Alright---need some insights..... Capt Beefhearts "Trout Mask Replica"....
why do some people go into total rapture over this album ??
Ever since I read a lengthy story about Beefheart / Trout Mask in Rolling Stone magazine back around 1969 I have tried many times to listen to this and get into it, but its no use......
what is the draw here....? I don't get it--never have.....sounds like a lot of...I don't know what. Help me please you Beefheart experts out there. What am I missing?
I have to say I loved his earlier stuff like 'Safe As Milk", but have never
understood why this album has received so much praise.
It doesn't grab me as good blues, or good jazz, or go rock.......what is it?

Ugh... I don't even want to give the record a go. It actually lappeared on a Q magazine list of albums that you are told are masterpieces, but in reality, are total shite.

It's the album I put on to clear people out from parties at the end of the night. Got some great moments on it though.

I find it unlisteneble basically, but the importance is clear. Just like in surreal art, it shedds many 'basic' rules of music, and combines many 'rules' from various different music forms. It is a succesful experiment, spawning many more experiments and forms of music.

Mathijs

This double-album is unreal good sounding...could be that....

2 1 2 0

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Mathijs
I find it unlisteneble basically, but the importance is clear. Just like in surreal art, it shedds many 'basic' rules of music, and combines many 'rules' from various different music forms. It is a succesful experiment, spawning many more experiments and forms of music.

Mathijs

I always think the whole album is "mad joke" - and not to be taken too seriously.I guess, it's important, cause no-one had never ever done anything like that. and yeah, It broke all "rules" of music, it's conceptual art, surreal - and avantgarde. for those reasons it can be seen as truly important artistic free jazz statment of musical freedom - but can I listen to it - No.

It gives me a headache.

i'm a strictly personal man myself

Safe As Milk is my favourite. Ry Cooder really adds to it.

This remains one of my fave live recordings ever.





Mathijs

I've never understood the fuss over Trout Mask Replica, it's like rock critics needed to prove they heard things in albums mere mortals didn't so they championed the damn thing. Beefheart's okay, but I've never understood why people trip over themselves so much to praise him. Then again, I think the Doors are overrated too so what do I know.

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andrewt
I've never understood the fuss over Trout Mask Replica, it's like rock critics needed to prove they heard things in albums mere mortals didn't so they championed the damn thing. Beefheart's okay, but I've never understood why people trip over themselves so much to praise him. Then again, I think the Doors are overrated too so what do I know.

Andrewt,

You're correct: The Doors are overrated, though I like Morrison Hotel and LA Woman.

Never heard Trout Mask Replica fully but in the early '80's I listened to his Clear Spot album to death. No internet yet, so you probably knew there were more albums but to have one was just fine. This song is pure gold. Hadn't heard it in 30 years!




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"Music is the frozen tapioca in the ice chest of history."

"Shit!... No shit, awright!"

I find it completely unlistenable. And I mean that literally. I don't mean it's not my cup of tea or anything like that. I mean it feels like I'm getting ear raped. I've listened to it as a teenager, and as an adult. I've listened to it sober, and in various altered states. The only constant is that it sounds like shit to me.

O.k. We all listen to it again today. The first one to be able to listen it to it in its entirety wins a price.





Mathijs

...just get ya self some Howlin' Wolf albums and a bottle of booooooze ...



ROCKMAN

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Mathijs
This remains one of my fave live recordings ever.





Mathijs

I hope you aren't being sarcastic, cos it is indeed fantastic!

This is one of the most beautiful and haunting songs Capt Beefheart ever wrote - called Further Than We've Gone. It's got more people into the Captain than you can shake a stick at.

It's off an album that has generally been written off by many people as part of his 'sub standard Virgin records'. Don't believe a word of it. Wait till you hear the guitar solo and swoon.

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His Majesty

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Mathijs
This remains one of my fave live recordings ever.





Mathijs

I hope you aren't being sarcastic, cos it is indeed fantastic!

Not sarcastic at all, I find it utterly fantastic!

Mathijs

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tomcasagranda

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andrewt
I've never understood the fuss over Trout Mask Replica, it's like rock critics needed to prove they heard things in albums mere mortals didn't so they championed the damn thing. Beefheart's okay, but I've never understood why people trip over themselves so much to praise him. Then again, I think the Doors are overrated too so what do I know.

Andrewt,

You're correct: The Doors are overrated, though I like Morrison Hotel and LA Woman.

Yes there are some quality tracks on those albums.
I like a bunch of their songs, but never understood the hero worship.

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Mathijs
The first one to be able to listen it to it in its entirety wins a price.





Mathijs

I got to 21 seconds

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schillid

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Mathijs
The first one to be able to listen it to it in its entirety wins a price.





Mathijs

I got to 21 seconds

I'm having a headache...

Trout Mask Replica/produced by Frank Zappa ; a fascinating album inspired by blues and free-jazz with elements of garage rock and experimental art.
Its a favorite Beefheart album of mine.