Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention
In 1985 Frank Zappa was called in to testify at the Parents Music Resource Center's hearings to censor rock music lyrics. Little did Al and Tipper Gore know that they'd wind up as unwitting guest vocalists (along with Senators Danforth, Hollings and Trible and the Rev. Jeff Ling) on the next Zappa album. This set is highlighted by "Porn Wars," Zappa's snarling response to the PMRC hearings, where taped testimony from the trials is manipulated through Zappa's synclavier to take on frightening overtones; in one memorable moment, a chorus of Congressional voices is transformed into pig grunts. Even without conventional lyrics, this piece gives the lie to any critics who felt Zappa was losing his satirical edge.This was Zappa's last studio album to feature vocals, and includes such pointed pieces as "Yo Cats" (a dig at conservatory-trained jazz musicians) and "We're Turning Again" (which looks cynically at the '60s coming back into fashion). For lighter moments there's a handful of instrumentals, which mark the catchier side of Zappa's work on the Synclavier.