Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
It may not be deathless, but 1985's Big Lizard in My Backyard is that rarest of beasts (as a random listen to any Barenaked Ladies disc will show): a collection of rock & roll silliness that outlives one playing. The mid-'80s favorite "Bitchin' Camaro" already demonstrated that ability plenty of times over. Portraying two guys yammering about Doors cover bands and "going down to the shore" before finally getting to the main point -- the way-cool car of the title -- it somehow finds the lost gap between pseudo-jazz grooves and punky snottiness. As left-field a fluke hit single as it gets, its mix of bad taste, rock star mockery, and stoner humor still works well. As a whole, the album shows that the Milkmen know their rock & roll history, whether tackling serious issues with sarcasm or just aiming for straight-up silliness. The opening track, "Tiny Town," is a quick thrash-and-scream about small minds in small towns, and the blatant idiocy of "Takin' Retards to the Zoo," which is about just what it says it is, finds the Milkmen's tongues planted firmly in their cheeks. The reggae-tinged "Gorilla Girl" is about a choice in sweethearts that meets with parental disapproval, while the tense, nervous bite of "Right Wing Pigeons" trashes the Reagan administration with style and smirks. Semi-seriousness crops up on the wistfully poppy "Dean's Dream," about "a girl with long blonde hair," and the instrumental finale "Tugena," which shows that when they want to, the Milkmen can rock out with the best of them. Never too heavy but deeper than expected, Big Lizard captures these disaffected class clowns getting it out of their system with energy.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From £10.83/month
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
The Dead Milkmen, MainArtist - Rodney Anonymous, Vocals
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records
Album review
It may not be deathless, but 1985's Big Lizard in My Backyard is that rarest of beasts (as a random listen to any Barenaked Ladies disc will show): a collection of rock & roll silliness that outlives one playing. The mid-'80s favorite "Bitchin' Camaro" already demonstrated that ability plenty of times over. Portraying two guys yammering about Doors cover bands and "going down to the shore" before finally getting to the main point -- the way-cool car of the title -- it somehow finds the lost gap between pseudo-jazz grooves and punky snottiness. As left-field a fluke hit single as it gets, its mix of bad taste, rock star mockery, and stoner humor still works well. As a whole, the album shows that the Milkmen know their rock & roll history, whether tackling serious issues with sarcasm or just aiming for straight-up silliness. The opening track, "Tiny Town," is a quick thrash-and-scream about small minds in small towns, and the blatant idiocy of "Takin' Retards to the Zoo," which is about just what it says it is, finds the Milkmen's tongues planted firmly in their cheeks. The reggae-tinged "Gorilla Girl" is about a choice in sweethearts that meets with parental disapproval, while the tense, nervous bite of "Right Wing Pigeons" trashes the Reagan administration with style and smirks. Semi-seriousness crops up on the wistfully poppy "Dean's Dream," about "a girl with long blonde hair," and the instrumental finale "Tugena," which shows that when they want to, the Milkmen can rock out with the best of them. Never too heavy but deeper than expected, Big Lizard captures these disaffected class clowns getting it out of their system with energy.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 21 track(s)
- Total length: 00:42:04
- Main artists: The Dead Milkmen
- Label: Ryko - Rhino
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 1985 Golf Pro Music ℗ 1985 Fever Records, manufactured & marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group company.
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.