You do the best album analysis that I have ever seen. Fantastic presentation and a great deal of thought.

Hot Rats is simply sublime. In my view, not only Zappa's best album but one of the best ever recorded. Now THAT's saying something!!!😆

And I love that he puts One size fits All at #1. That's hard to argue, definitely a underrated LP. He has the balls to put it out there. Well done!

My first Zappa record was Freak Out. I still have it today! I'm a lifelong fan.

Great List, I just wanna say Chunga's Revenge will always be my favorite FZ album.

"The Ocean Is The Ultimate Solution" from the "Sleep Dirt" album is my favourite Zappa track. Terry Bozzio, Patrick O Hearn and Zappa. Just 3 musicians on this one. Mind blowing bass and drums and my favourite blistering and soaring Zappa guitar solo.

Strongly agree with your choice of number 1. "One Size Fits All" stands out from the rest of the catalogue.

I bought Joe’s Garage when I was in college around 1990, it’s still may favorite to this day. Overnight Sensation and Apostrophe fill out my top 3 Zappa studio albums . I really dig his live albums as well, Live From New York being a particular favorite of mine. His book was also very entertaining. A very interesting and intelligent musician. He left us far too soon.

I'd have put 'The Grand Wazoo' in there and for me it's pretty close to a number 1, in particular the track 'Eat That Question' is simply an awesome piece of well written music. However having over 120 Zappa albums released pre and post the passing of the great composer it get's harder and harder for me to define rankings so full on respect to you sir for boiling down Zappa's amazing catalogue to this list and obviously a fellow Zappa fan to boot, so well done.

Sheik Yerbouti is such a great album.

Love the list!One size fits all is my favorite too!The guitar solo on Inca Roads is the absolute best!!

Everyone has their own favorites. My top ten would include Uncle Meat and Grand Wazoo near the top. My only quibble is with the distinction between "live" and "studio" albums, which does not really apply to FZ. FZ did not simply release live versions of fan favorites. Almost all the live albums released in his lifetime (until the YCDTOSA series) were made primarily of previously unreleased compositions, and often were interspersed with studio material and overdubbed in the studio (first half of "Roxy & Elsewhere") . Zappa often spliced live material into "studio" songs (guitar solo on the "studio" version of "Inca Roads") or used live tracks as the basis for "studio" songs (most of "Sheikh Yerbouti" & much of "Joe's Garage). Zappa pointedly did not limit himself to these kinds of categories. But I guess you have to do something to narrow down his huge catalog of albums. Good review as always.

This is probably the most sophisticated album reviews of Zappa I've yet seen. Insightful and spot on.

This is the best start to a day that I have had in some time. Thank you for your articulate critiques of the wise and wonderful albums of FZ. So very grateful for the sheer hilarity, scathing satire and musical brilliance of Zappa!

Thank you for your wonderful review and homage to one of most unique, iconiclastic, eccentric and enigmatic figures in pop music. I've been a fan of Frank's since 1970. I have collected 23 of his albums.

I’ve not been a Zappa fan until recent years. He’s a fascinating composer and musician, much too complex and rich with social commentary back in the day for me. Now with more time and patience, and releases from his vault, I am diving into his work. Thanks for your knowledge and take on his music.

My 10 favourite albums (I'm starting from the bottom getting to the top) by Zappa are: 10. Lumpy Gravy (1968) 9. One Size Fits All (1975) 8. The Grand Wazoo (1972) 7. Hot Rats (1968) 6. Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1970) 5. Burnt Weeny Sandwich (1970) 4. Freak Out! (1966) 3. Absolutely Free (1967) 2. We're Only in It for the Money (1968) 1. Uncle Meat (1969)

It's the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen (not Center).

I wrapped a news paper around my head so I looked like I was deep... Excellent list, it included my top 3 Z albums, Apostrophe, Overnite, & One Size! Pondering the significance of short-person behavior In pedal-depressed panchromatic resonance And other highly ambient domains...

'Joe's Garage' also contains one of Zappa's typical musical jokes /tours de force. Look out for it, all through the album.

I'd add, 'the complete Roxy' recordings would now be one of the finest Zappa albums as it's even better than the original offering having EVERYTHING from that great moment.

I really appreciate your insightful reviews! They've made me go back to the music I listened to back in the day, which is proving to be a very enjoyable experience.

