Album Information:

About The Mothers Of Invention:

The Mothers of Invention was an American rock band formed in 1964 by musician Frank Zappa. The band consisted of a rotating line-up of musicians, but Zappa was the constant member and the driving force behind the band's music.

The band's music was a fusion of rock, jazz, classical, and avant-garde elements. They were known for their socially and politically charged lyrics, unconventional song structures, and Zappa's virtuosic guitar playing.

The Mothers of Invention released their debut album, Freak Out!, in 1966. The album was a critical and commercial success, and is now considered a classic of 1960s rock. The album's heavily orchestrated sound, combined with Zappa's satirical lyrics, was a departure from the prevailing trends in rock music at the time.

Over the next few years, The Mothers of Invention released a string of innovative and influential albums, including Absolutely Free (1967), We're Only in It for the Money (1968), and Uncle Meat (1969). The band's music continued to evolve, incorporating elements of doo-wop, psychedelic rock, and experimental music.

In 1970, Zappa disbanded The Mothers of Invention and began a successful solo career. He continued to release music until his death in 1993, and is regarded as one of the most innovative and influential musicians of the 20th century.

The legacy of The Mothers of Invention and Frank Zappa continues to be felt in modern music. Their experimental approach to rock music paved the way for countless other bands and artists, and their influence can be heard in everything from progressive rock to hip-hop.

About the album Freak Out!:

Freak Out! is the debut album by rock band The Mothers of Invention, released in 1966 on Verve Records. The album is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential in the history of rock music.

The album is known for its mix of genres, including rock, jazz, R&B, and avant-garde experimental music. The music is characterized by complex arrangements and unusual instrumentation, including horns, keyboards, and percussion.

The album is divided into two parts, with the first side featuring a collection of relatively straightforward rock songs, and the second side featuring more experimental and avant-garde compositions.

Some of the standout tracks on the album include 'Hungry Freaks, Daddy,' a scathing critique of conformity and consumerism; 'Who Are the Brain Police?,' a psychedelic romp through a dystopian future; and 'Help, I'm a Rock,' a surreal sonic journey that features spoken word passages, distorted vocals, and dissonant instrumentation.

The album's production values are also noteworthy, with innovative use of studio techniques including tape manipulation, sound effects, and layering of instruments and voices.

Overall, Freak Out! is a groundbreaking album that helped establish The Mothers of Invention as one of the most innovative and influential bands in the history of rock music. It remains a landmark album in the development of psychedelic rock, experimental music, and the counterculture movement of the 1960s.

Members:

The Mothers of Invention band was formed in 1964 by Frank Zappa, and although the band lineup underwent many changes over the years, here are some of the key members along with brief biographies:

1. Frank Zappa: Frank Zappa was the founder and leader of The Mothers of Invention. He was a singer, guitarist, composer, and producer. He was born in 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in California. Zappa was known for his unconventional approach to music and his ability to combine different genres, such as rock, jazz, and classical music. Zappa passed away in 1993 but is still regarded as a pioneer and one of the most influential musicians of his time.

2. Ray Collins: Ray Collins was the original lead singer of The Mothers of Invention. He was born in California in 1936 and had an extensive background in R&B music. Collins was known for his soulful voice and his ability to add humor to the band's performances. He left the band in 1968 to pursue a solo career but continued to collaborate with Zappa until his death in 2012.

3. Jimmy Carl Black: Jimmy Carl Black was the drummer for The Mothers of Invention. He was born in 1938 in Texas and had a background in country music. Black was known for his distinctive voice and his humor, which he often brought to the band's performances. He left the band in 1970 but later rejoined for various reunions. Black passed away in 2008.

4. Roy Estrada: Roy Estrada was the bassist for The Mothers of Invention. He was born in California in 1943 and had a background in R&B music. Estrada was known for his versatility and ability to play different styles of music. He left the band in 1969 to join Captain Beefheart's Magic Band but later rejoined for various reunions. Estrada was convicted of child molestation in 2012 and is currently serving a prison sentence.

5. Don Preston: Don Preston was the keyboardist for The Mothers of Invention. He was born in Michigan in 1932 and had a background in jazz music. Preston was known for his improvisational skills and his ability to play multiple instruments. He left the band in 1974 to pursue a solo career but continued to collaborate with Zappa until his death in 1993.

6. Bunk Gardner: Bunk Gardner was a saxophonist and woodwind player for The Mothers of Invention. He was born in 1933 in California and had a background in jazz music. Gardner was known for his virtuosity and ability to play different types of saxophones and other wind instruments. He left the band in 1969 but later rejoined for various reunions. Gardner is still active in the music industry and has released several solo albums.

