Big Lizard in My Backyard | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1985 | |||
Recorded | 1985 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 42:14 | |||
Label | Restless | |||
Producer | The Dead Milkmen, John Wicks | |||
The Dead Milkmen chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Robert Christgau | A− [2] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [3] |
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [4] |
Big Lizard in My Backyard is the debut album by the Dead Milkmen, released by Restless Records in 1985. [5] [6]
Although the album yielded no singles, it achieved enough notoriety to create a fan base for the band. Five of the album's tracks appear on the 1997 compilation Death Rides a Pale Cow: The Ultimate Collection ; four tracks appear on the 1998 compilation Cream of the Crop.
Big Lizard in My Backyard was produced by John Wicks and the band. [4] The introduction to "Bitchin' Camaro" was improvised. [7]
The album's cover artwork was designed by the band's drummer, Dean Clean. [8] [ non-primary source needed ]
Big Lizard in My Backyard received strong reviews, with critics singling out "Bitchin' Camaro", calling it "hilarious" and "career-making." [6] [9] Maximum Rocknroll wrote that "these 20 satire-laced songs are real crack-ups, and backed up by tight playing that incorporates funk, country, and lots of other styles into their punk approach." [10] Spin called the album "frenetic goof pop," writing that it's "full of the kind of scruff-and-tumble guitar and funtime lyrics that made 1977 punk such a refreshing blast." [11]
All tracks written by the Dead Milkmen
"Gorilla Girl" was not included on the original U.S. Enigma/Fever LP release. "Tugena" was present on the original release (as the last track) but was unidentified and not labeled until later pressings.
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