'Nonagon infinity opens the door!': Formation of a cross-album concept through motivic interrelation in the music of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. (3rd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ballam-Cross, Paul
• Is Part Of: Perfect beat. Volume 20:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 68
• Page End: 91
• Publication Date: 2020-07-03
• Subjects: psychedelic rock -- intertextuality -- garage rock -- motif -- australian music -- concept album; Popular music -- Periodicals; Popular culture -- Periodicals; Popular music -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Popular culture -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; 781.63
• DOI: 10.1558/prbt.38104
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1038-2909

Abstract

Abstract : The re-use of motifs is relatively common as a method of structuring concept albums. These motifs can appear in several different formats, but generally are musical or lyrical references that serve to generate a sense of cohesion across a release. Australian band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have created what is referred to as the 'Gizzverse'—a collection of musical, lyrical and extra-musical motifs that are referenced across several releases. Their extensive re-use of motifs, discussed using Gérard Genette's frameworks for understanding multi-textual references, or transtextuality, creates an interconnected mythology that this article argues ultimately constitutes a kind of uber-concept album.