Reviewing The Most Notorious Albums Ever!

[@careyatchison1348]

For me, TroutMaskReplica is a great album, one of many by this true maverick. I can totally understand it hitting most people upside the head. It certainly did that for me at first. It's arty party music; which is my cuppa tea.

[@spencerburke]

Nearly everything by the Captain is a great album. Even his 'commercial' albums have their points of interest. But TMR is perhaps the greatest of them all. Nowhere near as inaccessible as its reputation suggests. It does challenge. But it starts to make sense after a few listens.

[@brucetutton7897]

It's a massive challenge to be sure, but the musicians are spot on. It sounds random on the surface, but the whole band is just right there. It's amazing they all found each other. I can't say I enjoy this album, but I am blown away when I hear it.

[@spencerburke]

@@brucetutton7897 Yep - that is perfectly put. Except, I actually do enjoy it : )

[@twitchygiraffe4636]

Yeah! But it was downhill all the way after that for Beefheart wasn’t it! Never did a Trout Mask Replica again did he?! And fucked up his career by signing conflicting contracts with multiple record labels, so Frank Zappa did him a favour by helping him make some money by taking him out on tour with him!!!!

[@kevintaylor5079]

Beefheart is a total waste of tape.Weird does not equal talent .Same with Reed and Zappa .Zappa a so called genius who makes novelty records.However Reuben and the Jets is amazing

[@leighfoulkes7297]

There is no way that Captain Beefheart and his magical band didn't practice that album over and over because they wouldn't have been able to have played it at all. You can find some of their live performances of some of the songs and yes, they play note for note (they dance around too). I dig the album but I wouldn't castrate anyone for not liking this insane album.

[@sardonicus76]

According to Jimmy Carl Black, Beefheart & TMB went into the studio and recorded the entire TMR album in one take. They had it down cold. Zappa was at the controls during the recording session and even he couldn’t wrap his head around what they were doing.

[@seansweeney3532]

It's an experiment in avante-gard brainwashing. I love it. I'm compelled to say. For some reason. Because when you play it, the stylus releases nanobot spores that enter through your ear... each time the record plays, the spores increase, until they create a neuro-bypass over your thought centers controlling discernment and other stuff.... that I'm incapable of remembering...

[@seansweeney3532]

​@sardonicus76 yep!! The BBC special. They LLLOOOVED him in Europe. In fact, his label was Virgin for the last half of his career... and he had a cherry deal. Just do what you feel. They considered him a God. Yea, this guy (up above ^^^) doesn't know music from the other side. He likes boom tap boom tap, get it over with quick baby. Lol.

[@budsmoker4201120]

Castrate huh

[@Theslavedrivers]

If they put a lot of work/ effort into it, then that makes it *worse*.

[@rannisto12]

I'd never heard of The Shaggs before, thanks for letting me know about them. Their story sounds really interesting. They really have their place in history.

[@djcrystalclear8169]

Check this out - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4OwfWp7f9B1kLcsi=65rU6f7aQUn3G5E_ I sang and played in a tribute show, in front of them!

[@thepawsofdeception6564]

It's a brilliant album! I've loved it for years. On a side note, I believe My Pal Foot Foot was about their cat, not a human friend.

[@paulhancock1530]

Lol, “Anyway, it’s not a big penis”, the words I always look for in an album review 😂

[@Dagger-Deep]

Welcome to the small penis club my friend.

[@MisterMikeTexas]

I've heard that Iggy Pop and Peter Criss, on the other hand, are quite, um, well-endowed (or is that Ace Frehley, not Criss?). 😆

[@lawrencedavis4406]

Neil Young's ARC is a 1-track collage of snippets from live recordings on the "Ragged Glory" tour...and it was Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth who inspired the idea, they toured with Neil & Crazy Horse on that tour...i personally like it...Weld is a killer live album & this is a good companion piece...yes it's various starts pieced together, but that's the point...its a feedback collage from various performances...good for background music & it flows surprisingly well i think...

[@RobertFithen]

I agree it has a seamless quality.

[@Pwecko]

Captain Beefheart's band played large parts of Troutmask Replica live, so those parts were almost certainly composed and rehearsed many times. Dolly Parton famously said, " It costs me a lot of money to look this cheap". Similarly, it took a lot of hard work and practice by some very good musicians to sound as bad as Trout Mask Replica. Although I actually love the album. I bought it back in about 1973, when I was fifteen. I've always liked non-mainstream stuff.

[@RobertFithen]

It's becoming more and more mainstream which, I think, makes it lose it's charm.

[@finnsterling6514]

​@@RobertFithenWell, that and the fact that it fuggin sux.

[@tekharthazenyatta2310]

@@RobertFithen What, because it's also the mainstream view that Metal Machine Music is Lou Reed's unlistenable FU to his record label, for that reason you're more merciful in your review of it? Sounds like you're influenced by a lot of things besides the music, like those contrarian KZbin critics you were complaining about.

[@Icecreamforcrowtoo]

​@@RobertFithen Mainstream among whom?!

