10 Best Experimental Rock Albums Of All Time
6. Trout Mask Replica - Captain Beefheart
As the rock scene has expanded, we have more than a few artists who claim to be on the eccentric side. From the realms of shock rock to noise rock to some of the most horrific music imaginable, the public at large seems to have a higher tolerance for some weird sounds in their music. Then again, even the connoisseurs of weird music probably tread lightly when listening to Trout Mask Replica.
Being friends with the king of weird Frank Zappa, Mr. Beefheart had enough strange detours in his music to put his mentor to shame, especially when you hear some of the ramblings on here. The minute you hit play on this album, you'd swear that this was meant to be a joke, with most of the instruments sounding like they're playing four distinct songs at the same time.
It sounds like absolute anarchy...until you realize that that's exactly the point. As much as this sounds disjointed, Beefheart apparently crafted this unholy concoction himself, calculating every note to play at the exact right (or wrong) time to have you on the edge of your seat. This isn't the kind of album that you have to meet halfway. You have to practically reprogram your entire musical vision if you even want to vaguely understand what's going on on this record.