Customer Reviews

Hat

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Sometimes you buy an album not really knowing what to expect. And then are pleasantly surprised. Keneally, stunt-guitarist and alumnus of Frank Zappa's "Best Band..." of the 1988 tour, delivers an intriguing blend of surreal lyrics, pop themes and guitar smashing virtuousity in a 72 minute opus that makes for an incredible debut album. Highlights include, besides all 25 tracks, "The Day of the Cow," a whimsical nightmare vision of the vengeance of Bessie and "Lightning Roy," a thirteen-minute adventure lovingly dedicated to his mentor, Frank Zappa. Sounding not at all like Zappa and more like Joe Jackson or even Queen, this album features surprises at every turn.

How do you describe the music of guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Mike Keneally? To be honest it is really difficult. His music is literally all over the map. He tries a little bit of everything on his albums, some of it works and some does not, but it is all done with an incredible amount of talent and musical skill. Keneally got his start with Frank Zappa and to this day Zappa is an obvious influence on Keneally's music. His compositions range from smoking guitar shred instrumentals, to pure pop, to out there experimental exposition, to progressive rock, to heavy rock, to humorous tales of offbeat characters, to some material that is just plain silly. You name it Keneally covers it on this disc. Personal favorites include "Year Of The Cow", and the just plain weird "Lightning Roy". Keneally's music will not be for everyone, but if you are a fan of Zappa or just plain offbeat rock played flawlessly this album would be a good place to start to explore what Keneally is all about.

I have the original "hat" and recently purchased the remastered "hat". Not only is the sound quality significantly improved, there are more great tunes on the remastered CD. Check it out if you like Keneally. It rocks!!!

Mike Keneally's hat is still the finest debut release I've heard in the past 20 years. If you're looking for cookie cutter shred guitar, forget it! On the other hand, if you want to dive head first into a thrilling, challenging, eccentric, fantastic progressive rock/pop extravaganza, this is it! Don't pay 33 dollars for it here. Go to Keneally.com and order a copy for the going price. It's not out of print.

Mikes first album- "Hat" miraculusly lep into my hands as a gift from another Zappa fan several years ago. Keneally's goofball and quirky sensability simply pours from this album. Being his first album, this one is a little rougher recorded and not as sophisticated as his later 5 star albums "Boil That Dust Speck", "Sluggo" and Dancing". However, at 4 stars, "Hat" shows MK's raw first efforts at creating his own delightfully offkilter music and will stack up well against any solo albums by other Zappa alumni. Of the guitarists that preceeded him in FZ's bands (Adrian Belew, Steve Vai), Keneally's writing is the most sophisticated, complex and exciting.

Along with the obvious influences from his time spent with Zappa, you can also hear powerful influences from Brian Wilson, XTC, Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan and of course, The Beatles.

At times it is in your face and difficult, and at other times, it has a sweet and innocent pop sensability. Not every artist can strike a balance between the 2 and have both seem effortless. That his subsequent work gets even better in the same way shows that "Hat" was no fluke.

If you get lucky, like I did, and accidentally find this passed over in some large retail bin, then PICK IT UP! In my case, was at Media Play, and the bin I found it in was labelled 'Mike Kennearley.' How funny is that? The musicianship is great, and I laughed out loud at some of his jokes. I doubt my girlfriend would like it much, though, but that's her loss. Find it if you can,'cause it's worth finding. I can't wait to hear 'Nonkertompf.'

Mike Keneally is one of those musicians who is so good that you want to despise him with a burning passion. He's unbelieveable at everything, whether it's playing guitar, keys, or writing/arranging. This album is what would happen if you combined Frank Zappa, XTC, and pop music. Sometimes very silly, sometimes very bizzare, sometimes just plain wrong.. it all just works in the world of Keneally.

This was an Amazon recommendation based upon my past purchases of Buckethead and Joe Satriani. While Keneally is clearly a gifted guitarist, this album tends towards Zappa a bit too much for my liking. Don't get me wrong, I like Zappa, but this album just wasn't my cup of tea.

Mike Keneally's music is like an experimental movie with no beggining, middle, end. He's managed to incorporate Todd Rundgren, Brian Wilson and the other songwriting giants into a unique "non-style" that's jumpy, irritating and, well, not very musical. A shame for such a fine guitarist with such great recording technique. Somewhere in here are some fabulous songs--hits, even--but I doubt Mike will ever lower himself to that.

So who gives it 5 stars? People who prefer novelty and cleverness to catchiness, I guess. Zappa fans. Home recording enthusiasts, maybe. This is the kind of stuff that critics, bored with listening to the same old thing, just love. If Leonard Bernstein was alive, he'd go nuts for this.