The Words and Music of Frank Zappa - by Kelly Fisher Lowe (Paperback)

About the Book

Originally published: Westport, CT.: Praeger, c2006.

Book Synopsis

The Words and Music of Frank Zappa moves beyond the details of Frank Zappa's life (1940-93) toward a focused treatment of the rock and pop songs of this great American composer. Today Zappa's music can be appreciated as a whole, emerging as a coherent, thoughtful, and innovative-if somewhat daunting-body of work. Author Kelly Fisher Lowe has left no aspect of that work unexamined, from Zappa's role as a satirist of the highest order to his place in the genre of "progressive rock" and his importance as an influential critic of American culture and society. The volume begins with discussions of Zappa's role as a satirist and his musical style, then proceeds to an in-depth examination of his albums. Through this extended engagement with Zappa's music, a surprisingly clear perspective on his personal views emerges, shedding light on his treatment of such topics as the falsified notion of love in popular culture, the compromising influence of money on popular music, and the concept of freedom in a systematized society. The book includes an official discography and an up-to-date bibliographic essay. Kelly Fisher Lowe (1966-2007) was the director of the learning resource networks at the University of Wyoming and is the author of 100 Years of Caring: The Centennial History of Alliance Community Hospital.

Review Quotes

"The first book to move beyond the details of Zappa's biography toward a focused treatment of his rock and pop songs. Author Kelly Lowe has left no aspect of Zappa's work unexamined, from his role as a satirist, to his place within the genre of "progressive rock" and his importance as one of the foremost critics of American culture and society. This title also features a bibliographic essay that discusses the current state of Zappa scholarship."--Library Media Collection

"Author Kelly Lowe has left no aspect of Zappa's work unexamined, from his role as a satirist of the highest order, to his place within the genre of 'progressive rock' and his importance as one of the foremost critics of American culture and society. . . . [A] surprisingly clear perspective of his personal views is also provided, shedding light on his treatment of such topics as the falsified notion of love in popular culture, the compromising influence of money on popular music, and the concept of freedom in a systematized society."--Free Bird Times

"One of the strengths of Lowe's treatment is his contextualization of pop-culture references in the lyrics, explications that result in a clearer reading of Zappa's texts. Also useful are the discography of Zappa recordings and a critical bibliographic essay on the major contributions on the life and works of Frank Zappa. Students of popular or American music will appreciate this title."--Choice

About the Author

Kelly Fisher Lowe (1966-2007) was the director of the learning resource networks at the University of Wyoming and is the author of 100 Years of Caring: The Centennial History of Alliance Community Hospital.