Zappa Top 10 lists

First is a list of 10 albums that best represent the distinct styles or phases of Frank Zappa’s career. These are not the 10 best albums overall, or my 10 favorite (that list is next), but 10 albums that best present a broad overview of the musical styles that Frank Zappa created throughout his varied career. Some phases/styles can be represented by many albums, but I tried to choose the one album that best shows that style. So here is the list in chronological order:

• We’re Only in It for the Money
  Phony hippies beware. Frank Zappa was on to you in 1968. And he throws in a little bit of Edgard Varese for good measure at the end.

• Hot Rats
  Instrumental jazz/rock fusion at its finest.

• Over-Nite Sensation
  Zappa’s somewhat commercial breakthrough of the early 70s.

• Zoot Alures
  Straight forward rock.

• Joe’s Garage
  1979 was a good year for concept albums (see The Wall in The Perfect 10s).

• Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch
  Zappa in the 80s.

• Shut Up ‘N Play Yer Guitar
  Nothing but guitar solos.

• Jazz From Hell
  Zappa discovers the synclavier.

• Broadway the Hard Way
  The 1988 tour.

• Strictly Genteel
  A compilation of orchestral and instrumental works.

Next is a list of my favorite Frank Zappa albums, in chronological order:

• Absolutely Free
  Songs about vegetables and the deviance of politicians are only the tip of the iceberg.

• We’re Only In It for the Money
  Phony hippies beware. Frank Zappa was on to you in 1968. And he throws in a little bit of Edgard Varese for good measure at the end.

• Uncle Meat
  Contains many classic Zappa musical themes explored throughout his other works through conceptual continuity. Ignore the 38 minutes of film excerpts and you have a great album.

• Hot Rats
  Instrumental jazz/rock fusion at its finest.

• One Size Fits All
  Complex rock that grows even better after hearing it many, many times.

• Bongo Fury
  Two words: Captain Beefheart.

• Studio Tan
  An album of leftovers, but one of them happens to be the single greatest “song” that Frank Zappa ever created, the 20 minute “Adventures of Greggery Peccary.”

• Sheik Yerbouti
  Great melodies, rockin guitars, scathing humor.

• Joe’s Garage
  It took me 3 years before I began to like this album beyond the first two songs. But once I got past the “story” of the album, I realized the music is truly great.

• Broadway the Hard Way
  The 1988 tour was Zappa last full-scale tour, and this album showed that Zappa was still at the top of his game.