FLOAT ALONG - FILL YOUR LUNGS

Before I review "Polygondwanaland" I felt it was important to review this 2013 release for several reasons. I consider "Float Along-Fill Your Lungs" to be where the band got serious about what they were doing, this is where they grew up. A lot of firsts when it comes to this recording as well. The first studio album to be recorded after playing live gigs together and jamming a lot. They became a cohesive unit with chemistry. They decided to do a Psychedelic record and for the first time experimented with synths, sitar and odd time signatures. This is the first studio album with two drummers. As Stu says this album is a loose ball of vaguely associated tunes and it's Psychedelic!

While 2014's "I'm In Your Mind Fuzz" is what I consider to be their first great record, this contains their first great songs in the 16 minute sidelong opener "Head On/Pill". A track that wasn't planned to be this long, it just blew up while working on it. The closer and title track is incredible. It's the next longest at under 7 minutes and has a folky/psychedelic vibe to it. Just love how it makes me feel, it's so uplifting. Two GIZZARD tracks that are essential to any real fan in my opinion.

The make it or break it for most is the short five tracks in between those two beauties I just talked about. I'm not big on "I Am Not A Man Unless I Have A Woman" and "Help Me Mend The Past". Two poppy tunes with high pitched vocals. Yes catchy but just not my thing. The rest I like although the start of "God Is Calling Me Back Home" is rough but it gets better fast. "30 Past 7" opens with synths before drums and a cool sound join in including vocal melodies then vocals. I like this one a lot. Same with "Mystery Jack" my third favourite for it's 60's sound and how serious and urgent it is. Picturing the band at the mics heads bobbing. A really good tune. "Pop In My Step" is such a catchy tune. Love when it turns full before a minute. When it ends someone in the studio claps.

More like 3.5 stars but I have to round this one up. An important GIZZARD record right here and in my top half of those first 13 studio albums up to 2017.