Search - Dweezil Zappa :: Automatic

Mottamatic

Kim Fletcher | Pattaya, Chonburi Thailand | 01/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unlike his prolific father, it has been nearly 10 years since Frank Zappa's guitarist son Dweezil has released an album. Has it been worth the wait? My word yes, as a more satisfying guitar album you will not find (let me tell you this is a Satriani & Vai fan talking to you here).
A more varied album is hard to imagine too, whilst keeping it all easily recognisably Zapperish. My only quibble being the length of "Automatic" only 39 minutes is not long for a modern day C.D., but I think in this case we have to forego feeling the width whilst taking into consideration the incredible quality.
Dweezil is 31 now and plays louder, fatter guitar than Frank, and on the first two instrumentals, he twists the well trodden path of heavy metal guitar into truly unique & interesting new shapes, sometimes the music sounds very tightly composed like the sprightly title track, with masses of overdubbed guitars making it sound like the night of a hundred guitars in three minutes, and sometimes closer to inspired studio jamming like on the rockin "Fwakstension". Throughout the twelve cuts only drums, bass & guitar are used, but Dweezil manages to get some extraordinary sounds out of his chosen instrument.
Final track "Purple Guitar" is a guitar rock workout that sounds as if it's been laid down in one take, clocking in at 9 minutes 30 seconds it leaves you is no doubt that if Joe Satriani & Steve Vai had had their way and taken Dweezil with them on the G.3. tour instead of Eric Johnson, he would of wiped the floor with all the competition. Not forgetting that a young Steve Vai used to play in Frank Zappa's band, playing the parts Frank couldn't play, & Steve was also Dweezil's first guitar tutor.
"Sorcerers apprentice turned Master Wizard".
"12 String Thing" is exactly what the title suggests a thorough workout on 12 string acoustic. "Habanera and Les Toreadors" is an electric guitar thrash through of an except from the opera "Carmen" by Georges Bizet, and will no doubt have the purists screaming sacrilege, but is as rousing to listen to as it is clever to play.
Proving that the Zappa sense of humour runs from father to son there is also a blast through "You're A Mean One Mister Grinch" with brother Ahmet on the most wonderfully over the top vocals (the only non - instrumental) plus a superb surf - guitar version of the "Hawii Five - O" theme, that just makes you want to get up out of your seat and do a silly dance. Book'em Dweezil.
The music on this album makes a marvelous tapestry to the 2000's and I just hope that Dweezil won't wait for another decade to release another album (a little longer next time please). It wouldn't be a bad idea to give up the T.V. presenting & acting to accept the invitation for the next G.3 tour either.
Whatever, I'm sure "Automatic" would of got a fatherly nod of approval from Frank.
Mott the Dog."

Finally, a new CD from Dweezil

Steve Marshall | St. Louis, MO USA | 01/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's been 10 years since the last Dweezil CD, Confessions. This time out, Zappa covers a wide variety of musical genres, ranging from metal to surf to acoustic to classical--even a Christmas tune. The entire album is instrumental, save for "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" (with Dweezil's brother Ahmet on lead vocals) and the short attempt at humor, "Dick Cinnamon's Office." The CD starts with an impressive reworking of "F.W.A.K." from Confessions called "Fwakstension." "Automatic" rocks hard and features Blues Saraceno on guitar. It would've been nice to hear more interplay between the two guitarists, but it's still a good cut. The first surprise on the CD is the Dweezil's great cover of the surf classic, "Hawaii Five-O." It starts off true to the original, then Zappa spices it up towards the end. "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" is unlike any version you've ever heard--rocking out, with a blazing solo at the end.Two of the tracks on Automatic--"Therapy" and "Shnook" would've been right at home on an album by Frank (that's Dweezil's dad, for the truly clueless out there). "Secret Hedges" is a cool tribute to one of Dweezil's guitar heroes, Michael Hedges. For the classical fans out there, the CD contains a medley of "Habanera" and "Les Toreadors" from Bizet's Carmen. "Dick Cinnamon's Office" features Lisa Loeb as the 'highly efficient secretary' taking Dweezil's calls. "Hold please..." Wrapping up the CD is a nine-minute rock/metal excursion with a really cool groove called "Purple Guitar." The material on Automatic clearly shows imagination and has a real sense of spontaneity about it. The only bad thing is that's it's too short. Hopefully we won't be another ten years for the next album."

Excellent but Too Short

Jamie Street | Milwaukee | 01/28/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first Dweezil Zappa album in my collection and I must say I am glad I added it. Unfortunately, I feel like I only added half an album. This album has some great new songs with "12 String Thing" and "Purple Guitar" being the best tunes. Unfortunately, there were not enough new songs and way too many songs added simply to satisfy Dweezil's own fancies - see "Hawaii Five-O," "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch," and two opera songs I'm still trying to forget. "Automatic" and "Secret Hedges" are very respectable tunes as well. But again, 4 or 5 good songs do not make a great album - hence 3 of 5 stars."