So, you wish to begin listening to King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, however you’re not too positive the place to begin. Properly, courageous soul, that’s what this starter guide is for.

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard is an Australian band who’ve launched 26 albums since they first got here onto the scene in 2012. That’s proper, 26 albums over the course of 13 years—with 5 of these albums being launched in a single 12 months and one on the way in which. Moreover, the albums span throughout a number of genres, so in case you’re not within the temper for one among their albums, likelihood is you could be within the temper for one of many many others. Their discography is so extensive that even Nicole Kidman—sure, that Nicole Kidman—is a fan.

As a lot as I really like going by the King Gizzard subreddit, typically it may possibly depart you asking extra questions than you began with. There may be a variety of lore behind every album and even the Gizzverse—one thing I received’t be diving into on this starter guide. So, let’s begin good and straightforward.

The primary query you could be asking your self is: which King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard albums ought to I begin with? I’ve bought you coated. As an extended-time listener, I’d recommend the next albums, in no explicit order, for anybody dipping their toes into the band’s discography for the primary time:

I’m In Your Thoughts Fuzz

Beginning off this guide is the 2014 album, I’m in Your Thoughts Fuzz. That is the album the place King Gizzard concentrated their efforts into making their very own distinctive sound inside the psychedelic rock style. This album specifically begins off with a extra upbeat tempo, earlier than transitioning to a slower one—different albums after I’m in Your Thoughts Fuzz observe this format by starting in a single sound then altering to a different halfway by. Should hear songs off of this album embody “I’m in Your Thoughts Fuzz,” “Cellophane,” and “Her and I (Gradual Jam 2).”

Quarters!

Subsequent on the record is 2015’s, Quarters! This album solely options 4 songs, every clocking in at round 10 minutes and 10 seconds. Their signature psychedelic rock sound is combined with jazz to make an interesting mixture that makes you wish to dance round to it, as an alternative of moshing. It’s a pleasant middleground for followers. In the event you don’t have 40 minutes to spend listening to the album and may solely hear to at least one, I recommend “The River.”

Infest the Rats’ Nest

In 2019, King Gizzard gave us Infest the Rats’ Nest. That is the idea album, in my view, and probably my favourite album by them altogether. The primary half of the is about in a future with an ecological catastrophe, just like the place our present planet is headed, whereas the second half of the album is a few group of rebels who, after being compelled to go away the planet, try to decide on Venus. In all of their discography, that is one among King Gizzards heaviest albums, each in its message and sound. “Planet B,” “Organ Farmer,” and “Self-Immolate” are the songs to hear for off this album.

Nonagon Infinity

It could be daring of me to say, however 2016’s Nonagon Infinity album might be the album that made King Gizzard common. It is a excessive vitality, balls to the wall album that doesn’t fiddle. The band takes their time exploring time variations and odd signatures whereas additionally crafting it in a manner that permits the listener to loop round and again once more on repeat. If I’m being sincere, this is among the greatest albums I’ve ever listened to. Songs you completely must take heed to off of this album embody “Robotic Cease,” Mr. Beat,” and “Highway Prepare.”

Flying Microtonal Banana

2017 was an enormous 12 months for King Gizzard, releasing 5 studio albums prefer it was nothing. Of these 5 albums, Flying Microtonal Banana is the primary. As you might need guessed by the title, this can be a microtonal album. It’s an fascinating shift from their normal sound and, whereas it is probably not fairly as excellent as some folks would love, King Gizzard handle to experiment with style in a manner so few are capable of. It’s an train in evolution for the band. Should-take heed to songs on this album embody “Rattlesnake, “Billabong Valley,” and “Nuclear Fusion.”

Homicide of the Universe

Homicide of the Universe is one other 2017 album from King Gizzard and technically their tenth studio album. Not solely is that this their second narrated album, but it surely’s one other science fiction idea album that’s damaged down into three separate elements. Now, I do know that appears like rather a lot to soak up—and, if we’re being sincere, it is rather a lot to know for a starter guide—however, this can be a should-take heed to album for starting listeners. It reveals one of the best of one of the best on the subject of King Gizzard. “A New World,” “Life / Dying,” and “Homicide of the Universe” are songs to hear for.

Ice, Dying, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms, and Lava

Ice, Dying, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms, And Lava is the third of 5 King Gizzard albums launched in 2022. Every tune on the album is predicated off one of many seven modes of the key scale — Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian. For eager eyed followers, the primary letter of every mode corresponds to the primary letter of every phrase within the album title. The vibe for this album could be very jazzy and gradual, such as you’re taking the gradual route on an acid journey. Songs to take heed to on this album are “Ice V,” “Magma,” and “Iron Lung.”

PetroDragonic Apocalypse

Final, however actually not least, is 2023’s PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Daybreak of Everlasting Evening: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Starting of Cruel Damnation. I’m positive some followers will disagree with me on this one, however PetroDragonic Apocalypse is a return to King Gizzard’s heavier, extra steel-sounding aesthetic, which, in flip, makes it an amazing album to begin with. It’s one other idea album that revolves round what occurs once we don’t take care of the Earth and let environmental destroy take over. Songs akin to “Motor Spirit,” “Gila Monster,” and “Daybreak of Everlasting Evening” showcase their means to constantly return to the style.

Subsequent steps: Fishing for Fishies

Honorable point out goes to their 2019 album, Fishing for Fishies. It’s one of many extra accessible albums by King Gizzard, with an vital message concerning the setting — a working theme all through their discography. Fishing for Fishies begins off as extra folky boogie rock than the rest, then transitions to digital close to the tip. Whereas the general message and genres explored within the album can be nice for newbie listeners, I consider that is extra supplemental examine materials than an album to begin with.

Moving into King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard will be, at greatest, intimidating. With so many albums below their belt, it may possibly appear to be there is no such thing as a simple entry level for brand spanking new listeners. Moreover, the connections between their idea albums could be a bit murky. However, hopefully, this starter guide will assist you out when their subsequent album comes out and when their subsequent album comes out and when their subsequent album comes out and nicely, you get the image.