POLYGONDWANALAND

It's pretty crazy that this album has had 344 versions of it released to the public. 344! This was released in 2017 and the other four records they released that year have 19-25 versions of them. You can see this on Discogs and yes I scrolled through them thinking this must be a mistake. A very popular album and maybe their most favoured recording by the masses although 2016's "Nonagon Infinity" certainly rivals it on this site and on the RYM site where it is their highest rated followed by "I'm In Your Mind Fuzz" then this record and "Flying Microtonal Banana" which is still my favourite.

I feel the band really discovered something when they went to microtonal instruments. Not that this is new or anything but man they have perfected it. The abundance of crisp beats, twangs, pulses bouncing all over the place is pretty cool. On this record I really commend the band for the contrasts where we get all these things going on with urgent sometimes robotic vocals then they'll switch to a softer and warmer sound including the vocals that is just so uplifting.

"Polygondwanaland" is the first KING GIZZARD album that actually grew on me which is good because after two spins I'm scratching my head as to why everyone likes this thing. Yes this is their most proggy record and it took some time. There are two absolute classic GIZZARD tracks on here in "Crumbling Castle" and "Inner Cell". The first is 10 1/2 minutes long with repeated themes and so catchy. Funny how I hear a hint of Steven Wilson's voice on "Inner Cell". Such a relaxed start then the serious vocals join in. There's one of those uplifting moments before 1 1/2 minutes as the chorus arrives. So good!

The title track is another favourite as beats, guitar and bass do their thing in atmosphere before these robotic vocals arrive. This is contrasted with softer vocals then the chorus where it picks up a little. A cool tune with mellotron too. "The Castle In The Air" is another catchy piece with some guest spoken female words early on being replaced by male vocals as it all intensifies. More of the same on "Deserted Dunes Welcome Weary Feet" and mellotron too. Just a killer piece with interesting vocal arrangements. Love this band! Man the final five songs kill and take this to 5 star territory. Take your pick? They are all great "Loyalty", "Horology", Tetrachromancy", "Searching..." and "The Fourth Colour". I adore the electronics to open "Loyalty", just sayin'.

There is a story here as one of the drummers Eric Moore did not play on it but is credited with "managment" on tracks 1-10. Hmmm. So right now I have "Flying Microtonal Banana", "Polygondwanaland", "I'm In Your Mind Fuzz" and "Nonagon Infinity" as my top four KING GIZZARD albums in that order and I need that fifth one which I know will happen.