Beat
Norway
Automatic translation: The memories come
flooding back while playing this score from Frank Zappa. Most
of the ingredients from Zappa's universe are strongly present.
The absurd humor associated with body sounds, objects and twisted
statements goes hand in hand with intricate music. Civilization
Phase III is an opera pantomime in which The Piano people
(probably related to The Po-jama people from 1975) play a central
role. Both Ronald Reagan and Jesus get theirs! In part, the
record reminds me of 200 Motels, but it is first and
foremost a documentation of where Frank Zappa was towards the
end. He uses musicians from Ensemble Modern, as on The Yellow
Shark and the advanced toy synclavier. Throughout Zappa's
career, it was the incredible bands that gave the music color
and personality. Seen in that light, does Civilization Phase
III have a somewhat sterile look, or is it just a first
impression? This record needs to be experienced to be done justice.
Zappa is a part of life.
Source: nb.no
