Written Before Listen
If you don’t know, King Gizzard & The Lizard is an Australian band that isn’t afraid to switch up their style. I have already covered the major details about them and this trilogy on my previous two reviews on the band. To keep it short and simple, I loved part one of this trilogy. I liked its ambitious venture into microtonality while experimenting with genres and mythological lyrics. The second one was good too but I think it was missing the key elements of part one that made it so enjoyable. Knowing that, I am expecting more of the same on this record that I got from KG. Not only because it’s the second self titled release in the trilogy but also released only 3 months after part 2. With that being said, I hope to be satisfied with this listen.
Influences
Just like KG, this record occasionally digs into the bands influences. But it’s a little more eclectic or maybe not even influences and just songs that remind me of someone/something else. For example, “If Not Now Then When” doesnt sound like any artist in particular but sounds like something you’d find in psych section in a record store for 4 dollars. “O.N.E” has this spacy and electric based instrumentation that reminds me of something that Spiritualized would do. “East West Link” is kind of like a mixture of Frank Zappa and Grateful Dead and of course the final track has obvious Sabbath worship. Just like the last track on KG. As you can see, the influences are all over the place.
Lyrics
King Gizzard’s lyrical themes are similar to KG but with songs like “Pleura” and “Ataraxia”, it returns to the mythical creatures and mind state topics on Flying Microtonal Banana. One lyrical topic we should really focus on is the topic discussed on “Supreme Ascendancy”. It’s all about the sexual abuse allegations targeted toward the church in the 90s. It’s a very different topic from MacKenzie and I truly appreciate the wide arranged topics discussed on this album.
Genre-Bending
The Genre bending is still prevalent in this album. Of course we have the elements of Psych and Prog that were prevalent on KG but just like the other two, there are very unique expiramentations and luckily there is no “Intrasport” on this album. “If Not Now Then When” is King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s attempt at a Psychedelic Pop/Funk track. There is also the Animal Collective-esc intro of “O.N.E” and this is the same record that includes “K.G.L.W” which is a full on Stoner Doom track.
Similarities & Differences Between LW & KG
If I would compare this album’s similarities and differences to Flying Microtonal Banana, it would be like shooting a dead horse. Everything I would say would have already been said on my KG review. It doesnt mean it’s completely similar to KG. Personally I think the folk elements are a lot more prevalent on KG. Overall, I think it’s what KG is but missing a little bit. I think the desert vibes are kind of non-existent with the exception of a few tracks. Instead, LW is a little more heavy. A little more dense. It’s easily the heaviest record out of the three.
Cons
I do come out with this album in a similar fashion to KG. I think songs like “East West Link” can come off kind of preachy. I also think “See Me” comes off as kind of devoid of anything new. Other than that, the same things I could say about KG, I could say about LW. I just think it’s nowhere near as good as Flying Microtonal Banana and the microtonality approaches are a little forced.
Verdict
Overall, just like KG, there are some highs and some lows. I’m kind of indifferent about this record but If I truly had to form a verdict, it would come off positive.
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