The eighty-first album: #81 Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - Safe As Milk
I've mostly been exposed to Captain Beefheart from Peter's earlier listening to and reading about Trout Mask Replica, a later album of his with some odd elements in its production. Based on the name, too, I'm expecting some psychedelic sounds, or at least ones that stand out and will be weird.
Instead, so far this is more blues rock, with some odd details added, but some weird changes sneak in and the songs make more use of contrast. Dropout Boogie has a hardrock vibe, but drops in these really light moment. I'm not sure where it's meant to lead, but it brings in these sudden surprises. These are the songs that stand out from beyond the blues ballads though, which don't seem as impressive. Sure, they are competently done, but I can't say it feels that much better. It veers between, in a way that shows some progress in the music, but is mixed in how well it actually works.