsola]

Mr Spectacals i really like apostrophe and tinseltown rebellion too

[@henryolsen6248]

Joe's Garage was his best album.

[@paulvanmaldegem6315]

Killmetbh I think Sheik Yerbouti is the most watered down. I still like it tho

[@jons5756]

I think We're only in it for the Money is his best album. But they're all great.

[@marcjohn9404]

This album's just a fuckin' masterpiece.

[@theneedledrop]

sorry, this probably won't happen.

[@killjoy_5309]

theneedledrop dang

[@jacobscardino4330]

Melon, are you aware of the upcoming HOT RATS SESSIONS 6 disc box set? 30 Minute version of Gumbo Variations!!!! If you check it out and enjoy it maybe consider making an episode reviewing it, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!!!

[@sanaddaoud6541]

Are you sure melon?

[@tayzatun6351]

Ok man Ok Fine.

[@juanfilipwinifred]

Uh

[@Bigsquatch_ky]

This review got me into Zappa, thank you for that.

[@Bigsquatch_ky]

kek The Mollusk is a classic though

[@rondonvalante1496]

TheShameofaNation love ween

[@GodfathersGodfathernet]

My personal top 5: 1.Frank Zappa 2.Richard D. James 3.Miles Davis 4.James Brown 5.David Axelrod

[@cantstopmike311]

GodfathersGodfather this list confuses me

[@coisa985]

Love james brown aswell

[@GodfathersGodfathernet]

@William Magee Good choices! That's some good taste you got there. It's funny because I find it much easier to come up with top five artists compared to top five albums. My favorite albums by any of those artist changes day to day. 🎶 ❤ ✌

[@GodfathersGodfathernet]

@@cantstopmike311 With the exception of Axelrod, they're all artists with very large bodies of work that were consistently good and innovated music in a major way. With regards to Axelrod, it's a personal thing. I really like "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience" and what he did as a producer. I'd consider him an innovator in his own special way 😁

[@rebellerebelle4038]

David Axelrod😭😭 One of the best jazz fusion composers ever

[@EsPoReNg]

I wish there were more albums like this and Thick As A Brick that don't take themselves too seriously

[@keni8109]

Zappa: Greatest musical genius of all time.

[@Technolgy2]

personally i wouldn't go that far. not even really that close. at all. he's aight. i guess.

[@keni8109]

+DJ TJ ''he's aight. I guess'' is a fundamentally wrong statement.

[@Technolgy2]

Donz how am i wrong?? there are so many amazing musicians who have been active in such a huge number of genres, it's pretty ridiculous to say any single one is really head and shoulders above the rest. and tbh i'd wayy rather listen to a captain beefheart record than frank zappa.

[@keni8109]

+DJ TJ Sorry but while I respect your opinion, I don't particularly care for it.

[@dandemsky7157]

+Donz Frank Zappa as far as I'm concerned, is definitely the greatest of all time. I couldn't agree more. My god he's amazing

[@onlinepokeraddict]

Carp Helmet Reproduction

[@SendyTheEndless]

Animal Clothing Activity

[@dagdamon1856]

Ichthyoid Phiz Facsimile

[@jahmark9336]

Frankie said “music is the best!” Peace and love from Bristol, England

[@072nice4u]

Review Captain Beefheart Trout Mask Replica

[@flower-ld5id]

oh my god please!

[@Technolgy2]

+Andrew McIntyre shut up

[@coldwar45]

It will be out at the end of the year.

[@FyreNail2]

Very good album but since he won't review more than one album by one artist for 'classic reviews', he's obviously going to go with the more iconic one.

[@locksh]

YES PLEASE

[@dabzvapelord]

my parents are the ultimate normies but i remember my dad buying this on CD for my mum in the 90's and having my little head smashed open by the opening track

[@dbc7772011]

love Hot Rats album! Peaches is amazing composition, Willie as one of the rawest, down and dirty songs ever, Beefheart blows me away with his vocals and howling, screaming! Gumbo variations is phenomenal sax work, son of Mr. Green Jeans also cant get melody out of head

[@jayro3931]

the soft machine-third is a great album

[@RaymondCorney]

Yes

[@milohollandsworth4577]

Jay Ro one of my all time favorites

[@rockonthestone4907]

> Hot Rats

[@rockonthestone4907]

And Hot Rats is amazing

[@zackzallie8735]

Third and Bitches Brew were two of the best jazz-fusion albums ever!

[@shellacSOUP58]

His discography was such a triumph around this period in time… my all-time favorite and the album I feel is his most complete musical statement would have to be "Uncle Meat", though

[@spaceepandaa]

Jazz-fusion is the greatest music on the damn planet.. no debate.

