King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - “K.G.” Review
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard released their 21st album of funkiness on Friday. The band has taken Middle Eastern sound and mashed it with rock music, which is quite a sound not many have heard before.
KGLW is an Australian band that has been constantly making music since 2010. There is no such thing as “staying in the box” for the group. Each new record they release is something different and listeners will never know what their next sound is going to be. They keep 70s rock alive.
To clarify, the name of the album “K.G.” is short for “King Gizzard.” Maybe the next album will be “L.W.” for “Lizard Wizard.”
The first thing people will notice from listening to this album is how well it flows together.
“K.G.” is an album that must be listened to as a whole. Many artists that do this, sometimes, have a hard time making every song unique and different from one another. However, KGLW ensured each song is distinct. Many of the same instruments are used, but they are used in idiosyncratic ways — interesting instruments used throughout are the flute and sitar.
The song “Intrasport” takes disco, Middle Eastern music and rock music for one weird ride. It goes back and forth throughout those genres mentioned and makes one epic song.
“Ontology,” “Honey” and “Some Of Us” are more Middle Eastern than the others. “Automation,” “Straws In The Wind” and “The Hungry Wolf Of Fate” are very rock.
Just like the music, the lyrics are distinct from other progressive rock artists. Singers nowadays are usually talking about their relationships, money or power. KGLW is talking about historical remembrance and how many people are forgotten but some will be remembered eternally.
On the song “Minimum Brain Size,” the band talks about selfish people who only think about themselves. Lyrics like this are very graphic and forward; “Re-enter the uterus/And refund all your cells.”
It is uncertain what the lyrical theme of this album is, though, since it is all over the place with the topics discussed.
The beauty of music is that everyone interprets it in their own way. Some might like this new combination of genres and spooky nature it has. The album is so beyond strange.
People who are really into progressive, psychedelic rock will probably like it. For people who have never heard of this genre before will not like it. Again, it is all up to the listener to decide what they do and do not like.
Overall, this album is something not many have heard before. It’s not terrible — just different and something new for the ear. Many people should try to be more open with what they listen to. They might end up finding something they might really like.
Rating: 7/10
Reviewer’s Favorite Songs: “Intrasport” and “Ontology”
Reviewer's Least Favorite Song: “K.G.L.W” and “Automation”
Emily McGlynn is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email esm5378@psu.edu.
