Right. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard don’t waste time in making music, so it doesn’t make sense I waste yours in reading this either. One of the most prolific sludge rock/metal bands to come around along with Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, you can expect more than one double album a year sometimes. They cut it short, jam it out like Phish in their latest album. This is Silver Cord.
Apart from having an ultra cool name for someone who is an internet kid, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard just rock out, man. See any of their live performances, Kerrang! Live at the Pit, KEXP, Lowlands-they give it their all. They also perform almost every single day, if you see their schedule, it isn’t human. So it’s safe to say these humanoids were made to make music, and create some great, memorable jams in the process. With Silver Cord, you’re face to face with their process, in Disc 2.
As I am a “normie”, I have listened to their album on Spotify. Come at me, reader(s). Theia is their way of saying, “Yeah, we really like this synth sound feel. Let’s make an album of/and about its exploration”. They’ve done it in true King Gizzard fashion, having extreme amounts of fun doing it. You don’t get 20-minute jams otherwise.
Today’s special: Electronica
The Australian band has been known for reaching to the realms of Spaghetti Western themes and extended concept scopes as well. Nothing seems to be off limits, and because the bandmates gel so well together, the result is usually very interesting to listen to. Theia got quite a bit of attention as their first release, so you can see it to be the strongest contender for opening track. You’re still sailing in those surreal clouds that they construct, and we’re off to synthwave land. Seamlessly, they continue to The Silver Cord, with a plethora of effects raining down on you like glitter glue drops. There are cinematic parts that seem stretched, a bit monotonous, but that’s what you get in a concept album I guess. Certain sound effects on the vocals really annoyed me, but whatever floats your boat, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. KGLW might have to bear the brunt of these expenses, probably.
Dance in a daze with Set
The catchiest dance track might be Set, which is a remnant of the 90s disco scene. It is a fun song to listen to, probably my favourite because I’m able to figure out what the hell is going on as a listener. I can see this quickly climb the mainstream, and become the rager for your shady neighbourhood nightclubs theme song. To Gizzheads (which has to be an unfortunate naming scheme for someone who isn’t familiar with the band), they must be in a state of ecstasy. The band delves into house music territory with Chang’e, this is where things get weird, I think. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are especially known for their impressive control on live instruments, and they just aren’t able to recreate some of their magic with these presets. It is a cool attempt, sure, but isn’t really sticking with their sudden offshoots that take you to several different sized rabbit holes.
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One of the greatest experimental bands ever?
Electronica galore with Gilgamesh, lead elements enjoy their stand on the stage. In 15 years, the psych-experimental outfit has released 25 albums, sometimes 3 in a year. It is clear that they are endlessly creative, and have at least some skin of the Midas touch. Listen to the first 3 songs together, and you have something to enjoy. If you’re looking at electronica and their approach to it, however, you can do everything to just stay in awe. Watch out for their next 10 albums releasing in the next few weeks, if it is up to them.
Swan Song and Extinction are quite alright, but Disc 2 is where you get to see the band go all out. The longer jams have some memorable transitions and moments that almost expounds on their process. For a genre that is computer centric for sound output, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have extracted the living shit out of the songs they have composed. Disc 2 has to be seen more of a ”look ma, look what all this button can do” moment, rather than a making of.
Bad boys, bad boys, what you gonna do?
So what’s the final verdict after all these thoughts? Honestly, I don’t know. It is quite difficult to review a band if you can’t compare current work with their past work. It seems like comparing a unicorn to beans used to make high quality cocoa. All we know is that consuming both will make you crap rainbows. An honest rating for this would be 4 planets out of 7 black holes. Loyal Gizzheads, please approach the table, feast on this delight.
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If you’re a “purist” who has just heard about King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard from this review, I’m sorry. It is undoubtedly the name that draws people here, and then the music, forever. Feel free to explore all their albums in the next 4 years and tell me your verdict. You’ll remain as shocked as we all were 4 albums in.
Listen to their electronica masterpiece here:
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Self professed metalhead, moderately well read. If the music has soul, it's whole to me. The fact that my bio could have ended on a rhyme and doesn't should tell you a lot about my personality.
