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It took me a long time - years, in fact - to gain an appreciation for this album. It's been in my collection forever, because it's always cited as a "work of genius", listed as one of the best jazz albums of all time, a core collection selection, etc, so it was one of the first jazz albums I bought all those years ago...but to be honest, at the time it just sounded like noise to me. But, after giving up on it for a few years, writing it off as one of those works of genius that must just go over my head, and then continuing to listen to more and more jazz of varying styles and complexities, I eventually came back to it, and learned to appreciate it. I still can't say for sure that I love it - there's quite a number of Avant-Garde/Post-Bop albums above it on my personal list of favorites - but at least anymore, I no longer just hear noise when I listen to it; instead, I've actually become able to hear the music in the madness, and have started to appreciate why so many people revere it, and now with every new listen I catch some aspect, some idea Dolphy was going for, that I hadn't picked up on before, and each time I get it a little bit more.

I definitely wouldn't suggest "Out to Lunch!" to a listener who is just beginning to explore the world of jazz, as this album is the equivalent of an advanced course, possibly even a post-graduate one. But, if you're someone who has listened to a great amount of jazz, both mainstream and avant-garde, then this is an album you're ready for. Just, in either case, don't expect to be snapping your fingers or tapping your toes to the catchy grooves because, for the most part, you won't find that kind of music on the menu here...but then again, it's really not the point, either.