Raising Musical Awareness: Chunga's Revenge

When a musician releases two superlative albums in the same year – especially ones titled Burnt Weeny Sandwich and Weasels Ripped My Flesh respectively – you know they’ve reached an artistic zenith that is unattainable to the standard breed. And then, with the release of Chunga’s Revenge that same year (1970), Frank Zappa was in the void.

image via wikipedia.com

 I don’t even know if Chunga’s Revenge is good. In typical Zappa fashion it is equal parts beautiful and terrible; equal parts brilliant and overwrought. “The Nancy & Mary Music” is the best example of this. It’s over 9 minutes of jazz-pop free-jamming. It’s hypnotizing and aggravating and genius. It may be the strongest song on the album and I’m pretty sure I don’t like it.

Similarly, a song like “Would You Go All The Way?” has all the garishness and crudeness of a number from The Rocky Horror Show. Yet somehow, just like the tunes in that musical, it remains charming.

However, there are definitely inarguable classics weaved in among the improvisation and tackiness. The two last tracks fall into this category. “Rudy Wants to Buy Yez a Drink” is everything that makes Zappa wonderful. It may be trying to take a stance on the Musician’s Union? I don’t care. It is filled with life and nonsense. The thumping, brassy instrumentation and shrill, wild vocals make it a forgotten minor classic to my ears.

And the album closer, “Sharleena,” exists somewhere between a late-70’s porno soundtrack and a genuinely heartfelt love ballad. It’s the most emotionally revealing song on Chunga’s (outside of Zappa’s guitar work on the title track maybe), even if it is about a groupie. It is beautifully eerie, relatively commercial sounding, and probably my personal favourite on the album. 

The cover of Chunga’s Revenge is as accurate a summation of the album as any. Is he yelling? Yawning? For fans of Zappa’s earlier politically-driven or jazz-infused works the album will provide moments of true frustration. For new fans, the striking disparity in this collection of songs, both in terms of quality and genre, may incite anger. However, I’d venture to say that most will find numerous occasions to shout with delight. And anyone who doesn’t is a burnt weeny sandwich.

Listening Recommendations: In small doses twice weekly until you think Frank Zappa is a genius. Or until you hate him. Whatever comes first.