My top 5 ZAPPA albums are: 1 hot rats 2 overnite sensations 3 sheik yerbouti 4 one size fits all 5 apostrophe(,) Honerable mention.... you are what you is well, that's just me what can I say? Anyway stay safe.

Thanks for this. It's a welcome reminder that, since flogging my vinyl a lifetime ago, I haven't repurchased nearly enough Zappa.

Reviewers pick (in reverse order): 10. You are what you is; 1981 9. Joe's garage; 1979 8. Absolutely Free; 1967 7. We're only in it for the money; 1968 6. Over-nite Sensation; 1973 5. Apostrophe; 1974 4. Freak Out! 1966 3. Sheikh Yerbouti; 1979 2. Hot Rats; 1969 1. One size fits all; 1975.

Your presentation is a wonderful job, what I'm missing is "just another band from LA" and the gorgeous "Fillmore East" both of which were my first exposure to Frank Zappa's music because they are so much rock music - as it is for me too Overnite Sensations. I'm from Europe, which probably influences my perspective.

I really enjoyed your review. Zappa was a musical genius, I've been buying up every album I come across. I've recently done several Zappa stories on my channel. Thanks for the excellent review!!!

Can't say I've ever listened to a Frank Zappa album. I will be now! So much music, so little time...

Gumbo Variations is easily one of the best instrumentals Zappa ever did. Really contributes heavily in making Hot Rats a great piece.

One Size Fits All is my favourite Zappa album too !

Thank you. One Size Fits All is my favorite Zappa album and one of my favorites of all time. And it often gets overlooked. When you got down to number 4 and hadn't mentioned it, I thought for sure it wasn't going to make your list. Imagine my surprise when It came in at number 1. I actually have the sofa tattooed on my wrist. And my favorite song, of course, is Andy. Great list, by the way.

It's so difficult to pick a top 20 let alone a top 10, I love all his albums. If I were to pick a favourite it would be everyone of them, including live albums as they were like studio albums, everyone of them different. For me he was the greatest artist of them all, his music would kick you in the teeth and come back and kick out your dentures.

Thanks for your review. Has some of my favorite albums included. Zappa was a musical genius and an equal opportunity offender

As always, very nicely done. We wore the grooves off those early Zappa/Mothers records at university. I'd have to say WOIIFTM. is my #1.

Hi guys. My first ever KZfaq comment and only my third like on a KZfaq video. The other two being two other reviews of Freak Out! Some great albums on here and some of my personal favourites as well. I've been listening to Zappa properly for the past thirty years now and am amazed at just how eclectic and prolific he is/was as an artist. The way he mixed music genres, covered many topics and used satire and humour throughout his career has never ceased to amaze me.

I would have moved Overnight Sensation higher on the list but I think I agree with your #1 pick. Inca Roads has one of my fav guitar leads of all time, and it was a live recording! Omg!

You're like an encyclopedia, mate. Great analysis. Of course I've never met anyone who doesn't like Zappa. Hot Rats has never left my number one spot. I've bought it in every form (media) through the years and still love to play the remastered. Absolute musical brilliance. Mozart of Rock! Love all your choices and can add a few of my own. Well, done. Cheers.

I think you got the rankings listed pretty well. I was so glad you chose "One Size Fits All" as number one. It's my favorite.

Glad to see you tackled this almost insurmountable catalog. I must say this would mirror my own top 10, though not in the same order, except for one. Perhaps this is a sentimental favorite, but Sleep Dirt would definitely be in my top 10. And oddly, I’ve seen several discussions of One Size Fits All, and not one mentions the song, which my brother once described as possibly the greatest song ever written, Andy. A slight oversight that is easily forgiven. Enjoyed the video very much. Best to you!

Really enjoyable top ten video. Don't think i would be brave enough to actually do it myself with The Grandmothers massive output. All your choices are cracking!

I love Joes Garage especially the first one. I might go for Hot Rats as my favourite but I dont know them all, not even close

The one I've been waiting for! Thanks

The fact you put absolutely free on this list is perfect! that’s too sweet since it’s in my top 5 so far

One size fits all, is my fav, followed by Hot rats, Joes garage, and Overnight sensation.

