A showdown of the good Captain, one being his most cherished mid period album, the other his most cherished late period album. Both contain twelve tracks, both rule, so let’s get it on!

1. “Low Yo Yo Stuff” v “Hot Head”

Wow. I really love “Low Yo Yo Stuff” with its groove that’s actually pretty unorthodox, it’s not your 1-2-4 type of deal at all. On the other hand, I really love the nasty bite of “Hot Head”, so as much as I love “Low Yo Yo Stuff”, my vote goes to “Hot Head”.

2. “Nowadays A Woman’s Gotta Hit A Man” v “Ashtray Heart”

Both great tunes, but it’s gotta be “Ashtray Heart”. Seriously, that’s a Beefheart staple.

3. “Too Much Time” v “A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond”

While “Carrot” is a really cool little instrumental piece, I’m going with the Motown throwback of “Too Much Time”.

4. “Circumstances” v “Run Paint Run Run”

Going with “Circumstances”, a great bluesy track done Beefheart style.

5. “My Head Is My Only House Unless It Rains” v “Sue Egypt”

“She Egypt” is a cool song, but “Head” is such a beautiful love song, so “My Head” wins this one.

6. “Sun Zoom Spark” v “Brickbats”

Hm, I do love “Brickbats” for combining Trout with the new(er) sound, but man does “Sun Zoom Spark” get to me and my funnybone.

Halfway through, and Clear Spot is winning.

7. “Clear Spot” v “Dirty Blue Gene”

Wow, I love “Clear Spot”, but “Dirty Blue Gene” has such a stink to it, and I love the backing vocals on it as well, so “Dirty Blue Gene” it is.

8. “Crazy Little Thing” v “Best Batch Up”

Well, I’m giving this to “Crazy Little Thing”.

9. “Long Beck Bottles” v “Telephone”

Two great tunes, but I’m a little more partial to “Telephone”, just crazed and unhinged like I want my Beefheart.

10. “Her Eyes Are A Blue Million Miles” v “Flavor Bud Living”

While “Flavor Bud Living” is a great little instrumental, I have to give this to “Blue Million Miles”.

11. “Big Eyed Beans From Venus” v “Sheriff Of HongKong“

Wow, this will be painful. I have to go with “Sheriff Of Hong Kong”, my favorite off Doc and maybe from the entire Beefheart canon.

12. “Golden Birdies” v “Making Love To A Vampire With A Monkey On My Knee”

You know what, just for the title, I’m giving it to “Making Love To A Vampire With A Monkey On My Knee”.

And hot dog, we have a tie. While I do like Clear Spot more as an album, Doc sure does have its fair share of gems.