Exploring Zappa: You Are What You Is

In these segments I plan on reviewing Zappa albums for you to enjoy. I’ve always wanted to be a Zappa fan since they are usually smarmy, educated and snappy dressers. I love his debut album and “We’re Only In It For The Money”, but where to go from there?

Greatest Hits CDs are for grandmothers, so I would suggest “You Are What You Is” as a good jumping off point. Apparently there’s a pattern in Zappa albums where he starts off with parody songs, and the ones on this album are priceless. “Free is when you don’t have to pay for nothing or do nothing,” explains the opening track which then segues into the country song “Harder Than Your Husband.” Makes me giggle. But there’s more!

The album isn’t just a gigglefest– the guitars are amazing, the riffs are funky, the songs are meaningful, the sound is great. It’s not as experimental as the 60’s Zappa albums, but that’s probably a good thing as it makes better casual listening.

“There’s a big difference between kneeling down and bending over,” Zappa preaches on “Heavenly Bank Account”, a continuing theme in this reactionary anti-Evangelical album. My favorite song is “The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing”, which I think the radical atheistic element of our staff will enjoy. Check it:

Sounds even better on the album when it’s followed by the amazing “Dumb All Over.” Grab a copy here.