Rack – The Jesus Lizard

Rack, the seventh studio album by The Jesus Lizard, marks a triumphant return for the noise rock legends after a 26-year hiatus. Produced by Paul Allen at Nashville’s Audio Eagle Studio, this 11-track LP proves the band – David Yow (vocals), Duane Denison (guitar), Mac McNeilly (drums), and David Wm. Sims (bass) – hasn’t lost its feral edge. At 34 minutes, Rack is a concise, unrelenting assault that reaffirms their status as masters of controlled chaos.

The album kicks off with “Hide & Seek,” a snarling opener where Yow’s unhinged yelps tangle with Denison’s jagged riffs, setting a tone of abrasive urgency. McNeilly’s drumming, precise yet primal, drives tracks like “Armistice Day,” where the band’s signature tension-and-release dynamic shines. Sims’ basslines, thick and menacing, anchor the mayhem, particularly on “Grind,” a standout that feels like a slow-motion punch to the gut.

“Blending their early ’90s snarl with a weathered, post-punk heft.”

Yow’s lyrics remain cryptic and visceral, delivered with a deranged charisma that’s equal parts menacing and magnetic. Lines like “I’m a walking bruise” (from “Falling Down”) evoke a battered, defiant spirit, while his vocal contortions—growls, shrieks, and mutters—elevate the album’s raw intensity. The band’s interplay is tighter than ever, balancing dissonance with unexpected grooves, as heard in “Lord Godiva,” which flirts with accessibility before veering back into the abyss.

Rack isn’t a nostalgia trip; it’s a reinvention that respects the band’s legacy while pushing forward. Tracks like “Alexis Feels Sick” showcase a matured ferocity, blending their early ’90s snarl with a weathered, post-punk heft. The production is crisp but unpolished, letting the instrumentation breathe – Denison’s guitar stabs cut through like rusty razors, and the rhythm section’s lockstep brutality recalls their Touch and Go heyday.

For newcomers, Rack is a brutal introduction; for longtime devotees, it’s a reminder of why The Jesus Lizard remains unmatched. Rack is a snarling, sweat-soaked testament to a band still thriving in the muck.

Rack is available on vinyl and CD here. Cassette is sold out.

Label: Ipecac
Release date: September 13, 2024