Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By The Lazy Eyes, Independent 2022.
The Lazy Eyes are a young rock band from Sydney and I just love their debut album, Songbook.
I haven’t heard anything from them before this album but some research has informed me that they have already released two EPs, one in 2020 and the other the following year.
If you’re a fan, like me, of ‘60s psychedelic rock and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard then you’re sure to love this band.
The first notable thing about The Lazy eyes is their musicianship.
They are all talented players and they’re not afraid to engage in protracted jams.
The closing track on the album, Cheesy Love Song, runs for some five plus minutes and The Seaside comes in at more than six minutes.
Tangerine is a full-on experimental jam with fuzzy guitar, treated vocals, impressive pounding drumming and great bass while the lead single Fuzzy Jam takes all the above and shifts it up a gear.
There are hints of Rubber Soul/Revolver Beatles in the song structures and the dreaminess and playfulness of the lyrics.
A general feeling of the exuberance of that era pervades the album.
The Lazy Eyes can ensnare you in their psychedelic visions, get the heart racing with the energy of tracks like Where’s My Brain, mellow out with Hippo, and surprise with fade outs followed by violet returns, time shifts and the occasional delightful harmonies.
They can do it all.
But they are creating something new, not aping a bygone era.
Sometimes you get the feeling that they’re just showing off but what really is on display here is a band fully engaged in what they are doing and, above all, having fun.
The album cover artwork sums it all up.
It’s bright, airy, and sunny music that’s a great antidote for gloomy times.
