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?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“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