Demos Vol. 1 + Vol. 2
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard · 2020
91 min · 28 tracks · psychedelic rock
A raw, experimental collection of demos blending garage rock grit with psychedelic whimsy across diverse styles and tempos.
Top tracks — play these first
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Evil Death Roll (demo) — This track captures the chaotic energy that defines King Gizzard's style, showcasing their signature blend of frenetic guitar riffs and rhythmic experimentation. The demo's rawness highlights the band's ability to create tension and release through dynamic shifts.
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Planet B (demo) — This version of Planet B emphasizes its underlying environmental themes with a more stripped-back arrangement, allowing listeners to focus on the lyrical content and urgency of the message. The demo captures a sense of immediacy that resonates with contemporary climate discourse.
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Fishing for Fishies (demo) — The demo presents a playful yet poignant take on the song's themes of ecological preservation, featuring a catchy melody juxtaposed with social commentary. Its infectious groove showcases the band's knack for fusing fun with substance.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases raw songwriting and diverse styles but lacks the polish and cohesion of their studio work.
What we noticed
- The album features a wide range of tempos, with tracks alternating between frenetic energy and slower, more contemplative moments.
- Several tracks include raw vocal takes and unpolished instrumentation, highlighting the experimental nature of the demos.
- Many songs are significantly shorter than typical studio versions, often clocking in under two minutes, which contributes to a sense of spontaneity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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5/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- playful experimentation and spontaneity
- wave-like pacing with surprises
- short bursts of creativity
- dynamic collection for curious listeners
- for casual exploration
Maybe skip if you
- seeking tightly structured songs
- prefer polished, finished tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Presents a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the band's songwriting process, diverging from polished studio sound.
- Career context
- By the time King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard released Demos Vol. 1 + Vol. 2 in September 2020, they were already a prolific force in the music scene, having released five studio albums in just three years. This compilation followed their ambitious double album, K.G., showcasing the band’s creative process and willingness to experiment with their sound beyond polished releases.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ty Segall· Pond· Tame Impala
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Music to Kill Bad People To 4:19
- 2 Evil Death Roll (demo) 4:32
- 3 Dirt (demo) 3:16
- 4 BIT BIT BIT BIT BIT BIT BIT 2:11
- 5 Sketches of Brunswick East (demo) 4:30
- 6 Demo No. 79 2:07
- 7 Planet B (demo) 3:57
- 8 The Bird Song (demo) 3:15
- 9 Muddy Water (demo) 2:01
- 10 Mars for the Rich (demo) 2:04
- 11 Footy Footy (demo) 1:38
- 12 Stevie Ray Horn 3:19
- 13 Automation (demo) 2:56
- 14 Fishing for Fishies (demo) 4:23
Disc 2
- 1 Music to Eat Bananas To 3:13
- 2 The Spider and Me (demo) 2:43
- 3 Most of What I Like (demo) 4:05
- 4 9 TET 2:17
- 5 Demo No. 67 2:15
- 6 Danger $$$ (demo) 1:35
- 7 Horology (demo) 1:36
- 8 Honey (demo) 4:27
- 9 The 10th Boogie 3:59
- 10 Let It Bleed (demo) 2:37
- 11 Tezeta (demo) 2:14
- 12 Scared of Christmas 2:12
- 13 Sleepwalker (demo) 2:40
- 14 Straws in the Wind (demo) 11:21
What to play next
Butterfly 3000
2021
Continues the experimental vibe with a more polished sound and diverse textures.
Fishing for Fishies
2019
Precedes Demos with a mix of garage rock and psychedelic elements, setting the stage.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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