absolutely free (1967) – the mothers of invention: verve records, v6-5103

A mere 10 months after having the audacity to release a double LP as a debut album, Frank Zappa put out his follow-up, Absolutley Free.

That’s kind of impressive if you think about it. Six sides of music released in just a bit more time than it takes for two kids to suffer the red, wet, naked, and screaming consequences of a bit of unprotected slap-and-tickle in the back seat of a car (come to think of it, naked, red, wet, and screaming could be an apt general description of a lot of Zappa’s music, too).

The word “prolific” seems quite appropriate.

In any case, Absolutely Free brought more of the singularly distinct sound and socially critical lyrics for which Frank Zappa would become famous.

Side 1: Plastic People Duke of Prunes Amnesia Vivace The Duke Regains His Chops Call Any Vegetable Invocation & Ritual Dance of the Young Pumpkin Soft-Sell Conclusion
Side 2: America Drinks Status Backs Baby Uncle Bernie’s Farm Son of Susie Creamcheese Brown Shoes Don’t Make It America Drinks & Goes Home

Taking a listen to Absolutely Free makes it quite clear that this album bears more than a passing resemblance to Freak Out!. So much so that one would be forgiven for simply considering this the third disc of Freak Out! rather than a stand-alone album.

All of the elements of Freak Out! are present here, from the distinct tempo changes, occasionally jarring instrumentation, sardonic social commentary, wry political observations, discordant background singing, and conserved musical theme.

But here’s the really cool thing: this album doesn’t suffer from the perception that these are left-over
songs not good enough to have been included in the previous album and only now released as a cynical attempt to cash in on some initial success. Quite the contrary, the songs on this album, from the bizarre and ridiculous Call Any Vegetable, to the cutting America Drinks & Goes Home all have the same high level of creativity and craftsmanship of any song on Freak Out!, and the delightfully perverse and caustic Brown Shoes Don't Make It is just a spear through the liver of the squares in Pleasant Valley.

Now, it’s been a while since I’ve listened to Absolutely Free. For some reason this album tends to get lost among the more frequently listened Zappa offerings, like Hot Rats or Roxy & Elsewhere, but hearing it now reminded me that this definitely does kick some ass. But, like pretty much every other Zappa album, this isn’t something one just puts on the platter for background sounds. It’s an album that demands attention, and if one isn’t really craving the Zappa groove, it will fall flat. But if that monkey on your back needs some seriously intense jamming, then settling on this and letting Invocation & Ritual Dance of the Young Pumpkin is exactly what the doctor prescribed.

Up next: You got your new wave in my ska!