Album: Thing‐Fish

Overview
"Thing-Fish" is an idea album launched in 1984 by Frank Zappa, an extremely influential and prolific American artist, author, and manufacturer. Known for his eclectic and ingenious musical design, Zappa combined different categories, consisting of rock, jazz, orchestral, and avant-garde music. The "Thing-Fish" album is a complex work that explores different styles such as politics, sex, race, and social problems, showcasing Zappa's provocative approach and unique creative vision.

"Thing-Fish" was Zappa's 38th album and was launched on his own Barking Pumpkin Records. It was at first conceived as a Broadway show however eventually evolved into a narrated concept album. This three-LP album includes a mix of spoken word discussions, music, and complex storytelling, with Zappa critiquing various aspects of society and human behavior.

Plot and Characters
"Thing-Fish" is a satirical story with a series of interconnected occasions including different characters. The main figure of the album is the eponymous "Thing-Fish", the mutated result of a federal government experiment that was planned to create a race of sex slaves. Thing-Fish uses "a voguish Edwardian arrangement garni and swim fins", and tells the story in a mix of black American dialect and minstrel reveal dialog, similar to "Amos & Andy".

Some of the other central characters in the album are Harry and Rhonda, a married white couple, and the Evil Prince, a mysterious figure looking like a Hollywood music producer. The plot of "Thing-Fish" revolves around a virus presented by the federal government, which damages the libido of the American individuals. This virus allegedly comes from deformed potatoes, invoking a sense of absurdity. Throughout the album, Zappa indicates that the federal government manipulates mass media and uses it as a means of dividing society.

Musical Styles and Themes
Musically, "Thing-Fish" consists of a mix of musical categories, including rock, jazz, and contemporary symphonic music. The instrumentals frequently take a backseat to the spoken word dialogues, which might be perceived as more dominating in the listening experience. Some of the album's significant songs consist of "Harry-as-a-Boy", "He's So Gay", and "Brown Moses".

The album incorporates diverse arrangements and musical styles, reflecting Zappa's love for try out different kinds and categories. In true Zappa fashion, the instrumentation and production of the album are extremely diverse, showcasing his capability to perfectly blend various musical aspects.

The styles of "Thing-Fish" variety from race, politics, sexual orientation, to religion. Zappa's biting satirical approach to these topics shows his controversial and subversive nature. The album is likewise a review of commercialism and the music industry, as well as the government's impact on art and media.

Reception and Legacy
"Thing-Fish" received combined reviews upon its release. Critics valued Zappa's biting satire, musical experimentation, and the provocative nature of the album. However, some felt that the album's length and the dominance of the spoken word dialogues tended to rather eclipse the music. Despite its dissentious reception, the album strengthened Zappa's position as a fiercely imaginative and subversive artist going to deal with complex and questionable themes.

In conclusion, "Thing-Fish" is an ambitious and highly innovative concept album that merges different musical genres to check out complicated styles. With its elaborate story, satirical approach, and diverse musical design, the album showcases Frank Zappa's status as one of the most prominent and provocative artists in contemporary music history.