Search - The Flying Lizards :: The Flying Lizards

The "devo" of england

dubhippy | a dying planet | 06/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"the flying lizards' first album remains one of the most timely records of the new wave era. their playful wacky style reminds me of early "art of noise" tracks before they started making mtv videos and became pretentious. while they are only remembered for their deadpan version of money with banjo accompanyment, there are many fun tracks on this disc. i really would like to hear the 3 bonus tracks too. other standout cuts include an electronic instrumental that would fit right in a fripp/eno record, the danceable funky "russia" the so bad it's funny opera "der song von mandelay" or the cheesy organ ballad "tv" that ends with the band playing "nose flutes".i can clearly hear this album's influence in solex's second album "pick up". if you like flying lizards, you might like her too. she kind of sounds like a cross between lizards and portishead if it was fronted by cyndi lauper. if amazon has an audio file, check her out. it's really a shame that they don't have files for this lizards' album as it is an essential new wave classic of the same caliber as early devo or talkingheads.i like the album so much, i've bought it THREE TIMES! really. i lost my first copy, wore out my second, and bought my third as an import at an auction for a clean copy and because of the full color inner sleeve.if you like silly experimental music that makes you tap your foot, you can't go wrong with flying lizards' 1st album and the two album on one cd "daft" by the art of noise. solex sounds a little more detached and serious, but her off kilter vocal rhythms and cutesy voice are infectious.i also have the flying lizards "secret dub life" which sounds nothing at all like "lizards it truly is a dub album. an instrumental dub album devoid of "lizards'" tongue in cheek playfulness. i've been looking everywhere for fourth wall, but it seems to have sold out a long time ago. i've heard that it's even better than "lizards". finally, they realeased another album i believe that was never recorded to cd whose name eludes me and i can't find my trouser press guide.flying lizards and daft are two of the best cds to listen to when you need a laugh, but they're so much fun to listen to, that it's easy to wear out their fun factor. play either cd for a friend... and you're likely to get the "you're crazy" look as most sheep... i mean people refuse to listen to any music... i mean corporate sludge that the radio doesn't cram down their throats 20 times a day. flying lizards is truly music for the adventerous!"

Flying Lizards ahead of their time - WOW!

brickabrac | Sydney, Australia | 10/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Imagine my eagerness to put the album I ordered from Amazon into my CD player. Only knowing a couple of classic hits such as Money and Tv from years ago,did not really know what to expectThe album blew me away...the female vocalist has a distinct voice, well spoken with a tongue in cheek attitude. Her enunciation only adds to the stark but alluring beat of the songs. Money is perhaps the most accessible of all the tracks but the other tracks that stand out are TV,the line "I knew you'd go far in my white convertible car..." just ouses class and a certain seductive tone the way the lead singer intonates those words. One very unique feature of the Flying Lizards is to make the mundane interesting just by the nasal very slow pronounciation. A very refreshing version of summertime blues, slowed right down to accentuate the boredom associated with "summertime blues". The interruption of US senator to announce there is nothing he can do if he can't get her vote is kind of out there but humerous. The amazing thing about this album is the variety of themes and sounds on it. One song appropriately called guitars is just that, a lot of guitar noise. Something only the 'Lizards would get away with doing. Contrast this with the next song which is plain eery, called The Window. References are made to vampires and like adding a darker side to the album. Following this is Tube, which is a very experimental song, light and cruisy in its intro then kind of blending into a mish mash of discordant sounds which somehow achieves a very funky sort of sound. The last song on the album is an extended version of Money - a brilliant one I might addAll I can say in wrapping up is this band were and still are extremely underrated. They have to be one of the most innovative, humour-laden (compliment) group around. I find the lead female singer's voice really adds to the eclectic nature of the music. Found myself playing the album over and over I liked it so much. As well as the great lyrics there are some really good breaks and riffs in the albumI would strongly recommend this album to anyone who is into experimental music, something a little off mainstreet. Also who likes original lyrics with a good solid beat"

A Forgotten Wonder

tashcrash | South Shore, MA | 10/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the New Wave acts that crashed the postpunk scene and were prematurely devoured by mid-80's pop mediocrity, the Flying Lizards' epoymous mini-opus has remained the dearest to my disillusioned heart. Finally, finally, finally, it's made its way onto cd, remastered and sounding almost TOO pristine (I do miss those vinyl pops!). Chock full of apathy, irony, and indescribable oddness, the album stands alone amongst its (mostly forgotten) peers as an example of just how far out there pop music can get and still be endlessly playable. Masterful in its own deliberately insignificant way."