[@RobertFithen]

@@Icecreamforcrowtoo Rolling Stone, for just one example, has championed this album for decades, always putting it in their Top Albums of All-Time list. I see no other avant-garde, leftfield albums there. That's just one major example.

[@jasonshort1437]

Great video. I actually love Trout Mask, I've got a lot out of it over the years. Having said that, I can totally understand why normal people wouldn't like it. Love The Shaggs record too.

[@Dagger-Deep]

Nothing worse than being "normal".

[@RobertFithen]

I've heard just as many people saying they love it as hate it, which makes loving it somewhat "normal". Maybe that's one of the turnoffs for me.

[@dumpwoodhere]

Trout mask replica is loved by the High Fidelity music snobs. You hit the nail on the head with your opinion mate.

[@Raygeb4beauty]

@@dumpwoodhere well, I bought it on release (I already had the first two Magic Band albums and had seeen them play at Middle Earth), was a little non-plussed at first, but grew to love it, athough for the first twenty years or so never heard it on a Hi Fi system, just a good old box record player. Then again, I'm more into words, theatre, literature and performance than I am 'music', which is what I believe 'High Fidelity music snobs' are/were into.

[@mikel4797]

I will have to watch again as i missed lots due to laughing so much at your sound effects. Brilliant😂

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!!

[@l.salisbury1253]

The Shags were genuinely terrible... they were also genuinely TEN YEARS AHEAD OF THEIR TIME!! Starting roughly 1979 there were several UK post-punk/art-punk bands who where INTENTIONALLY sounding like "Philosophy of the World": The Raincoats, Delta 5, Essential Logic, Kleenex (aka Lilliput), the Slits... these bands got on the Euro Top 40 and developed small-but-loyal American cult followings! (Dorothy Wiggin even recorded a solo album for Alternative Tentacles Records!)

[@Cynicalian]

Trout Mask is a masterpiece, everyone's opinion is to some extent valid, however there are reasons why Trout Mask is so important. It's probably the first attempt by anyone inside rock or popular music to make a deschooled album. The Captain (Don) wrote the entire album on piano, an instrument he couldn't play, making notes about his finger positions in order to notated the discordancy of what he was composing and then rehearsing the Magic Band for weeks until they got the songs perfect for recording. It's not an easy listen, it's not really meant to be enjoyable but it's one hell of statement. You don't have to be an intellectual or a critic to get this record, it really is just a different way of writing and performing and the influence of Trout Mask on artists as varied as Scott Walker and Tom Waits. At pretty much the same time as Trout Mask Tim Buckley recorded 'Starsailor' also for Frank Zappa's Straight label, but Buckley made the decision to break up the discordancy of `Starsailor with a couple of more accessible songs. Perhaps the great thing Robert is that bought a copy and gave it a go, but I wouldn't put Trout Mask along with the other records in this list, Trout Mask really is something different and it should be seen in that context.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

I love Trout Mask but i love weird stuff. I also love that most people hate it.

[@l.salisbury1253]

Captain Beefheart has always been- and will always be- an acquired taste...

[@northernvinylguy]

Hey Robert, that was hilarious. I'd heard of The Shaggs, but had never taken the time to check them out. I went on Spotify just to hear My Pal Foot Foot and this is truly some remarkably bad stuff.. you are completely right about its authenticity. I don't think there's anyone out there that could truly represent this and actually keep a straight face. Thanks for the laughs on this one!

[@johns126]

Great ! Very funny stuff Robert, thanks for the comedy gold 😅

[@videoplusdvd]

While it is an awkward album, “Philosophy Of The World” is also an album you must hear before you die. I do listen to in in full on occasion because does fall under the “so bad it’s good” category.

[@djcrystalclear8169]

It was hard to learn most of their songs! kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4OwfWp7f9B1kLcsi=65rU6f7aQUn3G5E_

[@mattskustomkreations]

It’s 3 different musicians playing 4 different songs. 😂. Once you get over laughing your butt off, it actually starts growing on you.

[@alv4794]

"An evening with Wild Man Fischer" is another weird one you might want to check out

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!! I've never heard of it. I will check it out.

[@waterskym]

​@@RobertFithenWell if you must, but don't pay a lot for it. Larry Fischer was a talent free acapella busker who struggled with homelessness and mental health problems, and Zappa exploitation of him in retrospect isn't cool.

[@rockandrollgraveyard]

I love that album! My father bought it new in 1969

[@kensims4086]

Dr. Demento always played my name is larry.

[@MickSupper]

That Metal Machine Music sounds interesting. Music like that is normal to me, so I'll have to check it out. Even Brian Eno has a drone album that's an hour long "song" and only has a slight variation of sounds throughout. Trout Mask Replica is great, and I don't say that based on the shallow reasons why you say someone would like it. It's fine if you don't get it though. I've been listening to "out there" music since I was around 12 or 14 years old, back in the 80s and greatly enjoy it. It's funny because I don't really like Revolution 9. I think it's a little amateurish, but I give them props for putting it on the album.