7. Ian Underwood: Ian Underwood was a keyboardist and woodwind player for The Mothers of Invention. He was born in New York in 1939 and had a background in classical music. Underwood was known for his technical skills and his ability to play multiple instruments. He left the band in 1973 to pursue a career in film and television scoring but continued to collaborate with Zappa until his death in 1993. Underwood is still active in the music industry and has released several solo albums.

Track List for Freak Out!:

Sure, here are the tracks in order along with their play time and a brief description:

1. 'Hungry Freaks, Daddy' - 3:32

This opening track is a fast-paced rocker with satirical lyrics that criticize counterculture and social norms.

2. 'I Ain't Got No Heart' - 2:33

A blues-infused song that features a harmonica and biting lyrics that poke fun at romance and relationships.

3. 'Who Are the Brain Police?' - 3:25

One of the standout tracks on the album, 'Who Are the Brain Police?' is a psychedelic journey that explores mind control and government manipulation.

4. 'Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder' - 3:39

A more melancholy song that deals with heartbreak and rejection through the lens of a love affair gone wrong.

5. 'Motherly Love' - 2:43

This track boasts intricate vocal harmonies and playful instrumentation. It's an ode to unconditional love and motherhood.

6. 'How Could I Be Such A Fool' - 2:12

A classic doo-wop style ballad that addresses the singer's own shortcomings and mistakes.

7. 'Wowie Zowie' - 2:51

A short but sweet instrumental track that features complex rhythms and jazzy chord progressions.

8. 'You Didn't Try to Call Me' - 3:17

A song that captures the singer's frustration with a lover who has gone missing without explanation. It's a fast-paced rocker with a catchy hook.

9. 'Any Way the Wind Blows' - 2:54

Lyrically, this song is a bit of a puzzle, with references to disparate topics such as the weather, animals, and human relationships. However, it's an upbeat and catchy tune nonetheless.

10. 'I'm Not Satisfied' - 2:37

A song that deals with the singer's dissatisfaction with life and the world around him. It's a mid-tempo rocker with a defiant edge.

11. 'You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here' - 3:38

Perhaps the most famous track on the album, 'You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here' is an irreverent critique of conformity and the teddy boy subculture.

12. 'Trouble Every Day' - 5:49

The album's final track is a sprawling epic that addresses the race riots that were happening in Los Angeles during the mid-1960s. Through vivid storytelling and powerful guitar solos, this song highlights the civil unrest and social turmoil of the era.

Discography for The Mothers Of Invention:

Here is a complete discography for The Mothers of Invention in chronological order with their respective release dates:

Albums:
1. Freak Out! (1966)
2. Absolutely Free (1967)
3. We're Only in It for the Money (1968)
4. Cruising with Ruben & the Jets (1968)
5. Uncle Meat (1969)
6. Hot Rats (1969)
7. Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1970)
8. Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1970)
9. Chunga's Revenge (1970)
10. Fillmore East - June 1971 (1971)
11. 200 Motels (1971)
12. Just Another Band from L.A. (1972)
13. Waka/Jawaka (1972)
14. The Grand Wazoo (1972)
15. Over-Nite Sensation (1973)
16. Apostrophe (') (1974)
17. Roxy & Elsewhere (1974)
18. One Size Fits All (1975)
19. Bongo Fury (1975)
20. Zappa in New York (1978)
21. Studio Tan (1978)
22. Sleep Dirt (1979)
23. Orchestral Favorites (1979)
24. Sheik Yerbouti (1979)
25. Joe's Garage Acts I, II & III (1979)
26. You Are What You Is (1981)
27. Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch (1982)
28. The Man From Utopia (1983)
29. Baby Snakes (1983)
30. London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. I (1983)
31. Boulez Conducts Zappa: The Perfect Stranger (1984)
32. Them or Us (1984)
33. Thing-Fish (1984)
34. Francesco Zappa (1984)
35. London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. II (1987)
36. Guitar (1988)
37. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 1 (1988)
38. Broadway the Hard Way (1988)
39. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 2 (1988)
40. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 3 (1989)
41. The Yellow Shark (1993)

Singles:
1. 'How Could I Be Such a Fool?' / 'Help, I'm a Rock' (1966)
2. 'Big Leg Emma' / 'Why Don'tcha Do Me Right?' (1967)
3. 'Son of Suzy Creamcheese' / 'Who Are the Brain Police?' (1968)
4. 'Lonely Little Girl' / 'Mother People' (1968)
5. 'My Guitar' / 'Dog Breath' (1969)
6. 'Peaches En Regalia' / 'Little Umbrellas' (1970)
7. 'Tears Began to Fall' / 'She Painted Up Her Face' (1970)

Other releases:
- Ahead of Their Time (1993)
- The MOFO Project/Object (2006)
- The MOFO Project/Object (Audio Documentary) (2006)
- Greasy Love Songs (2010)
- Carnegie Hall (2011)