I'M IN YOUR MIND FUZZ is the 5th album by king gizzard and the lizard wizard, released 2014. But is it good?
I'M IN YOUR MIND FUZZ kind of represents a breakthrough for king gizz, for me anyway. This is their first "essential" album, their first record that really displays what they're capable of. Despite FLOAT ALONG/FILL YOUR LUNGS having some good moments, this album is their first one that actively grabs hold of your attention for the runtime.
This is something the album does from it's opening moments, with the two twin tracks "i'm in your mind" and "i'm not in your mind", the band demonstrates a total capability for riff writing and vocal writing as well as the ability to maintain energy over multiple tracks, especially as third track "cellophane" melts into the fold. Stu's processed vocals singing about cellophane, with these effects laden guitars and driving drums hold the track together like glue, or cellophane perhaps more appropriately. The band knows when to go loud and quiet, but still urges the listener to turn the speakers up to 11. Title track "i'm in your mind fuzz" concludes this flowing quadrilogy, with parts of the track feeling like they're being melted down by acid as it draws to a close; with Stu's screamed "WOOOO"'s injecting energy at the right moment every time.
EMPTY opens with this jaunty riff and this jerky rhythm, the band's appreciation for psychedelia is on pretty full display here. Stu's vocals and writing are some of his best in the discography here, with this woozy solo in the last quarter only backing this up. Another awesome track.
HOT WATER is another annoying "they repeat the track name over and over again" king gizz song, as well as having pretty weak vocals elsewhere on the track. The instrumental feels kind of underdeveloped too, maybe besides the flute-y riff that's allowed to play out. It doesn't go on for too long thankfully, but it's just kind of a weirdly low energy track compared to the others here.
AM I IN HEAVEN is a highlight for sure. It opens with acoustic guitar and harmonica, but doesn't take long unpacking the furious drums and electric guitar, the track is utterly exhilirating. It has this real runaway train kind of vibe, if that makes sense. Stu's back with the WOOOOOOOW's again, and they're processed in this awesome way that makes them feel like they're about to fly off. The chorus has some nice group vocal work too, and despite the 7 minute runtime, it doesn't get boring. It even dips back to the acoustic palette half way thru, and then back again, the track just refuses to become boring, everytime the track could get boring, the band introduces a new riff or motif that just elevates it even more (maybe reflecting the heavenly themes with the constantly ascending energy?) and just ends up being awesome all the way thru.
SLOW JAM 1 has this instantly bluesy atmosphere that eventually melts into psychedelia with plenty of pedal effected guitars, but most importantly feels like a breather after the last track, with Stu even remaking "I need to slow my mind down"
Penultimate track SATAN SPEEDS UP opens with this instantly groovy and sticky riff that evokes some of their future work on records like NONAGON INFINITY. The vocal work sounds idyllic and far off, floating over layers of flanged guitars and drugged out drumming. The riff does get a little tiring as the track goes on, but the multitude of effects interact in different enough ways to keep it interesting.
Last track HER AND I (SLOW JAM 2) is another highlight, it's got probably my favourite writing on the whole album, sitting over these cosy sounding guitars with this slight blues tinge, before the wobbly psych guitars come back. Some people interpret the love song to be directed to mother nature, but I think it is just a sweet love song. Maybe i'm wrong. But the sonic landscape as this song evolves just matches perfectly to the steadfast lyrics, especially the hook that's accented with this cool vibrato'd guitar motif. The lyrics are just so sickly sweet, I don't think I could've asked for a better end to this record.
So did I like this record? yeh. Alot. But do I like it more than NONAGON INFINITY? Shit... That's hard to say. NI was my introduction to the band and (apart from Mr beat) It's an insanely solid record... I'm not sure. Both albums have 1 stinker, but NI has the whole cyclical looping thing going on. I'll think about it. But this album is still really, really good.
In hindsight it may have not been the best idea to review 3 albums from the same band in a row.... but oh well. Live and learn lol
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