These mothers are capable of a little invention of their own.

The Beast is back. The sprawling, anarchic team of Calgarians that brought you Martian, Zertrummerung and Minnie Mouse and the Tap-Dancing Buddha returns with a rollicking homage to ultrafreak Frank Zappa and his third album, considered by many to be his greatest masterpiece. Not that any two people could come to lasting agreement about the iconoclastic Zappa, who had at least six distinct musical personalities: psychedelic satirist, serious avant-garde composer, fusion bandleader, potty-mouthed reactionary, electronic music pioneer, and straight-up rocker.

Featuring catchy pop send-ups and lunatic humor, the 1968 album took an even-handed approach to attacking moral bankruptcy, be it found in The Establishment (“Mom and Dad” and “Bow Tie Daddy”), or among the era’s cookie-cutter hordes of would-be hippies (“Who Needs the Peace Corps?” and “Flower Punk”).

Featuring a kinetic, 14-piece, full-tilt boogie orchestra and various theatrical surprises, this is required listening for Zappa fans and neophytes alike.

Produced with the Assistance of

Old Hippy Wood Products and theAlberta Foundation for the Arts