No Uncle Meat, No Lumpy Gravy, No Burnt Weeny, No Weasels, I’m sure you can guess my favourite Frank era.

Love your reviews. Great choices, only you missed two of my favorite tracks: “The Torture Never Stops” and “Valley Girl”. But there are so many things happening on every one of his albums. You are in for a ride every time. Mos def not easy listening.

You Can't do That on Stage Anymore (vol.3), yep live recordings, yep even including songs from different gigs united with some kind of magic glue, but what the hell, that's an absolutely fantastic album :)

The very first Zappa album I bought was Apostrophe and remains my favourite. I played the song Uncle Remus over and over. But for sheer weirdness I have a perverse affection for Lumpy Gravy.

Sleep dirt is one of my favorites. So unique

I love early Zappa. Anything after 1974 I think is a bit patchy. His sixties albums I think are perfect.

Thanks for the video. Based on your recommendations I listened to the Hot rats album. Although I listen and enjoy music it's quite rare to come away from an album and say that I really enjoyed that album. So much so that I put it on again and listened again. The Gumbo variations was absolutely amazing! I will have to try the others in the list next. Thanks again

Glad that 'You Are What You Is' gets a mention. The vocal orchestrations alone are astonishing never mind everything else that's going on. As I'm a Zappa nerd who can't resist an opportunity to write a list , here's my top ten: 1. Studio Tan 2. Civilization Phaze III 3.Only In It For The Money 4. Uncle Meat 5.You Are What You Is 6. One Size Fits All 7.Ship Arriving Too Late 8.200 Motels 9.Orchestral Vol 1& 2 10.Sleep Dirt

You can't argue with anyone's top 10 Zappa albums. I'll be returning to this to listen more fully when I'm not distracted. While the order of the albums you mention would change for me (or anyone I imagine), the additions I'd include are Reuben and the Jets (which I always enjoy) and Burnt Weenie Sandwich for the violin solo by Sugar Cane Harris. And Grand Wazoo for its jazz fusions second only to Hot Rats.

Has there ever been a Zappa fan, who is not well spoken? Great video my friend.

Extrapolation recorded 18 January 1969 Hot Rats released October 10, 1969 Bitches Brew released: March 30, 1970

Heya mate, loved the video! Chose some killer albums there, I'd add WakaJawaka, Grand Wazoo and Sleep Dirt for sure

I'm 48 yp and my first listen when i was twenty ; since i've bought all those ten albumus but my fav is "200 Motels"

Yep. I’m just gonna go ahead and getting “liking” this video out of the way so I can focus on drinking coffee and savoring all 26 minutes of this.

Always dug Zoot Allures. The Torture Never Stops was probably my favorite Zappa song.

Good selections and commentary. You picked 3 of mine.

Excellent you know your stuff Great review of a difficult artist to review

Great Stuff Barry! When you said you were doing this I wrote my top ten as well so here they are. 10- Absolutely Free 9- Bongo Fury 8- Freak Out 7- Roxy & Elsewhere 6- Hot Rats 5- One Size fits all 4- Apostrophe 3- Overnite Sensation 2- Zoot Allures 1 Sheik Yerbouti

In no particular order: 1 - One Size Fits All 2 - Apostrophe 3 - Hot Rats 4 - Overnite Sensations 5 - The Grand Wazoo 6 - Joe's Garage part 1 7 - Studio Tan 8 - Waka Yawaka 9 - Burnt Weeny Sandwich 10 . Chunga's Revenge

I just looked at Wikipedia and it says he did 62 albums! And another 62 albums released posthumously. I had no idea.

I remember falling in love with Zappa in the late 70's at 15yo when my friend played Another Band From LA. I was hooked even though it was not his best, in my opinion. When I bought We're Only in it for the Money afterwards I was perplexed and didn't understand the record. Played it a few more times and thought (and still do) that it was an absolute masterpiece! Uncle Meat was next, and on and on.... Couldn't get enough. One I've never liked is Absolutely Free although certain parts I love, could never bond with that one. They are all so different and that's really amazing in itself.

Great video. My favs are: Sunburst Finale / Zuma / Red Rose Speedway. Thanks.

