Since their formation in 2011, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard have released many albums and explored many styles while trying quite a few different concepts. They've delved into thrash metal, hip-hop, electronica, jazz, garage rock, and of course psychedelia, and they've made records based on microtonal tunings, records where they've restricted themselves to one chord, and records about the end of the world or tales of the dusty Outback. All of it has been interesting and some of it has been brilliant. Until now. On
Flight b741
, the band got back in touch with their classic rock roots -- think Steve Miller Band, the Stones, Faces -- and decided to make a record that was just about kicking back, rocking out, and having some serious fun. They do a few things they haven't done before, like sharing the vocals among all the bandmembers and relying heavily on backing vocal harmonies, but there are no left detours or distractions along the way to their most straight-forward and uncomplicated rock album yet. ~ Tim Sendra