[@Ahmad-hy6pc]

yupppp

[@TrinidadQG]

Agreed

[@GodfathersGodfathernet]

Tell that to the Jazz professors at the universities lol. Every one of them I met hated this stuff. Kinda disappointed me.

[@gilespeterson6832]

bartalor I hate prog rock altogether. It made me scared of my own literary knowledge.

[@theworstgamer5135]

Agreed

[@SuperDuckPro]

Hey Anthony, I think that in classics reviews you should talk more about why is this album important and inlfuential more than why you like each song.

[@smashingairguitars]

Thank you for reviewing this album. You have brought a priceless sonic gem that I will appreciate for years to come along with others I would have never heard of without you. Congrats on the 50K!

[@elfcounsul]

The Berkeley College of Music does some Zappa.Their medley starting with Peaches En Regalia and ending with Zombie Woof is worth hearing. The Singer blew me away.

[@joaquinverdun2560]

Works of art are timeless if they're really good. I don't see the point of reviewing only new releases.

[@standaeik3054]

......I just want a Jewish princess who squeaks when she cums.

[@TheSteelDialga]

Standa Eik me too buddy

[@scummygrummy5220]

Standa Eik This is the best and most relatable comment I have ever seen on KZbin. Thank you.

[@bordereye]

Let's not forget Franco Battiato's album 'Fetus' and 'Pollution', only to mention two of the several brilliant works the sicilian artist produced in the '70s. Zappa himself regarded 'Pollution' a work of genius.

[@v838monocerotis9]

frankthony zaptano

[@shellacSOUP58]

Total classic album. Gotta love Uncle Meat too. This was his best "instrumental" record, while I feel Uncle Meat was the Mothers of Invention at their most hilarious and ambitious. Zappa forever.

[@teratoma.]

what a classic comment

[@hippiecheezburger5457]

Uncle meat is real good it’s such an odd musical outing when you sit there and listen to it

[@j.lahtinen7525]

Peaches En Regalia is my ringtone. :)

[@eyezuel5307]

He's gonna do the segment and he's gonna give it a ten

[@JackBrice6]

In ''Peaches En Regalia'' I think he uses one of the original Guitarr Synthesizer pedals

[@johnoconnor8721]

My desert island albums are... 1. Miles Davis - Kinda Blue 2. Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti 3. Uncle Franks - Hot Rats! 4. Ludwig von Beethoven - 9th Symphony "Ode to joy". 5. Johnny Cash - American Recordings.

[@Whocares1987]

One of my favorite Zappa albums of all time. Opening track always blows my mind.

[@Thecriticalplug]

After listening to this album I know realize why Frank Zappa is one of if not the Greatest 🐆

[@bjc2]

"Ian Underwood whips out his most fiery performance." Ha! Is this a conscious reference to "Ian Underwood Whips It Out" from Uncle Meat? If so, bravo.

[@zackzallie8735]

lol Uncle Melon referencing Uncle Meat is such a contrast

[@kevinbape]

Me & Jacob Scardino wanna see more Zappa.

[@will4thrill]

Trout Mask Replica Classics Week 2015

[@TheNetomom]

I want to believe

[@hardingap]

"I don't TAKE drugs. I AM drugs!" -Salvador Dali

[@o0EpicScavenger0o]

I learn to love music on my own, but Anthony man, he just gives me a whole different and greater perspective on why I should be loving music and the artists who make it!

[@PirimidFoodReviews]

From 50k to over 2 mil subs, fucking congrats

[@Lord_Stinkfoot]

You did an excellent review of this rarely considered recording. Thank you very much.

[@hawcubites]

Hot Rats was Zappa first album as a solo artist and was recorded on a protype 16 track machine and became a top 10 album in the UK.

[@shred5]

Nice review. You should review One Size Fits all for its 40th anniversary too :)

[@alpatissafe]

Holy crap, listening to 'Willie the Pimp' right now. Thanks for the rec man, might never have listened to this otherwise.

[@n0denz]

The term, "Ahead of its time," gets thrown around a lot, but I honestly believe it applies to Zappa. There's stuff he's made that sounds like straight-up KZbin poop. It's like he was channeling the, "Fuck it," mentality of the internet we've come to know and love and hate today. Yet I think he'd just be written off as a novelty if not for the fact that he could really write some traditional music of high technical quality when he wanted to. I was listening to classical radio last week and heard and orchestrated adaptation of, "The Dog Breath Variations," and it sounded like it could have been written by a young Dmitri Shostakovich. And goddamn did he write a lot of music. In 1969 he released two other albums besides Hot Rats. The man is an absolute legend.

