King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are something of a music making machine. They’ve produced thirteen full-length records since 2012 and from what I’ve heard of them so far, they’re pretty bloody good. The records are wide ranging, going from psychedelic rock to jazz, folk and even surf music. One of the records that stands out for me is ‘Flying Microtonal Banana‘ which was released at the beginning of 2017 and one of five records released by the band this year. It was the first record of theirs that I heard but today I want to talk about ‘Nonagon Infinity’.
Despite the fact that this record got rave reviews and picked up a few awards in their home country, I’ve found it hard to love it. Again, I have no real right to criticise other than the fact that I’m the listener and the guy who paid for the record, so to a certain degree my opinion matters. The first thing I should mention is that the record is interesting in how the tracks play into one another, so it seems like one giant song. Its ending also plays perfectly into its beginning so before you know it, you cold end up hearing the record two or three times! It means that the theme and concept of the record runs throughout and keeps you drawn in and in fairness, I can’t imagine creating 9, (hence the name), individual songs that play straight through is easy. I also feel that this is a record you’ve to be a certain mood for. The psychedelic sound and blaring noise certainly doesn’t suit your morning commute, but in times where you need to lash out, stick this on.
Of the tracks that do it for me there are ‘Robot Stop’, its follow up, ‘Big Fish Wasp’, ‘Gamma Knife’, ‘Mr.Beat’ and ‘Road Train’. Funnily enough, that’s over half the record in terms of tracks! These are the tracks that seem to combine the urgency with a melody and perhaps that’s why the album did so well. These are really good songs, loud and intentional but not too much for a first time listener. My first few listens were tough but then again, there’s a gigantic amount of music by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard that I’ve yet to get through so perhaps my ears are still untrained! Another thing I noticed is that this record could potentially work as just an instrumental record. The lyrics don’t exactly blow you away so if you give it a few listens, perhaps you’ll hear the same thing.
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are also meant to be insane live, one of the best in the world. I’m going to see these guys in a few months so wish me luck, I might not make it out alive!
G.M
Photo Credit: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard – Bandcamp
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