Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
Broadway the hard way, indeed. Frank Zappa's mock musical is also one of his most scathing satires, and sure to offend the sensibilities of many who hear it. Those who get past its prickly skin will be pleased to discover an ambitious, hilarious, and catchy look at life and love in the 1980's--with an outlook not so good. Government experimentation on prison inmates leads to the creation of a new race of super beings, The Mammy Nuns, who start their own Broadway musical. Yuppie couple Harry & Rhonda come to the show, unaware that they are more than just part of the audience in this production, and find their own lives under the scrutiny of the Mammy Nun's leader, Thing-Fish, voiced by long-time Zappa cohort Ike Willis. Organized religion, homosexuality, feminism, and racial identity are just some of the subjects Zappa throws onto a groove of tight rock and a sheet of vocal sound. Maybe not one of Zappa's best albums, but certainly one of his most daring. --Andrew Boscardin

Album Description:
Japanese reissue of 1984 album, packaged in a deluxe cardboard box. Videoarts. 2002.

Album Details:
Japanese version featuring a limited LP style slipcase cover.

Rating: - i dunno how anyone could justify giving this nasty poo more than a star
comes off like a joke on the listener. I know good music when i hear it which is why i like zappa but this is nearly unforgivable tripe. nearly all this stuff is available in a palatable form in other albums. Im glad i didnt pay for it. this turd definitely stinks.

---

Rating: - "This CD isnt dead, it just smells funny"
Well,
This is the worst of all Zappa albums. A badly mixed re-hash of older recordings, overdubbed with the most inane lyrics and voice-overs. I was absolutely embarassed for Frank, for being in the position to have to release a bogus rip off of a CD. He either was bored, or in need of serious cash, to dump this one out.

This Zappa recording, I was NOT in a hurry to let my friends hear, hearing the overtly racist comments about blacks and others. (I do have black friends who ... Read More

---

Rating: - Frank still causing debate!
It's funny to see both sides of the coin. I, like many others, think this is a wonderful album. Some think this is the worst album he's ever released. I love "Broadway The Hardway" and "Best Band You've Never Heard In Your Life" and "Thing Fish" follows suit. Looking forward to the release of "Trance-Fusion" next week!

---

Rating: - Would have been better on Broadway....
The only real complaint I have on this album is that most of the material is from other albums, and those other versions are vastly superior to the ones contained on Thing Fish. I do like the story of it, and the actual Thing Fish costume is something to behold. I would have loved to seen this on Broadway, but Zappa never got anyone to finance it. A shame. It probably would have worked better on stage than on record.

---

Rating: - Heard it a hundred times. A personal favorite.
Please everyone, listen to an album more than once before you write your reviews. Maybe, just maybe, when I have listened to 'Make a Jazz Noise Here', 'Jazz from Hell', or 'Roxy and Elsewhere' 150 times or more, I might love them as much as I love 'Thing Fish' and 'Joe's Garage'.

This is a great story. It is satirical and sarcastic. Complete with subtle and not so subtle messages. Perfect Zappa form. If you can't laugh at this, you take yourself way too seriously. Lighten up. Mr. Zappa ... Read More