1. Over-nite Sensation 2. Uncle Meat 3. One Size fits All 4. Freak Out 5. Studio Tan 6. Burnt Weeny Sandwich 7. Only in it for the Money 8. Absolutely Free 9. Weasels ripped my Flesh 10. Sheik Yerbouti

I’ve been listening to Absolutely Free a lot recently. I didn’t really get it earlier at all. Anything ‘66 to ‘75 will do me

If I want to get into an artist that I’m not familiar with, I see if you’ve done a video (like this) and then go from there. Many thanks

I thoroughly enjoyed watching and listening to your thoughts on Zappa's top 10 and I think it is spot on except I'd have Sheik Yerbouti lower down. My ear is drawn to less noisy music these days. I'm also staring at Ben Watsons book which I've just purchased wondering when I will have enough time to focus properly on reading it. I have a few days off next week so that's settled. I've also been writing to my teenage nephew and sending him Zappa CD's all of which he has on your list except Sheik & Joe. One Size is my favourite as well, and I Inca Roads Guitar solo is sublime. Thank you.

Though my list would be different, I agree with many choices and with your #1. “Inca Roads” was simply mind boggling to any musician that heard it. It’s difficult now to understand how far ahead of its time it was. Interestingly, the guitar solo was a live recording of a different song, spliced in. After moving to LA some 36 years ago one revelation was how many more of Zappa’s references made sense. "Camarillo Brillo" is goofing on people mispronouncing Spanish city names ("Cam-ah-ree-o"). Anyhow, great job, and I’m glad that for once you couldn't sneak in a “Topographic Oceans” reference... 😉

Orchestral Favorites...🥇

I started picking up Zappa los around 75. My older brother turned me on to overnight sensation. I had 45 different LP's before it was over. And I only scratched the surface. Some were bootlegs. Freak out is one of my favorites. Zoot Allures. Live in New York. Shut up and play your guitar. Of course apostrophe and overnight sensation. The bootlegs we're all live European. Never had cruisin with Ruben and the jets. Or we're only in it for the money. The best thing about Zappa, so to speak, is my introduction to captain beefheart.

"One Size Fits All" is his best album....a beautifully performed, sonically rich and well composed album... "Uncle Meat" needs a mention.

This has to be subjective because FZ released 400 albums (or it feels like it). All I would do with this is move Joe's Garage up. I've only heard 3 triple albums in my life and the other two have a lot of crap on them. A listen to Joe's Garage now for me does reveal that the album is actually fillerless and actually tightened by the story and its nature as a concept album. It really is a high point in his career and by his words one of his proudest achievements. The other one is Lumpy Gravy.

I bought my first Frank Zappa album a few years ago. Then I have now and again bought another one. Much on chance and the popular opinion online. I got nine now and eight is on this list! Pretty spot on I must say!

Got to see Dweezil play Hot Rats in its entirety several years ago. Amazing show. He played a bunch of other Frank classics, too.

I probably listen to Gumbo Variations more than any other song

I bought Sheik Yerbouti on CD around 1994. I took it home and listened to it in its entirety in a single sitting. I then immediately listened to it again in its entirety. Amazing album. It blew my mind to discover the basic tracks were live recordings. Oh, and the liner notes are hilarious.

Nothing here retracts from the impression of Zappa as a sleazy misanthrope.

I love You Are What You Is and Joe's Garage. Plus Freak Out is insane and so so good

Nice list. I always find it hard to rank Zappa albums because his sound constantly evolved throughout his career. At the moment, my fav is You Are What You Is but I enjoy all of his records.

I bought Weasels Ripped My Flesh right after release in 1970 based on a girlfriend's recommendation that Zappa was really trippy and after the cover caught my eye. She was my first gateway to cool music even though she was into sappy dreck like James Taylor and John Sebastian. Anyway, all my friends and I were convinced Zappa was into weed and psychedelics just like everybody else. Little did we know nothing but heavy use of nicotine and caffeine could lead to such outrageous artistry.

Of course the record label made that image from We're Only In It For the Money be the inner sleeve. Also, The Mothers and the VU were on the same, somewhat cash strapped, label, and there was an actual financial rivalry for resources. On the Canadian version of the album it's both Zappa and the VU who have their music erased.

Great job of your top 10, I also Like Weasels Ripped My Flesh, the song Directly From My Heart to Yours, a Little Richard song, Zoot Allures,I Saw Zappa live during this period, Chunga's Revenge, Cruising With Ruben & the Jets,Cheap Thrills!!!

