FRANK ZAPPA

Tinseltown Rebellion

Barking Pumpkin PW2 37336

After three disks of the abominable Joe’s Garage, the world is without a doubt ready for this. Mind you it's still not primo Zappa. There's no "Call Any Vegetable", no "It Can't Happen Here", not even a "DinahMoe Hummm". But if Zappa has taught us anything, it is to expect nothing. That way, when he achieves mediocrity, as he has here, we can breathe a sigh of relief.

There are two things to be thankful for on Tinseltown Rebellion. The first and foremost is keyboardist Tommy Mars. It seems that Zappa is very tired of his guitar, so instead of guitar solos, we get keyboard solos. This would be a drawback if it weren't for the amazing prowess and dexterity of Mr. Mars, who seems to be in three or four different places at once. The "classical" section of "Easy Meat" has some of the finest moments of the album, thanks to his exceptional performance.

Second, Zappa has decided to stick with the Joe’s Garage band (Ike Willis, Ray White, Warren Cucurullo, Mars, Arthur Barrow, Vinnie Colaiuta, Ed Mann, Peter Wolf, and Denney Walley), only this time they have some decent material to work with. They're beginning to congeal, and the result is the finest band Zappa's unleashed since Overnite Sensation.

Unfortunately, material remains a big problem to Mr. Z. There are five rehashings of old material, which would be fine if the originals hadn't been so good. "Brown Shoes Don't Make It'' is particularly embarrassing, and highlights some of the weaknesses Zappa has had to contend with since losing his original Mothers of Invention (who can be heard on a marvelous little disk called The Grandmothers (Rhino)). "Peaches Ill" and "Tell Me You Love Me" are stilted and flat, and "Love of my Life" is totally devoid of the quirky '50s gimmicks that made it work so well on Reuben and the Jets.

Of the new material, only "Fine Girl" (the purported single) and "Easy Meat'' provide any memorable moments. Two cuts, "Panty Rap" and "Dance Contest" are nothing more than spoken filler that come off as depraved ego-fodder. They are particularly sick, even for Zappa.

This is Zappa's 31st album and eighth double record set. Although nowhere near as disappointing as Joe’s Garage or Zoot Allures, it's not even as exciting as the marginal One Size Fits All or the overworked Apostrophe’. Unless you have the cash to waste or are a Zappa fanatic, save your dough for the mail order Shut Up 'N' Play Your Guitar trilogy, featuring over three hours of Zappa guitar. And there ain't nothing wrong with Zappa's guitar. (To order, send $27.98 plus $1.50 P&H to Barking Pumpkin Records, P.O. Box 5510, Terre Haute, IN 47805).

- J. E. Sumrell