The Leek Music Review: Captain Beefheart’s “Frownland”

“Frownland” was created by the legendary Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band in 1969. It’s a song out of time, the perfection of the musical structure and the incredible usage of unorthodox instruments makes it seem that Bach himself rose from his grave to give us a musical piece that could bring a second renaissance of music. “Frownland” was part of a larger album called “Trout Mask Replica” which was Beefheart’s most popular album to date.

Captain Beefheart had a stroke of genius when he started meditating from the peak of Mt. Fuji, Beefheart stated that “It felt… indescribable, I felt tranquility but free. Truly free, descending into the skies like an eagle. Even if it was only for a single minute. That was when I got the idea for Frownland.” Beefheart started work on “Frownland” only after his second trip to Finland when he hired his future guitarist, Alex St. Clair, who was finding his Zen during that time. The duo got together and started writing “Trout Mask Replica” (Which was rumored that it represented the god of the sea, Dalek) with “Frownland” as its main piece. Beefheart and St. Clair started researching classical, baroque, romance composers like Mozart, Bach, Pachelbel, and Wagner to ensure that they would have their legacy be as “…Dedicated and magnificent” in the words of St. Clair.

“Frownland” itself was known as a masterpiece for its ingenious usage of guitar riffs and the mastery of drums, however, it’s nowhere near the rock genre but rather a mix of blues and psychedelics known for the 70s and late 60s. Not to mention Beefheart’s “Rock ‘n Roll” style of voice in “Frownland” made Nirvana out of the three mismatch anarchical styles. “Frownland” is also one of the best-received songs ever winning both platinum for USA charts and Europe charts in a span of 20 days, it can be described as magic. When I first heard “Frownland”, I could almost experience Beefheart’s genius and prowess. It felt like I could divide zero by zero, it made me felt like an emperor of the world, and it made me felt like I could reach my hand into the heavens to become one with it. Its melody tingles your ears in a way that even a devil’s gambit seemed unworthy to this utter masterpiece, the rhythm, and timing of the instruments are phenomenal as it fits perfectly with the overall theme of the song and it’s chaotically freestyle. My body felt calm but energetic, free but locked in a cage, and powerful but frail. That is what makes “Frownland” such a powerful and moving piece of art that should be listened to all and to be praised by the gods.

I recommend Captain Beefheart’s work to anyone that is looking for an inspiring artist like Da Vinci and Picasso, his work throughout life should be mirrored throughout everyone who would pray for enlightenment. Overall, I give Captain Beefheart & his Magic Band’s “Frownland” a 10/10. It is the second renaissance for music and should be praised by all, it has no flaws and has a perfect composition of music after decades of research. It deserves the rating.