Frank Zappa: Mojo's ranking of his 10 best albums

British magazine Mojo has dedicated an in-depth feature to Frank Zappa, publishing its ranking of the 10 best albums made by the brilliant composer from Baltimore. “In every town there's always a freak, an outcast who gets mocked but is also, perhaps, slightly revered because he dares to think differently. He might even enjoy our music,” Frank Zappa said in 1966, on the eve of the release of “Freak Out!”, the debut album by the Mothers Of Invention – Mojo recalls. Over the following 26 years, up until his death on December 4, 1993, Zappa turned his outsider status into a genuine trademark, transforming anger into art and drawing on humor as much as his extraordinary virtuosity to create some of the most provocative and innovative music of the 20th century.
“His output – the magazine points out – spans psychedelia, hard rock, jazz fusion, progressive rock, doo-wop, avant-garde and contemporary classical music. He was so prolific that, when the author of this article met him a few months before his death, Zappa himself wasn't sure whether he'd released 52 or 54 albums. Since then his catalogue has grown to more than 75 records: a genuine maze that's easy to get lost in. It's hardly surprising, then, that Zappa fans have spent decades arguing, often passionately, over which of his works are essential. Ask ten fans for their favourite Zappa albums and you'll likely get ten different lists, complete with lengthy justifications and maybe even a few second thoughts. This selection – concludes Phil Alexander in Mojo – is intended as an introductory guide to the work of the great American musician.”

Here are Frank Zappa's ten best albums – from number ten down to number one – according to the British magazine (full feature here):

10. Frank Zappa And Ensemble Modern – The Yellow Shark (1993)

9. Frank Zappa And The Mothers Of Invention – Uncle Meat (1969)

8. Frank Zappa – Chunga’s Revenge (1970)

7. Frank Zappa – Joe’s Garage Acts I, II & III (1979)

6. Frank Zappa – Lumpy Gravy (1968)

5. Frank Zappa – Läther (1996)

4. Zappa/Mothers – Roxy And Elsewhere (1974)

3. Frank Zappa And The Mothers Of Invention – One Size Fits All (1975)

2. Frank Zappa – Hot Rats (1969)

1. Frank Zappa/The Mothers Of Invention – Freak Out! (1966)

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