Album Information:

About The Mothers Of Invention:

The Mothers of Invention was an American rock band led by composer, guitarist, singer, and producer Frank Zappa. The band was formed in 1964 and was active until 1975.

Zappa was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1940, and showed an early interest in music and experimental sounds. He started playing guitar in high school and quickly became interested in jazz and avant-garde music. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1950s and began working as a session musician and recording engineer.

In 1964, Zappa formed The Mothers of Invention as a way to perform his own compositions. The band consisted of Zappa on guitar and vocals, Ray Collins on vocals, Roy Estrada on bass, Jimmy Carl Black on drums, and Elliot Ingber on guitar. They released their debut album, Freak Out!, in 1966, which was a critical and commercial success.

The Mothers of Invention continued to release highly experimental and satirical albums, often incorporating elements of jazz, doo-wop, and classical music. Some of their most notable albums include Absolutely Free (1967), We're Only in It for the Money (1968), Uncle Meat (1969), and Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1970).

The band's lineup changed frequently throughout their career, with Zappa remaining as the only constant member. In addition to performing and recording with The Mothers of Invention, Zappa also worked on a variety of other musical and artistic projects. He was known for his outspoken and often controversial opinions on politics, censorship, and the music industry.

After disbanding The Mothers of Invention in 1975, Zappa continued to release solo albums and collaborate with other musicians. He also worked on a number of film and TV projects, including the 1979 film Baby Snakes and the 1980s TV series Frank Zappa's Universe.

Despite his many artistic achievements, Zappa's career was cut short when he died of prostate cancer in December 1993. Over the years, The Mothers of Invention have been praised for their innovative and groundbreaking music, which has influenced countless artists in a variety of genres.

About the album We're Only In It For The Money:

'We're Only In It For The Money' is the third album by the American avant-garde rock band, The Mothers Of Invention, released in 1968. The album was produced by Frank Zappa and is known for being a satirical take on the counterculture and the hippie movement of the 1960s.

The album features a diverse range of musical styles, including rock, jazz, and classical music, and is noted for its use of avant-garde techniques such as musique concrete and tape manipulation.

The opening track, 'Are You Hung Up?' sets the tone for the album with its disjointed opening and sarcastic lyrics. The following track, 'Who Needs The Peace Corps?' takes aim at the perceived hypocrisy of the hippie movement, while 'Mom & Dad' mocks conservative values and suburban life.

Other standout tracks include 'What's The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?' which critiques society's obsession with physical appearance, and 'Harry, You're A Beast' which likens the Vietnam War to a circus.

One of the most notable aspects of the album is its use of audio collages, including sound effects, snippets of dialogue, and musical excerpts. These fragments are used to create a sense of chaos and to underline the satirical nature of the album's themes.

Overall, 'We're Only In It For The Money' is a groundbreaking and influential album that remains relevant to this day. Its use of satire and avant-garde techniques helped to pave the way for future experimental rock artists, and its commentary on society and politics continues to resonate with listeners.

Members:

The Mothers of Invention were an American rock band formed in the mid-1960s led by musician and composer Frank Zappa. While many musicians and collaborators worked with the band in various iterations over their career, the key members of The Mothers of Invention can be identified as the following:

1. Frank Zappa - Born in 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland, Zappa was the leader and founder of The Mothers of Invention. He was a guitarist, singer, composer, and songwriter known for his eclectic and experimental style of music. Zappa released over 60 albums during his career, both with The Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist. Zappa died of prostate cancer in 1993.

2. Jimmy Carl Black - Born in 1938 in El Paso, Texas, Black was the drummer and 'Indian of the Group' for The Mothers of Invention. He was known for his distinct, gravelly voice and his contributions to songs such as 'Who Are the Brain Police?' Black remained with the band until 1970 and went on to form his own band, Geronimo Black. He died in 2008.

3. Roy Estrada - Born in 1943 in California, Estrada was the bassist and occasional singer for The Mothers of Invention. He was also a founding member of another band, Little Feat. Estrada left The Mothers of Invention in 1969 and went on to perform with a variety of other musicians and groups. He was convicted of child sexual abuse in 2018.

4. Don Preston - Born in 1932 in Michigan, Preston was a keyboardist and electronic musician who joined The Mothers of Invention in 1966. He contributed to many of the band's albums before leaving in 1974 to pursue a solo career.

5. Bunk Gardner - Born in 1933 in California, Gardner was a saxophonist and woodwind player who joined The Mothers of Invention in 1966. He contributed to many of the band's recordings and remained with them until their disbandment in 1969. Gardner went on to work as a session musician and later formed his own band, Bunk Gardner and the Saltlicks.

6. Ian Underwood - Born in 1939 in New York, Underwood was a keyboardist, saxophonist, and conductor who joined The Mothers of Invention in 1967. He was known for his contributions to the band's live performances, which often involved complex arrangements and improvisation. Underwood left the band in 1973 to pursue other musical projects.

7. Art Tripp - Born in 1944 in California, Tripp was a percussionist and drummer who joined The Mothers of Invention in 1967. He was known for his contributions to the band's experimental sound and complex arrangements. Tripp left the band in 1969 to pursue other musical projects.

While there were many other musicians who worked with The Mothers of Invention over the years, these key members were integral to the band's sound and legacy.

Track List for We're Only In It For The Money:

1. 'Are You Hung Up?' (1:23) - An experimental piece featuring various sounds and voices, including a spoken word introduction from Frank Zappa.