[@sjbang5764]

I'm not smarter than anyone, really, and I don't mind if anyone else likes, or dislikes Captain Beefheart. I bought Trout Mask Replica in 1972, after I had heard Lick My Decals Off Baby. I was like 17 years old. I had never heard anything even close to these records musically in my life. My friends and I studied these albums. We would listen to TMR and LMDOB over, and over and over again, trying to divine the lyrics, and follow the music as it zig-zagged along way out there, like nothing any of us were aware of, anyway. Of course, I was into Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Albert King, Michael Bloomfield, Butterfield Blues Band, etc. The point being I was familiar with the blues, I was familiar with a lot of music, but this, this was just so different, daring. It was definitely chaos magic. I love your channel, and I appreciate your views, Robert, thanks for your honest opinions. PS - Two Virgins was murder! That said, I do have several of Yoko's albums, (check out Fly and Approximately Infinite Universe, for her earlier work, as well as Between My Head and the Sky for later stuff) and well she was so far ahead of John it's not funny, and I love John! But that's another argument/discussion for later.

[@scmkar]

I like the way you talked about Yoko - with respect while still pointing out that sometimes, her contributions were unlistenable. The Internet is full of haters, its crazy. Most people dont know anything about her work, that she already was an accomplished (non-musical) artist when she met John. Anyway, the video is hilarious haha.

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!!

[@wanderer299a]

Yeah wearing a sanitary towel as a blindfold on stage...very revolutionary. Chuck and Eric gave their glares when she started wailing at live peace in Toronto

[@ThePinkfloyd51]

This was a great video Robert, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only LP in my collection I could think of that could possibly be on this video is Tony Conrad & Faust's 'Outside The Dream Syndicate", but I actually love that album. If you've never heard it, check it out! It's mesmerizing.

[@RobertFithen]

I have a couple of Faust albums, but I've never heard that one.

[@ThePinkfloyd51]

@@RobertFithen Definitely check it out. I actually think you'll like it but most normal people would think it's absurd.

[@fallandbounce]

The first Shaggs album was recorded shortly after their formation, while their second was done when they'd gotten a better grasp on what they were doing. The naive innocence was still there, but they were playing better constructed songs. They used to play after school dances up the road from where I was living at the time. The Sing It Again, Sam album sounds like a good mescaline record.

[@plasticsoundwavecult]

Great video. All of the stories are fantastic. That Shaggs story is crazy. I never heard that many Beatles songs as a kid. I knew more about John Lennon than the Beatles due to his assassin. The first song I sat down to listen to by the Beatles was “Revolution 9” after going to a Jerry Garcia concert. I couldn’t believe they could make a song like that. Been a fan of them ever since. That song will always be in my top ten of their songs. I’m so glad you brought the shirt up. I was wondering, “Why does Robert look like he’s been hit by shrapnel after a golfer and Rastafarian jumped on a grenade?” “TALKiN’ REKKEDS!”

[@RobertFithen]

I can't imagine being introduced to the Beatles through "Revolution 9". The first Beatles song I heard was "Mr. Moonlight". lol

[@djcrystalclear8169]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4OwfWp7f9B1kLcsi=65rU6f7aQUn3G5E_

[@juliatutor8099]

We have to say it: You are EXACTLY the right guy to do this video....I haven't laughed this hard since your April Fool's joke of 2023..Bravo!!! Peace and Love, Terry and Julia Tutor

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!! I appreciate that you get my attempts at humor.

[@bodowen]

@@RobertFithendude, you (and Pat Finnerty) are the funniest people on the internet. I don’t even collect records, but I never miss an episode!

[@thebillryan]

Hearing there was an " 8 track version of Metal Machine Music, just in case you wanted to listen to it while driving around in your car" was the first time I laughed today. After approximately 9 hours and 11 minutes I started to guffaw my head of. Keep it up Robert!!

[@_emptyheaven_]

Dude always comes through with the great shirt

[@billphelps5611]

Trout Mask is a masterpiece. I love it and all of his records.

[@ChrisEstey]

I love how you find the actual (if specialized) value of MMM, you're making me want to finally check out Trout Mask Replica. I've had chances for forty years, but put it off because I wanted to hear someone with great taste express an honest opinion about it. Now I'm intrigued enough to check out, but doubt I'll buy, Great reviews! ... Your support of "Revolution #9" proves you know exactly what you're talking about, btw.

[@jbb-cj1md]

I suspect that a lot of the people who like Trout Mask also have a few albums by The Residents in their collection.

[@altohippiegabber]

lol yes I am guilty

[@richmoreno9938]

A couple of WTF songs you should definitely hear once are “Invasion Of The Polaroid People” and “Fred Loves Betty”. Both tracks are from Kim Fowley. I enjoyed your vid!

[@jimalaimo8467]

I just listened to Sing It Again, Sam! FANTASTIC! I haven't laughed for 18 minutes straight in a long time! It's a keeper. Thanks for the recommendation!😂

[@tendraftsdeep]

Just started the video buzzed up. This is gold! Not sure if you will discuss legend guitarist Pat Metheny "Zero Tolerance for Silence" but it's definitely a head shaker. Keep on rockin Mr Fithen!

[@jasperburchfield2028]

I love that one.

[@tendraftsdeep]

@@jasperburchfield2028 I got it on CD, it's wild

[@RobertFithen]

It's on my list to check out.

