Flying Microtonal Banana

Subtitled Explorations into Microtonal Tuning, Volume 1, the album is recorded in quarter tone tuning, where an octave is divided into 24 (logarithmically) equal-distanced quarter tones; it was originally conceived to play on a baglama, so the band members used instruments specifically modified for microtonal tuning. The name "Flying Microtonal Banana" comes from Stu Mackenzie's custom-built yellow guitar, fitted with additional microtonal frets.[5]

The album has been described as psychedelic rock,[6][7] acid rock[8] and experimental rock,[9] with elements of krautrock[9][10] and Middle Eastern/Turkish music.[9][11]

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	6.9/10[12]
Metacritic	72/100[13]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[14]
DIY	[15]
Exclaim!	8/10[16]
The Guardian	[8]
Mojo	[17]
Pitchfork	7.4/10[18]
Q	[19]
Record Collector	[20]
The Times	[21]
Uncut	8/10[22]

Upon its release, Flying Microtonal Banana received positive reviews from music critics. On Metacritic, the album holds an average critic score of 72 out of 100, based on 15 reviews, indicating "generally favourable reviews".[13]

AllMusic's Tim Sendra wrote, "it's clear that the experiment was a success and that the microtuned instruments fit in perfectly with their oddball aesthetic" describing the melodies as "more exotic (to ears attuned to Western music anyway) and complex" compared to previous albums.[14] While comparing it unfavourably to its predecessor, Pitchfork contributor Stuart Bremen still commended the album, writing "if Flying Microtonal Banana’s randomized approach is ultimately less transfixing than Nonagon Infinity’s maniacal focus, it nonetheless shows that, after eight previous albums, this band’s creativity and curiosity knows no bounds, and their singular balance of anarchy and accessibility is still in check. So even if you don’t understand the first thing about microtonality, there’s still plenty of flying banana here to keep you amused."[18]

Vinyl releases have tracks 1–3 on side A, and tracks 4–9 on side B.[24]

All tracks are written by Stu Mackenzie unless otherwise specified.

Credits for Flying Microtonal Banana adapted from liner notes.[25]

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

• Michael Cavanagh – drum kit (tracks 1–8), bongos (tracks 3–5, 8, 9), percussion (track 9)
• Cook Craig – microtonal guitar (tracks 1, 3, 7), microtonal bass guitar (tracks 4, 6)
• Ambrose Kenny-Smith – microtonal harmonica (tracks 1, 4, 7–9), vocals (track 5), piano (tracks 1, 5, 9), synthesizer (tracks 2, 3, 8, 9)
• Stu Mackenzie – microtonal guitar (tracks 1–8), microtonal bass guitar (tracks 2, 8), zurna (tracks 1, 3, 5–7, 9), vocals (tracks 1–4, 7, 8), percussion (tracks 1, 2, 3, 9)
• Eric Moore – drum kit (tracks 1, 3), bongos (track 9)
• Lucas Skinner – microtonal bass guitar (tracks 1–3, 7)
• Joey Walker – microtonal guitar (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9), microtonal bass guitar (track 5), vocals (track 6)

Production

• Stu Mackenzie – recording
• Jarvis Taveniere – mixing
• Joe Carra – mastering
• Jason Galea – artwork and layout

• Flying Microtonal Banana at Discogs (list of releases)