Jesus Lizard started up in the early 90's and have released seven albums. I am not a Jesus Lizard expert, I only own this album and there so called best album "Goat." Out of the two I can't really choose a favorite. The albums a similar for the most part but "Goat" is more hard-core and rough. The Jesus Lizard are a good band to listen to if you enjoy punk and hard rock mixed in with some influences of grunge. If you add in David Yows psychotic and paranoid vocals you get some extremely intense and aggressive music.
"Liar" was released in 1992, right in the middle of the grunge era so there are some evident grunge influences.This album is psycho, heavy, rough, energetic, aggressive, and paranoid. Raging guitars, heavy drum beats and basslines construct what this album sounds like. "Boilermaker", "Gladiator", and "Puss" are a perfect example of what a Jesus Lizard song sound like. These songs are wild, insane, raw and they will get you pumped up. There is really nothing catchy about these songs at first, you will have to give this album some time to grow on you. The guitar lines are heavy and distorted. The rythm section powered by the drums are pounding and extremely heavy. Through the insane, heavy tracks Jesus Lizard manage to slow down the pace on a couple tracks and still keep things interesting. "Zacharia" is a very well done haunting folk influenced tune. "Whirl" is another slower track that features some wonderful guitar work. Basically Jesus Lizard is an insane rock band that hardly ever slows down the pace, but when they do they are still successful. Heavy riffs, guitar lines and drum beats, this album is hardrock at its best. I am not a fan of metal or even hardcore music, but I love this album just because the raw sound makes it feel like Jesus Lizard is playing right in front of you. This album is in your face, hardcore, rough, raw, and aggressive.
The lead singer, David Yow is what makes this album come together. Without him Jesus Lizard would be useless. Through his shrieks, wailing, and hardcore yelling he gets the job done. This man sounds like a psycho on meth. He never slows down and he is always grunting and wailing into the microphone. He sounds paranoid, and agressive. Yow's vocals are muffled under the heavy riffs and basslines, he is very hard to understand. Yow kind of sounds possessed in some of these songs, his screaching and moaning fits well with the heaviness of the music, but can sometimes wear tiresome. Even though his vocals are hard to understand I still enjoy them because they really pump you up. Yow makes this music even more psycho by adding his fast, crazy, muffled voice.
That basically sums up the whole album. Crazy, raw, harsh, and in your face. Once again I do not like hardcore music but this works because it feels so real and Jesus Lizard never slow down the pace. There are few exceptions like the shoegaze influenced "Whirl" and western-eqsue"Zacharia." I find myself listening to this album quite a bit because it just never gets old. "Liar" is always effective if you're pissed off and you need to get pumped up. The sound of this album makes you feel like you're in a huge boxing match with Evander Holyfield, it gets you pumped up and want to fight someone. Even if your getting your beat up you still want to keep going. "Liar" is a compelling little gem and although it is quite short in length it packs a big punch.
Overall Rating : 3.5/5
Pros : Pumps you up // Guitar work // Insane vocals // replay value
Cons : Vocals can get tiresome // Not effective if you need some softer music
Recommended Tracks :
"Gladiator" "Puss" "Zacharia"
