Six friends strong: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard dedicate their new album “Flight b741” (p(doom)) to their shared journey. They explore their roots, deeply embedded in 70s American rock, and celebrate them. On their 26th album, they’re mostly just having a good time. Will we join them?
Last October’s “The Silver Cord” was all about electronic sounds, but now we find the Australians grounded and organic. Once again, it’s a thematically focused album, but this time it’s straight-up rock. Harmonica at the ready, blues coursing through their veins, and boogie making hips sway.
Everyone sings, everyone’s having fun. There are also tender moments, like on the beautiful “Sad Pilot,” where the band shows restraint and warmth. Otherwise, it’s the same trick throughout: no kitschy retro rock, just full-throttle fun.
And, of course, there’s the King Gizzard twist: the songs are expansive, often spilling into long jams. It’s a band that knows what they’re doing. Yet, despite their skill, there’s a lack of variety that keeps it from being a masterpiece. Still, it’s a great album to kickstart the weekend.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Flight b741: Good friends are hard to separate. – RIFL