[@jasonmoore7223]

We need an Apostrophe review

[@thenefasonas]

I've never commented on your video but. oh man... Zappa!!! huge respect for bringing this up, man.

[@WhiteWalls75]

when i grow up i want to comprehend music on a level like you, Anthony. its really admirable. quite a breath of fresh air, in a world of "GIVE ME EVERYTHING TONIGHT"

[@IDontUsePicks]

Next classics week please review Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, Kid A, Paul's Boutique, Reign In Blood, Pinkerton, and Marquee Moon!

[@ledmikizeppelin]

Marquee Moon! Awesome

[@nickjames6939]

Yup, Marquee Moon 100%

[@YoshimizRobots]

"Black Saint and the Sinner Lady" is a masterpiece and totally review worthy

[@Chicago_Podcast_Authority]

more Zappa reviews please. Over-Nite Sensation or Roxy and Elsewhere

[@Anders-94]

I have listened to the album twice since seeing this review. Terrific album, love it! Peaches en Regalia is indeed a lovable track, I can see why Zappa called the album "a movie for the ears". Willie The Pimp is my second favorite after Peaches. Great guitar work. What album do you recommend I check out next?

[@andersonvolpato3759]

Dude, the best reviews about music I've ever seen...

[@Tashisajellyfish]

I completely and utterly love your reviews, I agree with all of your views and ideas. I seriously enjoy watching your videos. You're actually one of my favourite youtubers! I love it, very well done keep it up man!

[@byHexted]

Still waiting on a Zappa tier list

[@yak6915]

joes garage is like my top 20 albums of all time. i fw everything on that album

[@Anders-94]

Solid review, as always. I have not heard this album yet, but I'll check it out soon! Seems like interesting music.

[@Zomby1Woof]

That's one of my favorite albums too! I saw Zappa live once from the 6th row in 1975.

[@439Carter]

I love Zappa - I feel there are too many good records to choose one as a standout though - including hot rats... certainly One Size fits all, Grand Wazoo, Apostrophe, Filmore 71, Roxy & Elsewhere, Joe's Garage, Overnight Sensation are equal

[@thunderstruck560]

AHHHH THIS ALBUM :D Its not my favorite Zappa album, but i have like 5 or 6 favorite Zappa albums. Sheik Yerbouti, We're only in it for the money, Apostraphe, Overnite Sensation, Zoot Alures, Joe's Garage, and so many others. I got to see Zappa Plays Zappa on my birthday one year and it was fantastic to see live. I collect zappa albums (there are a fuckton of them) he released more music than anyone else i've ever seen. He is one of my favorite artists of all time and im glad is one of yours too

[@11889music]

Peaches en Regalia contains my favorite Zappa moments ever. It's sheer cosmic brilliance.

[@docbobster]

Hot damn--you are good at this! Great review.

[@SisterAbdulaX]

you should at least mention :QUANTITY. 16 track recording was a brand new medium

[@bandcouver]

Love Zappa, Beefheart, King Crimson. Another act you should check out is England's Cardiacs 1976-2008. More recent ones you might also like are Field Music, Dutch Uncles and Wave Pictures.

[@rafaelb1026]

This is a great review , all your reviews are very well constructed , I wish you would do more older album reviews, though your new album reviews are great , everything you review you review it fliudly and with such clear and concise ideas , and thanks to you I know so mucho about new groups and have new visions when listening to albums , Thanks ! keep up to good work

[@steam_jane5580]

Will be interesting to see what your thoughts on the album. I haven't listened to Zappa in a hot minute, but Apostrophe was always the Zappa album that resonated with me as a kid, I think because of the story in it and I now have my own copy of it. I had a love hate relationship as a young kid with the 'weasels ripped my flesh cover' because of how gruesome I used to find that cover. I was like I don't want to see it and imagined it as real and painful, but also found it interesting and want to keep looking. It's that abjection of wanting to look and liking but also not liking. My dads a massive Zappa fan, used to go to the Zappanale as a kid with my family, he'd do the quiz and ended up playing Lumpy Gravy there with my dad and his band Amm-All Stars (I did mostly improv, hand drum, words). To search up my dad you have to put Zappa to not find the footballer on wiki lmao. He wrote book on Zappa, met and interviewed Zappa and did something on it for the BBC ... This is all to say I'm no Zappa expert, but how I found Zappa was through the chance of my birth lmao.

[@gunsnhalen]

This album was an incredible work of art, amazing. Glad you reviewed it Anthony!

