When compared to the canonical Captain Beefheart records, 1972's The Spotlight Kid seems fairly straightforward. When considered on its own, it's a pretty strange record. It has an obvious rock undercurrent with an almost "boogie" feel. The songs are strangely structured, the rhythms rely on almost incoherent syncopation, and Beefheart's vocals remain jarring and slightly unpleasant. The songs resemble rock music, but there are not obvious verses and choruses. The guitars, drums, and even marimba at times border on seasick in their counter-rhythms. While Beefheart looks great on the front cover, the use of a portrait emphasizes the album's more commercial aspects. The recording, fortunately, is excellent, with the guitars sounding particularly rich and full.
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