A band that releases an album in 2002 with liner notes thanking ancient bands like Vanilla Fudge, Blue Cheer, Free, Spooky Tooth and Humble Pie should be approached with caution. That's not the case, however, with The Lizards, an intriguing New York stoner-metal quartet that might as well give thanks to Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Black Oak Arkansas, the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Mountain, too.
Not surprisingly, these guys are led by a relic from the early-Seventies: gruff singer John Garner, former vocalist and drummer for the prototypical metal band Sir Lord Baltimore. Additionally, the résumés for guitarist Patrick Klein and six-string bass player Randy Pratt include cult bands French Lick, Fuzzbox and The Funky Knights. (The Lizards, since the recording of this album, have replaced drummer Phil Weiss with another classic-rock mainstay, Bobby Rondinelli, who’s played with the likes of Sabbath, Rainbow, Blue Oyster Cult, and more recently The Sign and his own band simply called Rondinelli.)
Together, The Lizards kick modern rock’s ass with a thick and potent groove-heavy vibe that boogies as much as it pounds. A trippy time warp ensues with tracks like the playful "Savor the Flavor" and the heavy-yet-funky "Suicide." The blues-drenched "Sing for Me" and the blazing opener "Something Higher" are other highlights. Nearly every one of the nine tracks here explodes with a confident swagger and crisp production. Songs begin and end abruptly, leaving you wanting more.
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