Completely Conspicuous 473: Dig for Fire (Maiden-Zappa, Part 2)

This week, Brian Salvatore and I discuss more musical blindspots. Brian will learn about Iron Maiden while I dig into Frank Zappa.

Show notes:

- Brian listened to Number of the Beast, Jay listened to Apostrophe

- Brian: No surprises on Number of the Beast

- Familiar with half the album

- Liked the fast and heavy stuff, not the slower songs

- Jay: This was my introduction to Maiden

- The transition to more epic material

- Ozzy transcended the metal downturn of the '90s

- The power of album covers, good and bad

- The beginning of Maiden's prime

- Jay: Apostrophe was Zappa's 18th album

- "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow" was a hit

- More straightahead rock than jazz fusion

- Memorable songs: Cosmik Debris, Uncle Remus, St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast

- Zappa live albums are different experiences

- High-level playing countered by sometimes dumb lyrics

- Zappa pioneered sampling and recording techniques

- Next up: Sheik Yerbouti for Jay, Somewhere in Time for Brian

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The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.