2. 'Who Needs the Peace Corps?' (2:34) - A satirical look at counterculture and youth rebellion, with lyrics about hippies and protests set to a catchy pop melody.

3. 'Concentration Moon' (2:22) - A psychedelic rock song describing a dystopian world ruled by a totalitarian government.

4. 'Mom & Dad' (2:16) - A humorous critique of traditional family values and parental authority.

5. 'Telephone Conversation' (0:49) - A brief skit depicting a comical conversation between two people on the phone.

6. 'Bow Tie Daddy' (0:33) - A short, guitar-heavy instrumental interlude.

7. 'Harry, You're a Beast' (1:22) - A hard-hitting rock song attacking the hypocrisy and moral decay of contemporary society.

8. 'What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?' (1:03) - A sarcastic examination of superficiality and conformism.

9. 'Absolutely Free' (3:26) - A frantic, jazz-influenced piece featuring complex rhythms and biting social commentary.

10. 'Flower Punk' (3:02) - A fast-paced, energetic track with distorted guitar riffs and playful lyrics.

11. 'Hot Poop' (0:26) - Another instrumental portion, this time featuring a brief guitar solo.

12. 'Nasal Retentive Calliope Music' (2:03) - A twisted march-like melody with surreal sound effects.

13. 'Let's Make the Water Turn Black' (2:01) - A story-song about a young man who falls in love with a girl addicted to amphetamines.

14. 'The Idiot Bastard Son' (3:18) - A complex, multi-layered song with orchestral accompaniment and satirical lyrics about conformity and subservience.

15. 'Lonely Little Girl' (1:10) - A simple, melancholic ballad sung from the perspective of a lonely girl.

16. 'Take Your Clothes off When You Dance' (1:35) - A comedic piece featuring suggestive lyrics about dancing and clothing.

17. 'What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body? (Reprise)' (0:57) - An extended version of track 8.

18. 'Mother People' (2:32) - A strange, dissonant collage of musical and spoken-word fragments.

19. 'The Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny' (6:25) - A wild, experimental piece incorporating distorted guitar, spoken-word performance, and sound effects.

Discography for The Mothers Of Invention:

Here is a complete discography for The Mothers of Invention, in chronological order:

Albums:
1. Freak Out! (1966)
2. Absolutely Free (1967)
3. Lumpy Gravy (1968)
4. We're Only in It for the Money (1968)
5. Cruising with Ruben & the Jets (1968)
6. Uncle Meat (1969)
7. Hot Rats (1969)
8. Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1970)
9. Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1970)
10. Chunga's Revenge (1970)
11. Fillmore East – June 1971 (1971)
12. 200 Motels (1971)
13. Just Another Band from L.A. (1972)
14. Waka/Jawaka (1972)
15. The Grand Wazoo (1972)
16. Over-Nite Sensation (1973)
17. Apostrophe (') (1974)
18. Roxy & Elsewhere (1974)
19. One Size Fits All (1975)
20. Bongo Fury (1975, with Frank Zappa)
21. Zoot Allures (1976)
22. Zappa in New York (1978)
23. Studio Tan (1978)
24. Sleep Dirt (1979)
25. Sheik Yerbouti (1979)
26. Orchestral Favorites (1979)
27. Joe's Garage Acts I, II & III (1979)
28. Tinseltown Rebellion (1981)
29. Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar (1981)
30. You Are What You Is (1981)
31. Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch (1982)
32. The Man from Utopia (1983)
33. Baby Snakes (1983)
34. London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. 1 (1983, with the London Symphony Orchestra)
35. Them or Us (1984)
36. Thing-Fish (1984)
37. Francesco Zappa (1984)
38. Boulez Conducts Zappa: The Perfect Stranger (1984)
39. The Old Masters, Box One (1985)
40. Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention (1985)
41. Does Humor Belong in Music? (1986)
42. Jazz from Hell (1986)
43. London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. 2 (1987, with the London Symphony Orchestra)
44. Guitar (1988)
45. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 1 (1988)
46. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 2 (1988)
47. Broadway the Hard Way (1988)
48. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 3 (1989)
49. The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life (1991)
50. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 4 (1991)
51. Make a Jazz Noise Here (1991)
52. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 5 (1992)
53. You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 6 (1992)
54. Playground Psychotics (1992)
55. Ahead of Their Time (1993)
56. The Yellow Shark (1993)

Singles:
1. 'How Could I Be Such a Fool?' / 'Help! I'm a Rock' (1966)
2. 'Who Are the Brain Police?' / 'Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder' (1966)
3. 'Big Leg Emma' / 'Why Don'tcha Do Me Right?' (1967)
4. 'Son of Suzy Creamcheese' / 'Brown Shoes Don't Make It' (1967)
5. 'Lonely Little Girl' / 'Mother People' (1967)
6. 'Deseri' / 'Little Umbrellas' (1967)
7. 'Didja Get Any Onya?' / 'Directly from My Heart to You' (1969)
8. 'My Guitar' / 'Dog Breath' (1969)
9. 'WPLJ' / 'The Duke of Prunes' (1970)
10. 'Tell Me You Love Me' / 'Would You Go All the Way?' (1970)

Other releases:
1. Freak Out! Sessions (1996)
2. The MOFO Project/Object (2006)
3. Greasy Love Songs (2010)
4. Carnegie Hall (2011)