Goat (2023 Reissue)

The Jesus Lizard's second album followed in the vein of the first with little immediate variation: loud, excellently produced by Steve Albini, plenty of space in the recording to emphasize the sheer force of McNeilly's drums and Sims' bass, and more besides. The little-remarked-upon ability of the rhythm section to kick out some jams spikes up such great numbers as Nub which almost predicts Rocket From the Crypt down to the gang-shout vocals, and the slower but no-less-compelling grind of Rodeo in Joliet. Denison's guitar playing seemed a touch more focused at points here, the results almost suggesting such post-punk groove monsters as Gang of Four and even the Pop Group. There's a more evident melodic lead role for his work as well, as the just plain great riff that fires up Mouth Breather and his near-countryish twang on Karpis makes perfectly clear. Yow, meanwhile, steps ever more into his own persona, his lyrics now downright comprehensible and his singing levels a touch less doom- (and bass) heavy, if no less aggrieved. 

Released: May 2023
Cat: TG468LP
Label: Touch and Go Records