[@SH-ud8wd]

This video is really fun. Thank you! There is a record called "The glory (?) of the human voice" from a rich lady, who believed she had the voice of an opera star and was wrong. It shakes you to the bone. They made even a movie of her story. Her name was Florence Foster Jenkins. Didn't Frank Zappa like the Shaggs?

[@jbb-cj1md]

Ms. Jenkins was said to have been the inspiration for the talentless Susan Alexander character in Citizen Kane.

[@RobertFithen]

I've seen that movie about her, but never actually heard the real person.

[@SH-ud8wd]

The records are on KZbin, if you have a good nervous system.

[@curly_wyn]

Hey Robert Fithen! As it Should Be brought me here to you, and I just want to say that you are hilarious and wonderful! Subscribed!! 😊

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!! That's my favorite channel.

[@hughoshea-official]

Hey, Robert. That was fantastic. I was laughing out loud; especially about 'Metal Machine Music'. I don't have time right now to watch the whole clip. But I shall return. You have a very engaging and wonderful style of communicating your passion. I've liked and subscribed. Thank you.

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks! I appreciate it!

[@BillsBoxOfSound]

I agree with just about everything in this video except for Trout Mask Replica. I completely understand that you don't like it, but I love the album and have been listening to it for decades. OMG that Sam Sacks is repulsive!

[@russkinter3000]

I love "Trout Mask Replica" I love it so much that I got on a factory PA system and yelled "Tits! Tits! The Mother ship! The Mother ship! Yes, I got away with it.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

😂

[@RobertFithen]

I once taught at a broadcasting school where someone put that song about "my neck, my back, my pussy, and my crack" song on the PA. lol

[@FireMoon42]

Props for the Brainticket reference, "White Noise - Electric Storm, was one i thought might make the list. It's notorious as a party killer in the UK.

[@lucyevans7945]

Three reasons I thoroughly enjoyed your video… 1. Your information and delivery is interesting and fun. 2. Your shirt is awesome! 3. You could literally be Mark Hamill’s brother 😂 You have a new subscriber. Thank you for the awesome content!

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks! I appreciate it.

[@angel2of7death]

This had me rolling!! Amazing upload.

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!!

[@GeoffMears]

Bravo, Robert! Your review of Two Virgins had me cracking up. Ditto on the Elvis disc. "Its a talkin' record!" LOL I havent listened to Trout Mask Replica, but I'm aware of its reputation. I might like it, but I might not. Guess I'll find out. Don't know if you've listened to Safe as Milk yet, but I found it it to be a faurky accessible album.

[@erics8757]

Very interesting vid! Great shirt. Your hair looks great that way. 👍

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!! The hair was the barber's suggestion "for the new year".

[@dancingbear86]

Good video. The Shaggs album is a classic. I recently got it on CD. Yoko Ono’s Apple Records albums have some great tracks on them. “Greenfield Morning” is awesome. 😊

[@djcrystalclear8169]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4OwfWp7f9B1kLcsi=65rU6f7aQUn3G5E_

[@chicagotransitauthority3161]

Trout Mask Replica is my 2nd favorite album, such a crazy and weird experimental record. I think it got me into Avant-Garde Jazz As for your review, I accept your review, but we can agree to disagree 😏

[@davidsimpson8192]

This was a really fun post to listen to and watch ... i love your humour an take on these ridiculous releases.. Don t Play it again Sam 😂

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!!

[@andrewmacdonald3667]

I first came across a lot of this stuff via Lester Bangs. Thanks Lester! 😵‍💫

[@randymixter7432]

In the early 80s I often played the Shaggs album in my record store. My regular customers either loved it, and sometimes actually sang along with it, or hated it with a passion. I recently played it for my wife. Her resulting therapy session fees informed me of my mistake.

[@mikedearinger9390]

Robert, Another John and Yoko record that is awful was Life with the Lions/ Cambridge 1969. The only Yoko record I could get through was a later one called Walking on Thin Ice. Great shirt!

[@arzabael]

When you talked about having fun with Elvis. “Oh look honey I gotta talkin record!” Oh my gosh I haven’t laughed that hard in a while.

[@davidtaylor6663]

that shirt is ridiculous and spot on for the topic of your video...nice work Robert Fithen

[@ICenobyte1962]

Hey Robert! There are 4 Yoko songs I actually like: "Walking On Thin Ice" of which actually charted, "Kiss Kiss Kiss" was a dance hit I think, "Who has seen the wind" flip side of "Instant Karma" and finally " Remember Love" flip side of "Give peace a chance". I was really young when I heard these but, I do like them.

[@kookamunga2458]

Yoko does have a couple of good songs . Her song Yang Yang is alright.

[@RobertFithen]

I've heard all of those actually. I remember being put off by "Who Has Seen the Wind?", but I heard it when I was really young, too, expecting something like The Beatles.

[@Bigchet1223]

Yoko has no talent. Never has.

[@kookamunga2458]

@@Bigchet1223 I agree but the rest of The Plastic Ono band was ok sometimes.

[@andyl4565]

Excellent video. I had no idea that some of these albums existed.

