certainly if this self-titled album is typical of the Terrible Lizard ethos then the ensuing ride will be an easy but enjoyable one!
Play 90 second soundbite of 'Walk On By' @ 'CD quality'
certainly if this self-titled album is typical of the Terrible Lizard ethos then the ensuing ride will be an easy but enjoyable one!
Terrible Lizard comprise Chili, Ryan and The Kid and the three haven't just come together by chance or fate, they've selectively evolved, they've clearly grown together to become one really smooth musical entity with a penchant for mildly rockin' pop. Terrible Lizard don't sound at all unfamiliar, they're not wildly diverse and they're not massively unique - Terrible Lizard sound unfamiliarly familiar, they sound like a long lost friend come back to visit and talk about shared things, they sound like everyday guys playing everyday music. But, that everyday music has its own place in our hearts cuz it doesn't take much effort to drink it in and become intoxicated by its inherent addictive qualities. You see, Terrible Lizard write and play cleverly tantalising music that has a latent 'timelessness' about it - it doesn't push too hard at the envelope, it doesn't jangle the nerves too much and it doesn't take too much effort to listen to and enjoy in all its simplicity and very likeable, charming rockin' way. Terrible Lizard take the stress out of the form and play it pure and simple, real and easy - there are no shocks, there are no pitfalls, there are just loads of ezy on the ear rockin' riffs, masses of nicely unchallenging melodies and tons of effortlessly poptastic nuances. All-in-all, Terrible Lizard give the listener a blissfully laid-back ride but a ride that's nonetheless riveting for all of its simplicity. Whether the guys are gently rockin' with fx enhanced axes or maintaining beautiful lilting equilibrium with jangly guitars and super-sensual keyboards, the end result is one and the same - a great and very comfortable ride, destination - unknown, time of arrival - uncertain, return date - sometime very soon!!
As musicians, the Terrible Lizards, individually and collectively, are right up there with the best of 'em. Their songs are refreshingly instrumentally frugal; nothing's over-cooked, over-produced or over-embellished. There's a hint of youthful Lou Reed-ness in the way the vocals are delivered which beautifully suits the slick but uncluttered instrumental backdrop. And, some of the guitar work could be straight from the Neil Young handbook of catchy but motivational guitar playing! It all sounds so wonderfully easy and unintimidating. 'Terrible Lizard' by the band of the same name is a nowadays seldomly-found simplistically honest pop-rocker that has great pulling power and shows great potential; it needs a few listens to really get into the Terrible Lizard way of doing things but once they've got you in they don't let go easily! Strangely compelling stuff this - hard to put a finger on why it's so enthralling but just as difficult to deny it's electric magnetism and teasingly tantalising effect.
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