Via Zammata’
Dweezil Zappa
(Fantom Records)
Three stars
Dweezil Zappa’s new album is top-heavy with the influence of his late, great father, Frank, and bottom-loaded with harmony-drenched pop songs.
Dweezil has been performing his dad's music for years, but on Via Zammata' – the Sicilian street his family emigrated from – the paternal effect only goes so far.
The elder Zappa would have smiled at the distorted arrangements provided for his clichéd heavy metal-lyrics on Dragon Master, the only song co-written by father and son.
On Malkovich, Dweezil sets up actor John Malkovich by letting him read a classic philosophical text, before asking him what the heck he's talking about. Both say yes to Frank's question of: "Does humour belong in music?"
Rat Race comes with a rockabilly beat and an organ sound close to Del Shannon's Runaway, while opening instrumental Funky 15 reflects Frank's progressive rock tendencies.
The rest of the 12 tracks range from Posies-like power pop to lounge music and the Tijuana Brass.
On Jaws of Life, Dweezil says: "You were probably smarter when you were a kid."
Via Zammata' proves that at 46, he has aged wisely.
artslife@thenational.ae
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
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“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)
TV: Abu Dhabi Sports