[@2ridiculous41]

Sad story with no baby: Hemmingway (so the story goes) was asked how short he could make a story and he came back with... "For sale. Baby's shoes. Never worn"

[@RobertFithen]

That's genius.

[@stevenk7841]

This is the funniest thing I’ve seen for a long time. Bravo! 😂

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!!

[@sandyfader4649]

I agree with you, your shirt could be described as a cash grab. But your hair is looking fine. And another fun video from you once again.

[@2ridiculous41]

Composer Samuel Andreyev (has a youtube channel) not only has a thorough review of Trout Mask Replica but analysis of some tracks and looooong interviews with all the musicians. You HAVE TO LIKE THE ALBUM to want to sit through it all, but if you do LIKE THE ALBUM it's fascinating. You have been warned. And that comes from someone who actually met Captain Beefheart.

[@H-mu4bo]

"Metal machine music" by accident, created many genres and influence. It can be quite hypnotic and it is like an aural magic eye puzzle. But like ambient Eno, this just irritates after 15 mins. Literally like a migraine headache to music. Cpt Beefheart did great albums like "Clear Spot", and "Doc at the Radar Station" but yes "Trout Mask Replica" is exactly what is described here, noodling with tape machines, being weird and random for the hell of it. "Neon meate dream of an Octofish" and "Pena" is pure mind disintegrating weird to the point of possible mental patient admission. The Shaggs album is kinda cute, and likeable. They were oddly cohesive in an extreme amateur kind of way. A bit overexposed attention wise , but the story behind it is pure crazy.

[@RobertFithen]

Aural magic eye is a great way to describe "Metal Machine Music."

[@Dagger-Deep]

I love trout mask replica and I'd give it 6 stars if i could. Don't give me any shit, some of you guys like Kiss.

[@JeffK.]

The ultimate throwdown, from which there is no recovery.

[@Mustang_Sally_]

Metal Machine Music is AWESOME i love it its one of the best/my favorite albums ever its just so cool that it exists like you said, i may have put my own personifications onto it by imagining the feedback as like EVERY sound any guitar has ever made and will ever make onto one record like BIBLICAL proportions but its not that deep i know but its still awesome to wonder at and lou looks SO COOL on the cover... Also I forgot about Yoko's Plastic Ono Band "Why" is really great

[@jeffreyg4626]

Great job! Never heard of Shaggs or Sacks. More please!

[@cliffordhodge1449]

Nice video. You are right about the Shaggs music being fascinating. Their music is odd in an odd way, and I would really like to know more about the creation process. They did have some formal training, and when they came into the studio, they handed the engineer their sheet music. Yes, they had taken the trouble to transcribe it. If Zappa liked them so much, as he claimed, and members of NRBQ went to such lengths to locate them and get their album re-issued, it is because there is something else there beside your garden variety musical naivete.

[@djvinylvertigo]

This video literally had me peeing pants!! I remember getting Two Virgins as a kid and thinking it was cool to have an album with naked John Lennon on it. Listened to it only once!!😂 I loved Why and Why Not, because I used to get high and listen to those with my friends!! I would love to hear The Shags!! Have you heard Mrs. Miller?! Absolutely hilarious!!! Robert, thank you! Killer video!!🤣🤣

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks! I' probably going to review Mrs. Miller in a follow-up.

[@steverogers2635]

Excellent video! Thank you Robert for calling out "Trout Mask Replica" for the steaming pile that it really is. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[@miketomlin6040]

It might be the best Lp in Robert's collection, he probably owns Led Zeppelin records!!

[@finnsterling6514]

Yup. 100%. Can't "This" this comment enough. So thank YOU!

[@MisterMikeTexas]

"Metal Machine Music" is an experience, for sure. Also, I recommend "European Son", the last track on "Velvet Underground And Nico". And, there's "The Murder Mystery", on side two of the self-titled "Velvet Underground" album. As for Captain Beefheart, I like "Ice Cream For Crow". As for Frank Zappa, try "Help! I'm A Rock!" from his Mothers Of Invention days.

[@GerardBrummer]

The most hilarious review of The Most Notorious Albums Ever! 😂🤣😂Just GREAT!

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks!!

[@RecordKrate]

I’m here for Duran Duran, Notorious, which I love!

[@RobertFithen]

I did another video which focuses on more conventional bad albums like that.

[@RecordKrate]

@@RobertFithen What? Bad? Life is now over 🏴‍☠️

[@JoyDivision88]

I had TMR on vinyl and could not get into it until I got it on CD. Not having to get up and change the record over and suddenly I got it. Love it.

[@christoddur]

1. I love your shirt. 2. You need to hear Yoko's APPROXIMATELY INFINITE UNIVERSE from 1973. It truly is a five star album - and it will give you a whole new perspective of Yoko and just how misunderstood she was (is). 3. I'm surprised there's no mention of Lou Reed's album with Metallica, LULU. Quite possibly even worse than METAL MACHINE MUSIC, considering the talent involved. 4. Van Morrison's CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION album, which he recorded to close out his contract with Bert Berns for Bang! Records, is quite hilarious. Needs a listen. 5. Elton John's VICTIM OF LOVE is notoriously bad, yet campy fun at the same time. I'm actually one of the few who like LEATHER JACKETS and do not fully understand the hate towards it - it's better than ICE ON FIRE and REG STRIKES BACK (and WONDERFUL CRAZY NIGHT, which was awful).

