What makes The Lounge Lizards by The Lounge Lizards notable?

This album is significant for its role in the downtown New York jazz scene of the early 1980s, influencing a wave of musicians who blended genres. It received critical acclaim for its bold experimentation, setting the stage for the band's subsequent works and contributing to the rise of 'downtown' jazz aesthetics. The Lounge Lizards marked the debut album for the band in 1981, showcasing their unique sound integrating jazz with avant-garde influences. At this point in their career, they were establishing themselves within the New York City music scene, gaining recognition for their innovative approach to jazz.

How many songs are on The Lounge Lizards?

The Lounge Lizards has 13 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

The Lounge Lizards

The Lounge Lizards · 1981

40 min · 13 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of jazz and punk energy, merging improvisation with a theatrical flair that defies conventional genre boundaries.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Incident on South Street — Opening the album with an energetic mix of rhythmic complexity and spontaneous improvisation, this track establishes the Lounge Lizards' signature style. Its dynamic interplay between musicians sets a compelling tone for the rest of the record.
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Harlem Nocturne — A reinterpretation of the classic piece, it showcases the band’s ability to infuse traditional jazz with a contemporary twist, demonstrating both technical skill and emotional depth.
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Do the Wrong Thing — This track exemplifies the band's playful yet sophisticated approach, blending humor with intricate arrangements that challenge conventional jazz forms.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong improvisation and unique genre blending, making it distinct yet cohesive in its experimental approach.

What we noticed

Several tracks feature extended improvisational sections, allowing the musicians to explore themes rather than adhering strictly to written arrangements.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Incident on South Street 3:27
2 Harlem Nocturne 2:08
3 Do the Wrong Thing 2:45
4 Au Contraire Arto 3:30
5 Well You Needn’t 1:57
6 Ballad 3:30
7 Wangling 3:05
8 Conquest of Rar 3:21
9 Demented 2:05
10 I Remember Coney Island 3:35
11 Fatty Walks 3:00
12 Epistrophy 4:21
13 You Haunt Me 3:45

What to play next

Listen next

No Pain for Cakes

1987

Full The Lounge Lizards discography Artists like The Lounge Lizards

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata