Not much can be said by yours-truly in regards to the legacy that The Jesus Lizard left behind that hasn’t already been stated by others not only more eloquently but probably a whole lot better as well. That being said, I did want to add a few words in the form of nostalgia as yesterday finally saw the release of the band’s entire Touch & Go catalog from the early 90s with each album, Pure (1989), Head (1990), Goat (1991), Liar (1992) and Down (1994), getting the remaster treatment as well as an upscale makeover by way of linear notes, recollections, photos, etc.I got to The Jesus Lizard just a bit too late as the twilight of their career was beginning with the release of their major label debut, Shot (1996); the first step in the band’s ill-fated relationship with Capitol Records. However, I’d previously heard that it was the time associated with Touch & Go Records of which the band were most notoriously known, both musically and as a live act. As part of a stockpile of cassette tapes bought during the summer of 1997 previously related here, both Goat and Down became big staples of my collection only because they, like the rest of the band’s Touch & Go material, continue to reveal new aspects of the music with each and every listen all these years later.
This was a terrific band who, despite incorporating the seeds planted decades earlier by the likes of The Sonics, Led Zeppelin and the Stooges into their style, developed a unique sound that can only be described as their own. They almost seem to have been one of those groups where not only did you know that you were hearing something really special but that you’d probably never hear another group like them ever again. The musicianship on these records is both top-notch and devastatingly original while David Yow still remains one of the pinnacles of all-time greatest front-men ever.
Picking a track is next to impossible, especially since these remastered versions sound so delicious to one’s ears but this one has always been a favorite. I kid you not: any rock fan should do themselves a favor and add these albums to their collection, especially Goat, Liar and Down. These are records that I’ll always adore.
The Jesus Lizard – “Monkey Trick” (mp3)
(from the Touch & Go LP, Goat, 2009 reissue)
2 comments:
I'm curious to know why you describe our relationship with Capitol as "ill-fated." I remember our time on Capitol as incredibly fun and rewarding. Stop drinking the Kool-Aid, Bill.
Led Zeppelin and the Stooges, definitely. Sonics, no.
Best regards,
David Wm. Sims
I suppose I’m referring to a Sound Opinions Broadcast (July ’06 perhaps) from which David Yow reminisced over the experience as about what he expected and that, by way of explaining to someone at Capital during that time, that neither party was going to be happy and that it wouldn’t lead to anymore records being sold.
Perhaps ill-fated wasn’t necessarily the right description but I suppose I didn’t take “fun & rewarding” from Mr. Yow's comments. Unless your experience was different in which case I misspoke hence my pardons.
Thanks for all the kick-ass music.
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