[@RobertFithen]

I thought "Lulu" was OK in places. I thought Metallica did OK with it, but Lou Reed playing the role of a young girl in one song was just not a good idea. I have another video where I talk about bad albums that are more conventional like "Victim of Love". ("Leather Jackets" was the Elton John album I chose for that one.) I will check out those Yoko Ono and Van Morrison albums.

[@davidellis5141]

I enjoyed Frank Zappa on CSPAN defending El Duce & The Mentors & their classic You Axed 🪓 For It album before the PRMC .. They were appalled by the behavior of Darling Nikki as well ..

[@allanforrester2612]

I'm with you all the way about professional music critics. I grew up taking them very seriously, and being upset if they didn't like my favourites. Now I realise their opinions were never any more valid than mine, or anyone else's.

[@axelheyst2397]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I like your style. Way back when i actually bought Two Virgins on 8-track mainly for the naked album cover & because I was a Beatles fan. Big mistake--have hated Yoko ever since. I'm interested to hear the Shaggs now.

[@sandyatkins6978]

I love all of Captain Beefheart's discography. But at the same time, Trout Mask was many times the record I would break out when I wanted my friends to go home.

[@beatlejeb]

George Harrison's "Electronic Sound" would be a good one for a follow-up. It's just him messing around with a Moog synthesizer. Supposedly, side 2 is a Moog demonstration by Bernie Krause that Harrison recorded without his permission.

[@mikem3695]

I heard a video by Fran Blanche talking about showing Harrison a guitar pedal she made and he walked off with it. Any truth to that? With your name I figured you might know.

[@RobertFithen]

I can't believe I forgot about that album

[@adamfindlay7091]

Kudos for Captain. He's the real deal. A poet. The music is jazzy broken bicycle acid trip Maple syrup. But yeah a lot of a following on TMR. It is polarizing.

[@seansweeney3532]

I had a sealed quad version of metal machine music on 8 track tape. Sold it for $600!! That was the most valuable 8 track ever produced in quantity... I got to listen to it years later... and a was like "this??? This??? Really??" Lol

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

I agree about the critics. I've gotten to the point where if a critic likes something I immediately know not to bother with it, and vice versa. BTW, your hair is looking rather lovely with the new cut.👍🏻🙂

[@briannewell6064]

You really should listen to The Shaggs again. It has a way of getting under your skin and staying there. I bought The 1980 Red Rooster reissue on the strength of NRBQs Terry Adams recommendation and it is one of my all time favorite recordings. The original 1969 release on Third World Recordings is nearly impossible to find. Fascinating indeed.

[@Pluralofvinylisvinyls]

I originally thought people only listened to the Shaggs ironically because it seemed so awful to me. Maybe I should listen again too

[@briannewell6064]

Give it another listen. There's something going on here that I can't put my finger on but it is unique as hell and seems organic in its ineptness.Charming may be the correct description.@@Pluralofvinylisvinyls

[@kevintaylor5079]

WDST in Woodstock NY rated The Shaggs records as the worst for years on their worst album shows.

[@stephenrostkoski837]

I'm familiar with most of your selections, but only own two of them. The only way I can listen to Trout Mask Replica is one side per listening session. That's usually enough to just get me interested before getting too annoyed. My favorite element of the Shaggs is the drumming, which in a weird way is almost Keith Moon-like. Not rhythmic, but an attempt to follow the melody. Genius!

[@feraljane]

I love this! Clearly he’s not a fan of noise, experimental music, or outsider music. Which actually makes this great. Was unfamiliar with the Elvis album but I think I need that to go with my Co Star albums and suchlike. ETA - dude listened to Metal Machine Music twice. Even though he knew it wasn’t his thing. So much respect for that. (That was the first album that came to mind when he was giving his intro.).

[@iamjackscompletelackofsurp9606]

Ya the look on chuck berrys face during that jam where yoko goes nuts. Classic! 😂😂

[@Monetize_This]

You missed the boat on Trout Mask. (Surprise there’s someone who disagrees..). Watch any of the interviews with the former band members. They literally learned the songs but by bit, and someone actually spent time notating the songs. It’s also an acquired taste And you have to have an ear for the avant- garde and can tolerate dissonance. Love the lyrics… I can see why people don’t like it but there’s some nice stuff on here if you take the time. I mean, it takes effort to get a lot of modern jazz too. You mentioned Ornette Coleman and he’s often blamed as a precursor to jazz losing its way in the post-bop era…Remember the Rites of Spring was also considered noise at first. There is a level of pretentiousness here though that is both naive and cacophonous but I think when they hit the mark, it’s stellar. It’s not easy listening. I agree with all of your other takes…

[@thedream-workdoesnotthink4512]