Ruth and Ian were both on Uncle Meat just not yet married.

I would place '200 Motels' up there with the best of his work. It has such a range of music on it and would probably be my desert island disc. It is very hard though to choose, and certainly I would not question your other choices at all. His body of work was outstanding.

Can't agree with you more about One Size Fits All. A magnificent album! The tracks Inca Roads, Po-Jama People and Andy alone are enough to put it at number one for me. Sorry, but I couldn't leave out the live albums ... they're just too good. My understanding is that he used a lot of taped live bits when he produced and constructed his studio tracks anyway, so his live and studio work is often interchangeable. 10. Zappa in New York 9. Joe's Garage Act I 8. Zoot Allures 7. Sheik Yerbouti 6. Hot Rats 5. Roxy & Elsewhere 4. Over-Nite Sensation 3. Bongo Fury 2. Apostrophe (') 1. One Size Fits All

If someone tells me not to eat any yellow snow I will take it as a philosophical gem I suppose

This feels weighted with strong consideration to historical importance and fan popularity. I must admit I would be hard pressed to drop any of the Roxy era albums of the list either, those being: Overnight Sensation, Apostrophe and One Size Fits All. They really are a peak of playing and writing. I would have probably only picked one or two of the early original Mothers albums if we're picking purely on the merits. As much as it pains me to do it, I would've dropped Freak Out, despite the historical significance, in favor of say, the brilliance of The Grand Wazoo, or the feedback and continued orchestral experiments of his middle '70's era albums like Zoot Allures, Sleep Dirt, or Orchestral Favorites. I was happy to see You Are What You Is on your list as that is a brilliant and often overlooked album that has always remained in my top three. That album along with Apostrophe and Overnite Sensation I thought struck the perfect tenuous balance of Zappa humour. Broaching provocative subjects without crossing the line into mean spirited bashing or juvenile, ridiculous, rubbish. Both of which I think he went a little too far with (for my taste) from time to time. He also brilliantly balanced the comedic, story telling aspects with unbelievably virtuosic ensemble playing, while wrapping it all up with enough melody and hooks to make these albums popularly accessible. And one other observation: You Are What You Is is the only album on your list that isn't from the '60's or ''70's! I might've arrived at the same place if you disqualified Broadway the Hard Way or The Yellow Shark as live albums. But as albums containing almost all new material, they served the same function as a new studio album. And finally, with Zappa's near obsession with live recording and voluminous output, you should follow this with a top ten Zappa live albums. In fact, you could even pick twenty by doing albums released before his death as well as posthumously! Some of those released posthumously, were even better than those released before. Anyway, another enjoyable video analysis as always. Thanks for your thoughtful insights.

amazing to take on this task, but you handled it very well indeed....just for my own personal listing, two albums that would have to find their way in the top ten are 'zoot allures' and 'sleep dirt'....but that's just me...brilliant my friend...peace...rocky

I agree your statement regarding the amount of albums Zappa has put out it is a hard choice to pick only 10. A couple of my favorite songs, Peaches En Regalia and Billy the Mountain!

I've heard exactly one of these! I'll have to explore further...

Yup, same, same for No 1 & No 2.

Pretty fantastic! I may not agree with his rankings (Which I do not.) but his commentary is interesting and that makes him likable. I love to have a conversation with the guy.

It's the "Utility Muffin Research KITCHEN" not center.

Joe’s Garage was the first Zappa I ever heard, last week actually. Heard it 3x in a row, immediately became obsessed. lmao It’s a way of life I love it ;)

I'm new to buying Frank Zappa although heard his albums as far back as the 1980s. I have all you mention bar the first two Mothers albums and You Are What You Is. But I have Uncle Meat, Chunga's Revenge, Waka Jawaka, The Grand Wazoo and Zoot Allures. I suppose Apostrophe, Sheik Yerbouti and Joe's Garage take some beating but Uncle Meat and The Grand Wazoo are popular with me at the moment.

1. Hot rats (top 10 albums of all time easily) 2. One size fits all 3. Joe's garage 4. Overnite sensation 5. Apostrophe 6. The grand wazoo 7. Sheik Yerbouti 8. Waka Jawaka 9. You are what you is 10. The man from utopia

You've nailed it here...I would have picked the same.