The Lumpy Money Project/Object cover

The Lumpy Money Project/Object

Frank Zappa · 2009

206 min · 78 tracks · alternative rock

A surreal blend of orchestral motifs and avant-garde soundscapes that defy conventional genre boundaries.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    I Sink Trap (FZ’s original orchestral edit for Capitol Records) Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Lumpy Gravy, Part One — This lengthy composition encapsulates Zappa's unique blend of humor and complexity, weaving together disparate musical ideas into a cohesive narrative structure.
  • →
    Who Needs the Peace Corps? — This track exemplifies Zappa's sharp social commentary wrapped in satirical lyrics, revealing his disdain for societal norms through catchy melodies.
  • →
    The Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny — As a centerpiece of Zappa's lyrical wit, this track showcases his ability to fuse spoken word with intricate musical arrangements, pushing the boundaries of traditional song structures.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • whimsical humor throughout listening
  • dynamic exploration with peaks
  • sustained engagement over two halves
  • playful yet intricate arrangements
  • short bursts of quirky surprises

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer straightforward song structures
  • seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — A remix and compilation of earlier works, appealing to dedicated fans of Zappa's catalog.
Themes
satirical social commentary· orchestral experimentation· posthumous re-evaluation
Moods
Chill· Romantic
Career context
Released in 2009, The Lumpy Money Project/Object comes during a period of re-evaluation of Frank Zappa's vast catalog after his death in 1993. This album serves to compile and remix earlier works, specifically focusing on the orchestral compositions Zappa created for Capitol Records, showcasing his innovative approach to music production even posthumously.
Stylistic neighbors
Captain Beefheart· The Residents· Henry Cow
New to Frank Zappa? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 I Sink Trap (FZ’s original orchestral edit for Capitol Records) Start here 2:44
  • 2 II Gum Joy (FZ’s original orchestral edit for Capitol Records) 3:44
  • 3 III Up & Down (FZ’s original orchestral edit for Capitol Records) 1:51
  • 4 IV Local Butcher (FZ’s original orchestral edit for Capitol Records) 2:35
  • 5 V Gypsy Airs (FZ’s original orchestral edit for Capitol Records) 1:41
  • 6 VI Hunchy Punchy (FZ’s original orchestral edit for Capitol Records) 2:06
  • 7 VII Foamy Soaky (FZ’s original orchestral edit for Capitol Records) 2:33
  • 8 VIII Let’s Eat Out (FZ’s original orchestral edit for Capitol Records) 1:48
  • 9 IX Teen-Age Grand Finale (FZ’s original orchestral edit for Capitol Records) 3:30
  • 10 Are You Hung Up? (1968 original mono mix) 1:25
  • 11 Who Needs the Peace Corps? (1968 original mono mix) 2:32
  • 12 Concentration Moon (1968 original mono mix) 2:21
  • 13 Mom & Dad (1968 original mono mix) 2:15
  • 14 Telephone Conversation (1968 original mono mix) 0:48
  • 15 Bow Tie Daddy (1968 original mono mix) 0:33
  • 16 Harry, You’re a Beast (1968 original mono mix) 1:20
  • 17 What’s the Ugliest Part of Your Body? (1968 original mono mix) 1:02
  • 18 Absolutely Free (1968 original mono mix) 3:25
  • 19 Flower Punk (1968 original mono mix) 3:03
  • 20 Hot Poop (1968 original mono mix) 0:26
  • 21 Nasal Rententive Calliope Music (1968 original mono mix) 2:02
  • 22 Let’s Make the Water Turn Black (1968 original mono mix) 1:57
  • 23 The Idiot Bastard Son (1968 original mono mix) 3:22
  • 24 Lonely Little Girl (1968 original mono mix) 1:10
  • 25 Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance (1968 original mono mix) 1:33
  • 26 What’s the Ugliest Part of Your Body? (reprise) (1968 original mono mix) 0:57
  • 27 Mother People (1968 original mono mix) 2:30
  • 28 The Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny (1968 original mono mix) 6:23

Disc 2

  • 1 Lumpy Gravy, Part One (1984 UMRK remix) 15:56
  • 2 Lumpy Gravy, Part Two (1984 UMRK remix) 17:15
  • 3 Are You Hung Up? (1984 UMRK remix) 1:29
  • 4 Who Needs the Peace Corps? (1984 UMRK remix) 2:35
  • 5 Concentration Moon (1984 UMRK remix) 2:17
  • 6 Mom & Dad (1984 UMRK remix) 2:15
  • 7 Telephone Conversation (1984 UMRK remix) 0:48
  • 8 Bow Tie Daddy (1984 UMRK remix) 0:33
  • 9 Harry, You’re a Beast (1984 UMRK remix) 1:21
  • 10 What’s the Ugliest Part of Your Body? (1984 UMRK remix) 1:03
  • 11 Absolutely Free (1984 UMRK remix) 3:27
  • 12 Flower Punk (1984 UMRK remix) 3:04
  • 13 Hot Poop (1984 UMRK remix) 0:28
  • 14 Nasal Retentive Calliope Music (1984 UMRK remix) 2:02
  • 15 Let’s Make the Water Turn Black (1984 UMRK remix) 1:45
  • 16 The Idiot Bastard Son (1984 UMRK remix) 3:16
  • 17 Lonely Little Girl (1984 UMRK remix) 1:11
  • 18 Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance (1984 UMRK remix) 1:34
  • 19 What’s the Ugliest Part of Your Body? (reprise, 1984 UMRK remix) 0:57
  • 20 Mother People (1984 UMRK remix) 2:30
  • 21 The Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny (1984 UMRK remix) 6:25

Disc 3

  • 1 How Did That Get in Here? 25:01
  • 2 Lumpy Gravy “Shuffle” 0:30
  • 3 Dense Slight 1:42
  • 4 Unit 3A, Take 3 2:23
  • 5 Unit 2, Take 9 1:09
  • 6 Section 8, Take 22 2:39
  • 7 “My Favorite Album” 0:58
  • 8 Unit 9 0:42
  • 9 N. Double A, AA 0:55
  • 10 Theme From Lumpy Gravy 1:53
  • 11 “What the Fuck’s Wrong With Her?” 1:07
  • 12 Intelligent Design 1:11
  • 13 Lonely Little Girl (original composition - take 24) 3:35
  • 14 “That Problem With Absolutely Free” 0:29
  • 15 Absolutely Free (instrumental) 3:59
  • 16 Harry, You’re a Beast (instrumental) 1:16
  • 17 What’s the Ugliest Part of Your Body? (reprise/instrumental) 2:00
  • 18 Creationism 1:10
  • 19 Idiot Bastard Snoop 0:47
  • 20 Idiot Bastard Son (instrumental) 2:48
  • 21 “What’s Happening of the Universe” 1:37
  • 22 “The World Will Be a Far Happier Place" 0:20
  • 23 Lonely Little Girl (instrumental) 1:25
  • 24 Mom & Dad (instrumental) 2:16
  • 25 Who Needs the Peace Corps? (instrumental) 2:51
  • 26 “Really Little Voice” 2:27
  • 27 Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance (instrumental) 1:24
  • 28 Lonely Little Girl (single version) 2:44
  • 29 “In Conclusion” 0:24

What to play next

The Grand Wazoo
Listen next

The Grand Wazoo

1972

Continues the orchestral and avant-garde themes with a rich, complex sound.
Joe’s Garage: Acts II & III
Go back to

Joe’s Garage: Acts II & III

1979

Leads into a similar experimental approach with narrative elements.
Full Frank Zappa discography Where to start with Frank Zappa Artists like Frank Zappa
alternative rock jazz fusion

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata