Sheik Yerbouti Review

In my opinion, this is Frank's best album.

Why? Because it rocks, consistently, continuously, and hard! This album is a twsited frenzy of unrelenting, never ending power. From song to song the album flows without a single moment of filler. From the start, a drum beat kicks of "I Have Been in You" on a hilarious and Motherly note. This is Frank Zappa at his most cynical, angry, and punk. Not since the Mothers has he been this much of a rock star. With his new, younger band, Frank is free to express himself in most his most truthful way - as a theatrical weirdo. I Have Been in You" explodes into "Flakes", a longer piece that is saved by soon to be member of Crimson, Adriand Belew. Belew performs a ridiculously funny rendition of Zappa's attempt at singing while playing the guitar, essentially comparing him to Dylan in some perverse way. "Broken Hearts are For Assholes" is yet another great number! Almost every song on Sheik is among Frank's best - catchy, rockous, and funny - the mark the first moment since Freak Out! where all the way through the album there is a feeling of accessibility and fun.

"Broken Hearts Are For Assholes" is a great rock number with gritty guitar lines and deliciously disgusting lyrics from Zappa himself. Next "I'm So Cute" comes roaring in, both rejoicing in and ridiculing punk. Terry Bozzio takes center stage and sings as powerfully as he can. On the vinyl, this track continues into a demented fury of sonic noise and wild screaming and drumming. Very punk and very very good. Jones Crusher is a good number but Rat Tomago is stypendous, probably hallmarking Frank's best recorded solo (perhaps apart from his playing on Lather or in Baby Snakes). Bobby Brown is a naughty little piece that is instantly catchy in its humour and simplicity. City of Tiny Lights is a stunning song with Belew on vocals in possibly one of his best performances of his career. Dancing Fool and Jewish princess are also great and funny, but Wild Love takes the gold medal for musicality. With it's catchy chorus and strange Elvis singing about getting "a penis or two", the song hits both marks of pleasant listening and clever thinking. Yo' Mama is a clever, snarky end to the album featuring a both dissonant and beaitiful solo from Frank.

To sum it up, Sheik is non stop rock ride. It's highly accessible yet highly clever. It's also true to Frank's personality - angry, punkish songs fraught with equally angry and disgusting lyrics. There is a tremdous flow from the first track to the last. It twists and turns and often punches you in the face when you least expect. Only Freak Out! can match its sense of urgency and rock ethos.