King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are a very prolific group. Their latest Flying Microtonal Banana is going to be the first in a series of 4 to 5 albums released this year. Flying Microtonal Banana-if you couldn’t already tell-is the group experimenting with specially built and tuned microtonal instruments, particularly the 24-TET tuning. What’s the result?
While it doesn’t push boundaries, it’s King Gizz’s grooviest albums yet. “Rattlesnake” is a near 8 minute exercise in groove repetition-it really helps that the hook is catchy. “Open Water” hit’s a menacing gallop that’s quite effective. “Sleep Drifter” gives a good Hindi, GOAT vibe with the burning desert sun riff and bongo drums. “Doom City” goes from crunchy swamp psych to an up tempo, urgent escape. “Nuclear Fusion” takes the cake as one of my favorite songs on the album. Not only is it mesmerizing and sexy but, it also has guitarist Joe Walker’s using a technique called Gregorian throat singing.
King Gizzard has always been adventurous and Flying Microtonal Banana is Gizz at their most-maybe even niche. If this is a glimpse into the future then I do enjoy it only because King Gizzard is one of the best things going not in just psych music but, music in general.
The band are also playing a residency this month at the The Night Cat in Fitzroy from 19 – 25 March before embarking on a North American tour. You can check out details and get tickets here.
Christopher Tahy
For more of Christopher Tahy’s music reviews, check out The Fire Note
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- K. G. (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard) – music review
- Infest the Rat’s Nest (King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard) – music review
- Babble (Baked Beans) – music review
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television