Mott_the_Dog

Unlike his prolific father it has been nearly 10 years since Frank Zappa’s guitarist son Dweezil has released an album. Has it been worth the wait? My word yes, as a more satisfying guitar album you will not find (let me tell you, this is a Satriani and Vai fan talking to you here).

A more varied album is hard to imagine, too, whilst keeping it all easily recognisably Zapperish. My only quibble being the length of “Automatic”, only 39 minutes is not long for a modern day C.D., but I think in this case we have to forego feeling the width whilst taking into consideration the incredible quality.

Dweezil is 31 now and plays louder, fatter guitar than Frank. On the first two instrumentals he twists the well trodden path of heavy metal guitar into truly unique and interesting new shapes. Sometimes the music sounds very tightly composed like the sprightly title track, with masses of overdubbed guitars making it sound like the night of a hundred guitars in three minutes, and sometimes closer to inspired studio jamming like on the rockin “Fwakstension”. Throughout the twelve cuts only drums, bass and guitar are used. However, Dweezil manages to get some extraordinary sounds out of his chosen instrument.

Final track “Purple Guitar” is a guitar rock workout that sounds as if it’s been laid down in one take. Clocking in at 9 minutes 30 seconds it leaves you no doubt that if Joe Satriani and Steve Vai had had their way and taken Dweezil with them on the G.3. tour instead of Eric Johnson. He would of wiped the floor with all the competition. Not forgetting that a young Steve Vai used to play in Frank Zappa’s band playing the parts Frank couldn’t play, and Steve was also Dweezil’s first guitar tutor.

“Sorcerers apprentice turned Master Wizard”.

“12 String Thing” is exactly what the title suggests, a thorough workout on 12 string acoustic. “Habanera and Les Toreadors” is an electric guitar thrash though of an except from the opera “Carmen” by Georges Bizet, and will no doubt have the purists screaming sacrilege, but is as rousing to listen to as it is clever to play.

Proving that the Zappa sense of humour runs from father to son there is also a blast through “You’re A Mean One Mister Grinch” with brother Ahmet on the most wonderfully over the top vocals (the only non-instrumental) plus a superb surf-guitar version of the “Hawii Five-O” theme, that just makes you want to get up out of your seat and do a silly dance. Book’em Dweezil.

The music on this album makes a marvelous tapestry to the 2000’s and I just hope that Dweezil won’t wait for another decade to release another album (a little longer next time please). It wouldn’t be a bad idea to give up the T.V. presenting and acting to accept the invitation for the next G.3 tour either.

Whatever, I’m sure “Automatic” would of gotten a fatherly nod of approval from Frank.

Pawed by Mott The Dog
Remastered by Ella Crew

E-mail: review@mott-the-dog.com