A decade ago his satirical, nihilistic humour and scatological obsessions hurt. But Zappa's themes have worn thin, and his targets grown easy. It's rather like watching a '60s underground mag turn yellow and date. This lessens the impact of the music [on "Wembley Arena"], however brilliant: it comes over as pastiche (mere imitation) rather than parody (imitation with something to say).

Zappa has always avoided the laughable spiritual commitments which musicians of this calibre often take on. But he pays a price for his flippancy. As the musical expertise grows and the wit declines, the effect becomes strangely syrupy and operatic. Frank, ever scornful of rock 'n roll values, has merely ended up as very superior showbiz.

Paul Tickell, "Caught in the Act," in Melody Maker (© IPC Business Press Ltd.), June 28, 1980, p. 18.