I agree with you about avant-garde pretensions - no one is obliged to like any particular album. That said, Trout-Mask is very musical. The material was composed, and performed repeatedly. Samuel Andreyev, a classically -trained composer, has made an interesting analysis of the song Frownland (on KZbin). It's musical, but no one is obliged to like it for that reason. The Rolling Stones for example are very musical, but they do nothing for me. Same with Zep. 🙂 On Elvis: There are some hilarious recordings of him railing against tabloids. Well worth a listen

[@Angus_T]

I feel that Spudloks album BIH as promoted by Bill on the channel Bill's Box Of Sound deserves an honorable mention here. Bought it, had it shipped all the way to Greenland, just to hear what it was all about, and honestly guys, I loved it. Yeah Yeah, go ahead and pigeonhole me with all those artsy fartsy music experts that Robert rightly puts down as the elitist snobs they are. I loved it for all its strangeness and weird sounds. Thank you Robert for yet another great, interesting and very entertaining video.

[@RobertFithen]

Thanks! I will check that out.

[@pyrielrising4338]

Thank You for keeping the cover on with Two Virgins.....No one needs to see that! Gordon photo was hysterical.

[@keithbertschin1213]

Behave yourself, Trout Mask Replica is a genuine work of genius. I’m not saying it doesn’t feel you’ve been put through the ringer but like coming home from war, you survived! I’ll buy it from you but I bet you don’t want to lose it cos deep down, you know Robert, you know. Yoko love was justified and appreciated, to say she’s patchy is an understatement but when she’s good, man Yes, The Wedding Album & Life With the Lions don’t depart too much. There’s no Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da!

[@SeanKagalis]

"It's Halloween" from The Shaggs always makes my Halloween playlist.

[@dillongstaff5625]

Trout mask replica is one of my fave 100 albums .No compilations. Odd list with obvious titles (Beatles,Rolling Stones,Van Morrison,Joni Mitchell) rubbing shoulders with My Bloody Valentine,Sonic Youth,Yoko Ono,Richard and Linda Thompson,The Band,Spacemen 3,PIL,Miles Davis and Kasami Washington

[@kubhlaikhan2015]

TroutMaskReplica is great, but everything else was hilarious - even without playing us any samples. You MUST do a sequel - there must be plenty of material out there.

[@haweater1555]

Re: Lou Reed's MMM: An 8-track fan site called this rarity simultaneously the most appropriate album for 8T (consisting of 4 equal length programs played on a continuous never-ending cycle), and the most absurd for 8T (being even the original vinyl release to have virtually no commercial potential). Apparently this album is popular in Japan, which has a bigger "noise music" scene.

[@RobertFithen]

Here's a fun fact. Bob Seger's "Live Bullet" is also four programs of the same length without changing the order of the songs.

[@Icecreamforcrowtoo]

Trout Mask Replica is a gem. I sincerely think it's a five star album and I'm hardly a pretentious snob. But to each his own. However, it's not really in dispute that all that "chaos" on the record was actually very carefully planned out. The Magic Band were extremely talented. I do agree with you that a lot of people who would give TMR five stars do grandstand like you say. I think that's annoying too. People do it with movies quite a bit too.

[@modgodel]

💯

[@paulduckitt3268]

I love watching you tube Trout Mask reactions !!!! I have friends who say its the greatest album ever. Its the same for me with people who say their first ever gig was life changing (its always The Clash/Joy Division/Smiths etc) the first gig was never Kajagoogoo

[@RobertFithen]

I have a video about that too (people saying their first concert was some legendary punk band, etc.) lol

[@mrkgrmn3]

I loved Metal Machine Music and even bought it on DVD. Unfortunately the blu-ray was sold out.

[@SzcZ]

Trout Mask Replica is a 5 star for me, sincerely love it. It's the first album I ever got on a CD. I can't stand anything from Elvis for more than 1 minute though... So there are different folks. Oh, I also have Metal Machine Music on shelf, though I don't think I ever listened to it whole, but it's amazing that it exists.

[@waynechapman9823]

I have “Metal Machine Music,” “Trout Mask Replica,” “Yoko Ono / Plastic Ono Band,” “Pop Tari,” and “Philosophy of the World.” I’m particularly fond of the Shaggs. Of those I don’t have, I’d like to get “Two Virgins” just cause I’m a big Beatles fan. I wouldn’t expect much from it. One album you could have covered is Van Dyke Parks’ “Song Cycle,” which is featured in that book despite having a pretty good reputation among critics. It’s certainly bewildering but also kinda charming.

[@davepounds8924]

Great video on these unnecessary albums!! Especially loved the review of Lou’s Metal Machine I applaud you for listening to this train wreck 2 times! I took it off after 5 minutes and gave it away to a friend!!!

[@timriley7711]

Hey Robert, great video. With regards to ARC, have you heard Half Man Half Biscuit’s wonderful song, “Look Dad no tunes” with the line, “And I’ve seen him walk through the park a lot, And I bet he listens to Arc a lot”? Makes me smile every time, as my big bro had the album ARC

[@timriley7711]

Btw, the same song also has the genius line “And I feel cursed and sore, like I’m Thurston Moore-like”

[@RobertFithen]

I'll have to check it out for that line alone. lol

[@nicholassheffo5723]

The hilarious book WORST ROCK N ROLL RECORDS OF ALL TIME agrees with you and should be read after seeing this, another great video from you!!!

