Customer Reviews

Lizard

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Many things in the music industry come to their listening audiences as sad spectacles, but few are sadder than a band that finds themselves endowed with the ability to make statements but without someone pushing their message. That was one of the problems Saigon Kick endured, even with this, their most prominent album that some people only know for because of the microcosm feelings endowed within "Love is on the Way." I've always been disappointed that Saigon Kick reigned supreme as one of veritable unknowns because of the talent screaming from within all of their albums, not to mention their ability to modify and grow with each release. From the depths of the two mentioned releases to Water and Devil in the Details, there was a production stamp carried within the works that was grand and that, hopefully, will one day make it into the minds of a listening public.

Continuing along the road that the band set began blazing down on their self-titled debut, Saigon Kick proved that they could craft a multi-headed beast once more, this time in the form of The Lizard. The Lizard was an impressive outing, too, because it had so many variables aplay within it that make the overall effect wondrous. The tempos of the songs ranged from the very heavy to the very endearing to an odd brand of rural murderousness. The lyrical harmonics played well within these wonderfully forged skins, producing a mesh of either angst and aggression, mentalities reflecting murder, love and endearment, or sociopolitical remarks that well remarked on the touch of the times. We have a beginning that introduces this musical odyssey in the forms of "Cruelty," leading it the anger blistering the track "Hostile Youth," and down into corridors that produce the illustriously mad "Peppermint Tribe," the rendition of doggy demise "My Dog," the entertaining arrays within the oddity called "The Lizard," the needs in the anger of "All Alright," the sheer beauty of the love within the depths of "All I Want," the murderousness in "Body Bags," and the strange flavors of almost country murder bliss in "Chanel." There are others here, too, making the album a blockbuster experience and well worth a taste.

For anyone not familiar with the band, I simply say that they have a little bit of everything to offer and would be worth at least looking into. Still, you have to realize that a little bit of everything does go into some rather dark places, and those places are one of the reasons I recommend this as a listening pleasure. In fact, I'd say buy all their releases and sort out what is/isn't a favorite later.

That life never rewards what you deserve is something well understood by the massively underrated band, Saigon Kick. Jason Bieler is one of the most talented and overlooked musician. While so many trash bands with little talent and lots of luck move up the industry, its horrible and sickening to watch Saigon Kick being dropped from the label after Water (another masterpeice). But thats how life is. In case you have come all the way till this page but are unaware of this genius band, you have done yourself a massive favor. Get everything this band ever released (4 albums) and if you love rock, metal and anything inbetween, there is a very high probability that you will love all the four albums.

I got this album back when it was released because of the airplay that the ballad, Love is on the way got. Its a perfect ballad but the album doesnt stop there. The genius just begins. A perinnial metalhead like me loved the album back then too for the tracks like Hostile Youth, Peppermint Tribe, God of 42nd Street, all classics. This album rocks hard. This is highy recommended for all fans of rock music, it will appeal to you if you like Deff Leppard or Megadeth. Saigon Kick is a unique band that can raise a mosh pit but always play songs that you could make your girl listen to. WOW!!! The predecessor, the eponymous debut is excellent and the successor Water is brilliant too, though the lead singer left the band after this album, the genius of Jason Bieler continued.

Its sad that the band hasnt released any albums in a while, but what they have released, I will always cherish and pass it across to my kids...

When I first heard of this band and saw their first video debut on MTV,I didn't think all that much of them.After a couple of months when I seemed to have heard more about them,Saigon Kick really peaked my interest.Best described as commercial hard rock,without being a bit wimpy.Great playing,catchy melodies and good indepth grooves to be found here,their second effort.Guitarist Jason Bieler produced the CD.Choice cuts are "Freedom","All Right","All I Want","Body Bags" and their two radio friendly gems "Peppermint Tribe" and "Love Is On The Way".I also liked the follow-up to this disc,'Water'(see my review).Worth hunting down a copy.

I recently was asked by a radio station in Pittsburgh to list the best hard rock cd's from 1985 to 1995. ( I guess someone around here values my opinion.) They were shocked and almost pissed that "The Lizard" ranked at #3 on the list. 1 and 2 were Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime and GNR's "Appetite For Destruction". The Lizard in my opinion just as good as Appetite, but just not as groundbreaking and infleuencial. A must own... One of the best ever. Heavy, chunky, competent and sometimes moving... it's just THAT good.

Saigon Kick's music on all their cd releases speak for themselves. I won't even take time to put in many words. These guys went (for the most part) unoticed outside of their ballad 'Love is on the Way." They give to you with passion, true muscianship, and with enough Metal riffs to keep you wanting more!

Buy all their cd's and make a true METAL JUDGMENT.

The LIZARD is an absolute masterpeace, and sadly over a LOT of folks' heads. All the brute heaviness you could ask for one minute with tunes like "hostile youth" and "Body bags", yet the melody and harmony of Dokken with "Love is on the way". Unfortunately, we live in a world(or country) where TRUE VERSATILITY is frowned apon and misunderstood, so bands like Saigon Kick suffer and usually die off. This was THE brilliant album by THE brilliant band...BAR NONE!! I'd also call Saigon the most unique and original sounding band of the era too. Get their first (self titled) disc too....you WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!

I first heard Saigon Kick in college. A friend had 'Water' on tape, and we used to play it on his walkman hooked to a thump-twice-and-pray-it-works amp. We went and bought 'The Lizard' a month later, and still swear by it.
The tracks on this album range from the radio-friendly 'All I Want' to the denizen-of-the-moshpit 'Body Bags'. There are tracks that seeth with fury (check Hostile Youth), and then there are tracks that you can play at home without the fear of your parents threatening to disown you.

It's sad to know the band hasn't received the acclaim that is rightfully theirs. Go ahead and buy your copy. Trust me, 'The Lizard' is worth the money you spend on it.

I live in Tampa FL where this band got its first major radio exposure and I had fallowed them since thier first album. When that one came out, I thought it was great. When this one came out, I thought it was even better! Their songs where melodic enough for the average person to get into and yet, heavy enough for a die-hard metalheadas well. I was so convinced these guys were going to be the biggest band in the nineties. I one listens to this album, its clear that they should have been.

Certainly one of the most influential of its kind to any discriminating fan of the genre. I was most fortunate to see them on this tour & they STOMPED!! Their final encore was a gorgeous version of The Beatles' "Dear Prudence"; so moving! Everything you've heard is true: IT'S A MUST-HAVE!!

When I die I want to be buried with this album!! From the crunching "Hostile Youth" to the beautiful "Love is on the way" this album rocks. A band that should never be pigeon holed to a musical style, Saigon Kick display all their talents on this album....highlights are Jason's fret board work on "all alright" and the angry "body bags". A top album in every sense of the word.