"High voltage man kisses night to bring the light / To those who need to hide their shadow deed," sings Don Van Vliet aka Captain Beefheart during the opening moments of "Electricity," which gives clues to the Magic Band's direction w/ future projects. The unique instrumentation, surreal lyrics and overarching eccentricity would come to define the california band's sound. The rest of the dynamic 1967 debut from, however, is more accessible in comparison to Magic Band's later works, and remains a coveted body of work, perhaps immortalized in the 2000 film High Fidelity, when Barry, the highfalutin record store clerk played by Jack Black, refuses to sell the album as he deems a customer unsuitable for owning it. Heavily influenced by deep blues yet offering its wonderfully bizarre take on it, tracks like "Sure "Nuff 'n' Yes, I Do," "Plastic Factory," and "Grown so Ugly" stand as some of the highlights. "Zig Zag Wanderer," a track characterized by 20-year-old guitarist Ry Cooder's playing, hints at garage rock, and the band also interpolates doowop ("I'm Glad") and R&B vibes ("Call On Me") throughout the 12-tracker. This is the Mono reissue, just like the rare original pressing, pressed on heavyweight white vinyl. Includes liner notes by David Fricke plus a Bye-Lo Baby" sticker.

• mono reissue from original master tapes
• heavyweight white vinyl pressing
• includes insert w/ og artwork, credits, and liner notes
• "Bye-Lo Baby" sticker included
• music label: Sundazed Music 1967 / 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 10/18