FRANK ZAPPA — We're Only in It for the Money (The Mothers Of Invention) (review)

FRANK ZAPPA — We're Only in It for the Money (The Mothers Of Invention) album cover Album · 1968 · Jazz Related Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
FunkFreak75
More anti-hippie/counter culture sarcasm and humorous social commentary using the musique concrète forms he's used on his three previous albums, Freak Out!, Absolutely Free, and Lumpy Gravy. Like those previous albums, this one proves quite challenging to render ratings to individual songs due to the predominant presence of odd and unusual tongue-in-cheek social commentary, theatric delivery of sarcasm, and quick stop and start, constantly shifting musical styles and forms. Like Lumpy Gravy, this is really meant to be experienced as a one (or two) act stage musical: all at once; the individual songs should rarely be examined outside of the context of the whole. One could argue, in fact, that this album (and many of Frank's albums) is not even progressive rock but purely Rock-In-Opposition because of the constant use of parody and sarcastic imitation of others' very recognizable styles and sounds. I mean: a look at the song titles alone ought to prepare the listener for the social criticism that they're in store for.

Frank (and Company)'s musical genius, social commentary, and creative wit are here all at their peak and are undeniably sharp and insightful (and humorous). The man's legendary status is not only well deserved but perhaps even grossly under-appreciated. As an American who lived through the famous excesses and indulgences of the Sixties, it is exceedingly entertaining and even a bit uncomfortable and embarrassing to listen to Frank's shrewd and unapologetic commentary of the flaws and hypocrisies of the times.

As a reflection of the awkwardness of a certain period of American history I'd call this album invaluable. As I pointed out before, I think Frank's early works provided the jumping off ground for many social satirists including George Carlin, Lenny Bruce, and, especially, Cheech and Chong. As a landmark of musical innovation and expression, I would not give the songs from this album much credit other than to acknowledge Frank's mastery of many, many, many particularly American musical styles that had gone before him. Therefore, I do not consider this essential music but instead a masterpiece of what is possible within the realms of recording and publication.

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Plexus Plexus Acid Jazz
WEB WEB
Buy this album from MMA partners
Return to the Joyous Lake World Fusion
FAREED HAQUE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Mother Harp Eclectic Fusion
MATT ULERY
Buy this album from MMA partners
Superblue : Guilty Pleasures, Vol. 2 RnB
KURT ELLING
Buy this album from MMA partners
Memories Dreams Reflections Hard Bop
NICOLE GLOVER
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Jed Levy Trio
JED LEVY
js· 2 hours ago
Web Web - Apotheosis
WEB WEB
js· 8 hours ago
Skywhale - Eternal Optimist The Rat (from the forthcoming reissue of The World At Mind's End)
SKYWHALE
PQR· 11 hours ago
Lessons In Flying
MATT ULERY
js· 15 hours ago
Turn To Stone
KURT ELLING
js· 15 hours ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed