Does Captain Beefheart suck?

[3-LockBox]

I gave a listen once to a taped copy of Trout Mask Replica (from vinyl); a former co-worker had it, wanted to sell it to me (the LP), and I asked if I could listen to it first (thus the tape). I had read glowing reviews of this album. I put it on, managed to listen all the through one side of the tape and I never listened to it again. I absolutely didn't get it. I don't think I'll ever get it. I was prepared to hear one of the great albums of all time, and all I could think after side one was, WTF?!?! I actually thought the guy was playing a joke on me, but a month or so later, I saw a CD copy in a used store that lets its patrons listen before buying, and well, he wasn't pulling my leg.

I ran across that old tape the other day and gave it another listen...all I can say is YIKES. I've been saving this post for some time, wondering what kind of response it'll get.

Does anyone here listen to this band? This album?

I think this is one of those albums that everyone owns because its really hip to say you own it (like Britches Brew), and even hipper to say you 'get', but no one really listens to it.

[Rae]

I listen to Bitches Brew all the time!

~Rae

[3-LockBox]

I listen to Bitches Brew all the time!

~Rae

Could you please show me how you pass the swear words?

I've actually listened to it like maybe three times ever.

[Rae]

I prefer to continue watching you come up with creative homonyms.

~Rae

[MindGoneHaywire]

I think it's a bunch of half-baked ideas that might've been re-worked into something resembling a decent rec instead of the confused mishmosh that it is. However, I love just about everything he did prior to this record, and a few things afterward, too. Why it's attained its status is beyond me, but then anyone who denies the cult of rock crit embracing total lemons at times is full of it. I happen to enjoy a lot of what hip rock critics like & have lauded, and I'll defend the stuff I like all day long, but to my ears this is the quintessential example of hipster snobs loving a total & utter piece of crap.

Mileage varies.

I haven't listened to it in ages, but I"ve revisited it enough times to make a definitive determination that I'm just never going to get it & couldn't care less. I did recently pick up a DVD on the career of the Captain that helps a bit in its examination of the rec, but overall I give it a big thumbs down.

Try Safe As Milk, Mirror Man, etc. The guy was an incredible talent, seriously. He had a very wide vocal range & was greatly influenced by Howlin' Wolf, who's long been my absolute favorite blues artist. The first rec has a few straightforward toons on it, but Mirror Man is blues on acid, and definitely a good listen.

[BradH]

I think this is one of those albums that everyone owns because its really hip to say you own it (like Britches Brew), and even hipper to say you 'get', but no one really listens to it.

I listen to it. It's my favorite Beefheart album.

I like Bitches Brew, too.

Just remember, there are only two things you need to know in life:

1) Kansas sucks and

2) anything Troy sez about Beefheart is WRONG!!!

I think it's a bunch of half-baked ideas...

Actually, they're fully baked, you just may not like what's on the menu. That band arranged Beefheart's ideas for months and had it down note for note before going into the studio. Obviously not intended to please anyone but Beefheart...but is it really so different from Ice Cream For Crow or Doc At The Radar Station?

"Come, Mr. Spero, let me process you through the Atavachron..."

[audiobill]

I listen to it. It's my favorite Beefheart album.

I like Bitches Brew, too.

Just remember, there are only two things you need to know in life:

Yes!!! Me too!!!

[Troy]

Actually, they're fully baked

Actually YOU better be fully baked when you listen to it.

[BradH]

Actually YOU better be fully baked when you listen to it.

HAHAHA!!

That was awesome!

[nobody]

Yes, Captain Beefheart sucks.

[3-LockBox]

Yes, Captain Beefheart sucks.

That was funny.

[arselbert]

I love Captain Beefhearts music, Safe as Milk, Trout Mask Replica and Lick my decals off baby are great ones. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZGrwDCEJNk great song

[MasterCylinder]

..................................think this is one of those albums that everyone owns because its really hip to say you own it (like Britches Brew), and even hipper to say you 'get', but no one really listens to it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't own either one so obviously I'm not cool.

[bobsticks]

..................................think this is one of those albums that everyone owns because its really hip to say you own it (like Britches Brew), and even hipper to say you 'get', but no one really listens to it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't own either one so obviously I'm not cool.

I too am not cool enough to own the album that it's cool to own just 'cause it's cool to own...

...but most of you knew that.

[Stone]

I own it but have never "got" it. Safe As Milk, on the other hand, is a good album, but it's much more of a straight ahead rock album.

[bobsticks]

I remember when this thread started and there was some discussion of the Captain and his hangers-on...there was some truly funny stuff...

[Stone]

[Finch Platte]

Yes, he sucks, and so does Tom Waits and Pavement.

There, I said it.

[Stone]

Yes, he sucks, and so does Tom Waits and Pavement.

There, I said it.

You're out of your mind, but I guess we already knew that.

[Troy]

Yep, still sucks.

[Swish]

Yes, he sucks, and so does Tom Waits and Pavement.

There, I said it.

You suck more.

[3LB]

Yep, the album in question, Trout Mask Replica, still sucks. Its the aural equivalent of The Emperor's New Clothes, like Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music - things that only the hippest of the hip can hear and "get". Between TMR and a few appearences on Zappa albums, I got no use for ol' Cpt Beefy.

[Finch Platte]

You suck more.

Lol. *shrug* Oh, well.