[@sanicyouth6540]

I would be interested on hearing your thoughts on Meet The Residents by The Residents.

[@johnappleseed8369]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another Residents fan :)

[@sanicyouth6540]

***** How is that so? They sound nothing alike. I think you're just being a hipster contrarian to stir up drama.

[@johnappleseed8369]

***** They're influenced by Beefheart but they sound nothing alike. Tom Wait's sounds more like Beefheart than our dearly beloved Residents..

[@woohooo9984]

I love the residents

[@arentyoumaria3027]

not available classics review when

[@FumJ79]

I'm pretty sure the instrumentation you were unsure of in Peaches is the Marimba. Dweezel's version of that tune arranged it for guitar.

[@FZmustacheFZ]

horowizard is right. Regardless of what Googling "octave bass" says, Frank did things different than most people. It is indeed a bass guitar recorded at half speed.

[@marthazard2]

Okay, now that I see you are a Frank fan I am subbed forever

[@pazzizlepants]

I think it's amazing that your reviewing classics, you should make this a monthly thing

[@clintstewart5545]

FRANK ZAPPA IS A LEGEND !!!

[@dgiglio84]

This is also one of my favorite albums of all time. Great review!

[@whitedwarf13]

You're completely right about Little Umbrellas. And the same could be said about a lot of Zappa's short instrumentals.

[@mfasiscrackbeats3543]

just checking this out now but...yeah. found this from digging and haven't looked back since. Zappa is The Man. #restinpower

[@sojirokaidoh2]

You really should review that Aquilus album, bro. It's like a week old, and you can listen to the whole thing on his bandcamp.

[@phoenixzappa7366]

Your should do more Zappa reviews needledrop

[@robdaviesillustration]

I transcribed drums, horns, sax, guitar keys and bass for peaches en regalia, thanks for for inspiration

[@analogasmr]

Excellent review, Fantano & this is one of my favorite albums also!!

[@XanderBBo]

I hope you review NMH or a classic '90s hip-hop album, or even a '00 underground classic, like Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein. Holy shit that'd be amazing. PLEASE REVIEW 'The Cold Vein', it makes the abstract sounds and lyrics on Shabazz Palaces' album look like a Gwen Stefani song. "Birds of the same feather flock together, congested on a majestic street corner"

[@jabba820]

“Look here fantano Who you jiving with that 4/10”

[@davidreuters8509]

BUT I GOT THE CRYSTAL BOL

[@Tashhagswag]

Apostrophe(') is a great Zappa album. Bongo Fury is great too!

[@G4700]

thank you for reviewing illmatic tomorrow!!!

[@flz_5848]

Jesus this man does not age

[@philouze1815]

Frank is missed. I wish I could find all his albums reviewed on YT. Y'know, just for fun. Frank, we miss you. Really.

[@visceralfate6803]

I love your reviews. You are an elite critic. You should work for rolling stone.

[@Acephale1312]

>Rolling Stone >Elite

[@justmebeingbored1794]

Good one, Manny.

[@Darkstarczar]

i know you said your a right now kinda guy but im sure i wouldnt be the only one who would appreciate more classics i respect your taste i would love to know what albums im missing out on im young so i didnt get to listen to my ancestors

[@TheGumboVariator]

Listen to Hot Rats , The Grand Wazoo , and Waka Jawaka for the jazz-fusion and Overnight Sensation , Apostrophe , Joe's Garage , Sheikh Yerbouti that are more representative of Zappa's style

[@BrainBurnStudios]

Trout Mask Replica! Please!!!

[@hollywoodraptor0016]

This record is fucking amazing! This record got me into Zappa.

[@GoldenNakai17]

WILLIE THE PIMP IS FUCKING AN ALL TIME CLASSIC

[@RyGrMan]

i play the album in the background when i watch this

[@MrHickory93]

The Devil Wears Prada's Dead Throne?? It came out a while ago but I've only just recently subbed to this channel lol

[@mikedemike5393]

this album wrote the software to say between jazz and rock...leading to miles's experiments...i think mahavishnu was there as well.....zappa was fully self aware of the art he was creating...he understood broadcasting...broad receiving...narrow casting and narrow reception...he did it on maximum fractal scale and minimum fractal scale...and knew or attempted to do that....ie ...play to audience and receive instant feedback of audience and create on that..

[@jbalboy1234]

Anthony, the intro guitar sound is made by muting the strings and tremolo picking, I saw a live version on the web somewhere a while back and that is how he did it, but I cant seem to find it now.

[@thevadercrucible]

Another great Zappa song that I wish had been fleshed out more was Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus from the album The Grand Wazoo. Nice review.