Released: 2017

Genres: Psychedelic Rock, Anatolian Rock, Krautrock, Garage Rock, Acid Rock

The Musiquarium’s Flying Microtonal Banana Review Score: 9 out of 10

Following their 2016 breakout album Nonagon Infinity (which was also the first time since 2012 where they only released one album), the Aussie rockers decided to up the ante, by promising to release five albums throughout 2017. The first of the five albums is Flying Microtonal Banana, which explores microtones, which were first hinted-at on Nonagon Infinity‘s opener, Robot Stop.

Rattlesnake and Open Water are two of the band’s best immersions into krautrock yet, with their repetitive, driving rhythms. Melting has a hypnotic riff that has the listener feeling like they too are melting. Billabong Valley is this album’s Ambrose Kenny-Smith co-write, with Anoxia being penned by Joey Walker; otherwise, every track is written by primary songwriter, Stu Mackenzie. The title track is an instrumental that fully embraces the microtones and eastern influence. Sleep Drifter, Doom City and Nuclear Fusion are all superb tracks as well.

Microtonal Flying Banana doesn’t quite top Nonagon Infinity as the band’s definitive album, but it’s definitely one of their best albums yet in their ever-growing catalogue.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard on Discogs.

Back to the 2017 Album Reviews Guide or the King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard