 | Tracklist:
1. Fly on the wall (3:06)
2. Mistletoe (1:53)
3. Countless backs of sad losers (3:00)
4. Queen for a day (2:26)
5. The associate (5:00)
6. Destroy before reading (3:13)
7. Low rider (3:36)
8. 50 cents (2:49)
9. American BB (2:18)
10. Horse (3:10)
11. Din (3:19)
12. Elegy (3:49)
13. The best parts (2:54)
Release Date: 1994 | |
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On 5 Lists
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| Summary: Solid, underrated album from the grunge years. |
3 of 3 thought this review was well written
Formed from the remains of popular Texan punk/noise rock band ‘Scratch Acid’, the Jesus Lizard were a band that combined some serious punk swagger with a love of experimentation and grungy aesthetics to become one of the better acts in the wave of alt rock bands that sprung up in the ‘90s. Down is one of their later albums, and is considered by many to be some of the last quality work the band would ever do.
It is a record that, true to form for the Jesus Lizard, sounds at times unconventional and varied, and at others down right schizophrenic. In some ways the Jesus Lizard were emblematic of the musical landscape of their time. They are, both in their influences and sound as pure a ‘90s band as you will ever come across. Every second of Down oozes ‘90s, with their brooding attitude, shambolic, fuzzed out riffs and their ambivalent and wacky approach to their music. Combine this with their punk history and you can clearly see how they were able to thrive in a popular music world dominated at the time by one angsty, complicated punk rocker from Aberdeen.
Down is a record that twists and turns from brooding and atmospheric passages to frenzied anarchy and back again so regularly that trying to keep up could almost induce motion sickness. Indeed, the Jesus Lizard often sound more like a collection of musicians playing their own tunes in the same room than a band recording together. During some of the more frenzied choruses on Down, one can easily imagine the band just having a jam where every couple of minutes they simply try to drown out everyone else’s instruments with their own. But, such is the way for the Jesus Lizard. This manic streak is a core aspect of their DNA and it is by no means a bad thing. It provides great contrast with their more atmospheric build ups and also sets them apart from many other acts that were springing up at the height of the grunge movement who’s dynamics were often just a carbon copy of the Pixie’s verse, massive chorus, verse routine. This craziness in their music and their attitude actually makes them quite a fun band to listen to.
Aside from this, their quieter moments are also worthy of mentioning. Down is littered with roomy bass grooves where the guitar intertwines over the top creating some great atmosphere, before eventually cascading into the massive, hyperactive choruses that define the Jesus Lizard’s sound. Album opener Fly On The Wall is a great example of this with a brilliant bass groove to kick the album off before the rest of the band lends their contributions to the ensuing slab of manic rock. Down, in a sentence is a sludgy, atmospheric, fuzzed out, heavy punk/grunge album. It borrows a little Fugazi style atmosphere here and a touch of Buzz Osborne attitude there, but it still stands on it’s own for originality.
It may not be the Jesus Lizard’s greatest work, but it is still a rewarding listen for fans of ‘90s alt rock and grunge bands. If, like myself, you see it sitting around cheap in a second hand store then consider buying it. It is a very worthy addition to any ‘90s grunge/punk/alt collection.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
I think this is the only Jesus Lizard I haven't heard. Good review. Gonna go jam Goat now.
Digging: Gorilla Biscuits - Start Today Digging: Gorilla Biscuits - Start Today
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need to check this band
Digging: Goldie - Timeless
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Get Goat or Liar first.
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what is a jesus lizard? an immortal lizard that can touch and heal and walk on water? ill have to check this out, it sounds for when im stoned
Digging: Death - Individual Thought Patterns
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decent review, about time this got one. dunno why you felt it necessary to place so much emphasis on linking them with what passed for 90s grunge, they didn't really overlap with any of that
Digging: Thinking Fellers Local 282 - Strangers From the Universe
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Yeah, but split with Nirvana = grunge, obvs :S
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oh shi
yea nirvana were at least closer in spirit to TJL than the other big grunge bands, i.e. they had balls
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Great review and thank you for reviewing something out of the norm around here.
Digging: Vaura - Selenelion Digging: Vaura - Selenelion
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I only ever heard Goat but I loved it
Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories
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^really?
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yeah...why do you ask?
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Cheers guys, I associate TJL with much of the other '90s alt rock stuff because I usually really dig anything even half decent from that time period. I admit the grunge connection is a bit loose but I guess it's more just an expression of my love for the period than anything else, maybe a bit of context for those who haven't heard of TJL
Digging: The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Aufheben Digging: The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Aufheben | | | Album Rating: 4
Jesus lizard is a common nickname for a basilisk, due to their ability to run on top of a water surface.
I'm just starting to explore some TJL. I have Goat and Liar and both are great. Definitely gonna delve further into these guys' catalogue.
Nice review too.
Digging: Latitudes - Agonist Digging: Latitudes - Agonist | | |
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