So, you want to start listening to King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, but you’re not too sure where to start. Well, brave soul, that’s what this starter guide is for.
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard is an Australian band who have released 26 albums since they first came onto the scene in 2012. That’s right, 26 albums over the course of 13 years—with five of those albums being released in a single year and one on the way. Additionally, the albums span across multiple genres, so if you’re not in the mood for one of their albums, chances are you might be in the mood for one of the many others. Their discography is so wide that even Nicole Kidman—yes, that Nicole Kidman—is a fan.
As much as I love going through the King Gizzard subreddit, sometimes it can leave you asking more questions than you started with. There is a lot of lore behind each album and even the Gizzverse—something I won’t be diving into in this starter guide. So, let’s start nice and easy.
The first question you might be asking yourself is: which King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard albums should I start with? I’ve got you covered. As a long-time listener, I’d suggest the following albums, in no particular order, for anyone dipping their toes into the band’s discography for the first time:
- I’m in Your Mind Fuzz (2014)
- Quarters! (2015)
- Infest the Rats’ Nest (2019)
- Nonagon Infinity (2016)
- Flying Microtonal Banana (2017)
- Murder of the Universe (2017)
- Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms, And Lava (2022)
- PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation (2023)
I’m In Your Mind Fuzz
Starting off this guide is the 2014 album, I’m in Your Mind Fuzz. This is the album where King Gizzard concentrated their efforts into making their own unique sound within the psychedelic rock genre. This album in particular starts off with a more upbeat tempo, before transitioning to a slower one—other albums after I’m in Your Mind Fuzz follow this format by beginning in one sound then changing to another midway through. Must listen songs off of this album include “I’m in Your Mind Fuzz,” “Cellophane,” and “Her and I (Slow Jam 2).”
Quarters!
Next on the list is 2015’s, Quarters! This album only features four songs, each clocking in at around 10 minutes and 10 seconds. Their signature psychedelic rock sound is mixed with jazz to make a fascinating combination that makes you want to dance around to it, instead of moshing. It’s a nice middleground for fans. If you don’t have 40 minutes to spend listening to the album and can only listen to one, I suggest “The River.”
Infest the Rats’ Nest
In 2019, King Gizzard gave us Infest the Rats’ Nest. This is the concept album, in my opinion, and possibly my favorite album by them altogether. The first half of the is set in a future with an ecological disaster, similar to where our current planet is headed, while the second half of the album is about a group of rebels who, after being forced to leave the planet, attempt to settle on Venus. In all of their discography, this is one of King Gizzards heaviest albums, both in its message and sound. “Planet B,” “Organ Farmer,” and “Self-Immolate” are the songs to listen for off this album.
Nonagon Infinity
It might be bold of me to say, but 2016’s Nonagon Infinity album is probably the album that made King Gizzard popular. This is a high energy, balls to the wall album that doesn’t mess around. The band takes their time exploring time differences and odd signatures while also crafting it in a way that allows the listener to loop around and back again on repeat. If I’m being honest, this is one of the best albums I’ve ever listened to. Songs you absolutely need to listen to off of this album include “Robot Stop,” Mr. Beat,” and “Road Train.”
Flying Microtonal Banana
2017 was a huge year for King Gizzard, releasing five studio albums like it was nothing. Of those five albums, Flying Microtonal Banana is the first. As you might have guessed by the title, this is a microtonal album. It’s an interesting shift from their usual sound and, while it may not be quite as perfect as some people would like, King Gizzard manage to experiment with genre in a way so few are able to. It’s an exercise in evolution for the band. Must-listen to songs on this album include “Rattlesnake, “Billabong Valley,” and “Nuclear Fusion.”
Murder of the Universe
Murder of the Universe is another 2017 album from King Gizzard and technically their tenth studio album. Not only is this their second narrated album, but it’s another science fiction concept album that is broken down into three separate parts. Now, I know that sounds like a lot to take in—and, if we’re being honest, it is a lot to understand for a starter guide—but, this is a must-listen to album for beginning listeners. It shows the best of the best when it comes to King Gizzard. “A New World,” “Life / Death,” and “Murder of the Universe” are songs to listen for.
Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms, and Lava
Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms, And Lava is the third of five King Gizzard albums released in 2022. Each song on the album is based off one of the seven modes of the major scale — Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian. For keen eyed fans, the first letter of each mode corresponds to the first letter of each word in the album title. The vibe for this album is very jazzy and slow, like you’re taking the slow route on an acid trip. Songs to listen to on this album are “Ice V,” “Magma,” and “Iron Lung.”
PetroDragonic Apocalypse
Last, but certainly not least, is 2023’s PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation. I’m sure some fans will disagree with me on this one, but PetroDragonic Apocalypse is a return to King Gizzard’s heavier, more metal-sounding aesthetic, which, in turn, makes it a great album to start with. It is another concept album that revolves around what happens when we don’t care for the Earth and let environmental ruin take over. Songs such as “Motor Spirit,” “Gila Monster,” and “Dawn of Eternal Night” showcase their ability to consistently return to the genre.
Next steps: Fishing for Fishies
Honorable mention goes to their 2019 album, Fishing for Fishies. It’s one of the more accessible albums by King Gizzard, with an important message about the environment — a running theme throughout their discography. Fishing for Fishies starts off as more folky boogie rock than anything else, then transitions to electronic near the end. While the overall message and genres explored in the album would be great for beginner listeners, I believe this is more supplemental study material than an album to start with.
Getting into King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard can be, at best, intimidating. With so many albums under their belt, it can seem like there is no easy entry point for new listeners. Additionally, the connections between their concept albums might be a bit murky. But, hopefully, this starter guide will help you out when their next album comes out and when their next album comes out and when their next album comes out and well, you get the picture.
Made up of feminism, sports, and cheap wine.
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