[@Theslavedrivers]

That is an essential book.

[@jbb-cj1md]

I had heard a story years ago that Reed released Metal Machine Music just because he owed a recording to his record label, a label that he apparently wasn't happy with. As far as Trout Mask Replica, Van Vliet apparently had no musical talent, and the directions that he would give to his bandmates as to how he wanted them to perform were somewhat similar to the type of directions that Erik Satie would sometimes give vis-a-vis how his compositions should be performed; for example; "Play like a nightingale with a toothache."

[@bakeone4406]

Van Vliet didn't read music or have much technical proficiency on any instrument other than the harmonica. All of the original Magic Band members have acknowledged that he was a great harp player. They also have a lot to say about his poor work habits and tyrannical behavior. None of those players, (who were all excellent musicians) after leaving his band put out anything as innovative or groundbreaking. It took a lot of work to compose and play the music on this record. The raw stupidity of the host here provides a great example of the Dunning Kruger effect (like many mental weaklings he fails to understand that I don't get it doesn't automatically mean that it sucks or that it's "nonsense"). There are quite a few "real people" who have listened to Trout Mask Replica enough to have it playback in the head and recognize what's going on. Checking out Safe as Milk might help you get to a point where you won't want to advertise the fact that you have a poorly informed opinion when it comes to Trout Mask Replica.

[@jbb-cj1md]

@@bakeone4406 Actually, I'm not quite sure where I put forth any "opinion" about Trout Mask Replica. I like Captain Beefheart, and have several of their albums. Nowhere did I mention in my comment that I didn't like Trout Mask. all I mentioned was the fact that Van Vliet was known for giving his bandmates rather curious and inscrutable directions as to how he wanted them to perform the music.Perhaps if you had read my comment more closely and not have jumped to conclusions, you wouldn't have advertised the fact that you accused me of implying something that I did not, actually, imply.

[@bakeone4406]

@@jbb-cj1md Sorry about any confusion. The comment was directed at the host (in response to his feeble poorly assembled conclusions). It would be difficult to know exactly what happened during the making of TMR. I'm in the middle of reading the book by John French, the drummer and guy who had to translate Van Vliet's piano work into something the band could play. It's kind of a long painful read that might be less than objective at times.

[@rodjones117]

@@bakeone4406 Spot on

[@danielceo4694]

Some notorious albums I've heard: 1. Chocolate and Cheese by Ween--there have been some friends of mine that have told me, "You should hear this, it's brilliant!" And, I must admit, the brilliance escaped me. It just sounded like noise to me. "The Mollusk" was entertaining and fun, but this one lost me and kinda freaked me out. A 1970 EP by Fleetwood Mac--the title of this record escapes my memory, but the story behind this from what I understand is that when the big Mac were getting ready to release Then Play On, the band kinda felt bad that there wasn't any showcase for Jeremy Spencer, so they let him have his way in the studio with the rest of the band backing him up. The record sounds like an old radio show, featuring Spencer spoofing fifties style Rock-'n'-roll, blues, psychedelic rock, Alexis Korner, etc. This was originally released as a companion EP with promotional copies of Then Play On. It's good, entertaining fun once one gets the idea, but when I first heard it, I was like, "Ummm...ok..." The Way-Out Record For Children by Bruce Haack--yeah, I tried to play this for my son, to see if it might be something he could jump and dance to. It didn't work. So, yeah! Although there is an interesting video on KZbin of Bruce Haack demonstrating a homemade synthesizer he called The Electric Lucifer to Mr. Rogers...

[@AsItShouldBePodcast]

At last! Been waiting for this one. And you managed to get Sam Sacks in there. Was completely unaware of the Elvis album which sounds like sort of a precursor to the great KZbin release of Paul Stanley's "People, Let Me Get This Off My Chest!"....though probably far less funny.

[@RobertFithen]

A Paul Stanley album like that sounds like a hilarious idea.

[@bak-mariterry9143]

​@@RobertFithen Or an album of Ace laughing.

[@harrysmusicroom]

We need a UHQR of "Sing It Again Sam" so glad to hear someone else say they don't like Sonic Youth

[@RobertFithen]

It's such a short album, it could probably be at 45rpm too.

[@davidpeet6925]

I actually like the Shags album a lot. What struck me about it first is the lyrics. They come 100% from the heart; the naiveté, the angst, the confusion, and the innocence of the average teen girl in the late sixties is so palpable. You can't knock the honesty of the lyrics; there's nothing fake about them at all. Also, I disagree with you about the lack of melody. I love the melody from "I'm so happy when you're near". I don't think I've ever heard a melody quite like that; big props to the girls for being able to sing it too, it's not an easy melody to sing. The last 30 seconds of "That little sports car" is actually pretty funky. I love the dissonance at the very end. As for the title track, it sounds off each time they go into the chorus, but it's off the SAME WAY each time. I think they knew exactly what they were doing. The whole album to me is just so sweet and adorable.

[@garyscarpulla100]

Nice fresh cut Robert!