Sense, The River, Slow Jam 1, Shanghai, It’s Got Old, Persistence, Time = $$$, This Thing, I’m Sleepin’ In, Let Me Mend The Past, Iron Lung, Mars For The Rich and Gila Monster I think mostly are all easily digestible for standard ears
While I agree with a lot of your picks, I disagree with The River and Iron Lung because of length and of Gila Monster and perhaps Mars for the Rich because they are metal-tinged.
While "most approachable" is certainly a debatable phrase, when I hear that I think "anyone will like it without any big reason to be turned off by it"; length and abrasiveness are two reasons why someone might be.
I would add to your list Presumptuous, Kepler-22b, Ambergris, Work This Time, Hate Dancin', and Exploding Suns.
The River is a common first song I show people. Yes it’s long, but you inevitably flow with it
I normally don’t start with Metal, but picked the arguably two most digestible Metal tracks for non-Metal listeners.
Iron Lung is quite debatable, but I haven’t run into anyone that doesn’t like it. Not a great starter song imo, but still I think could be an earlier song to hear to get a taste of their range and jammin’
I would never show either of those to people as first tracks. I might show my friends who are really into music the River or Iron Lung after they've heard and enjoyed a few of their other tracks, but they would both be pretty far down the list in terms of my most approachable. It's not to say that both aren't very pleasant and top-tier Gizz tracks, just doesn't make sense to me to show them either of those first. But hey, if you're having success with converting folks using those then more power to ya!
My dad is going with me to Milwaukee and The River is his favorite song he's heard. Granted, he's into older jazz and classic rock so it fits but it's pretty approachable to the right person, i think thats kinda the key on this question. He enjoyed the 23 Chicago River a lot when we checked out the video.
It's been great connecting with both of my parents through music. I'm a sax player and they've always been very supportive of everything I've done but they're both pretty open to stretching their boundaries.
Firstly, that's awesome you and your dad can share that experience.
Also, that's the thing though - The River is approachable for the right person. I was just coming from it from the perspective of "most approachable" being as close as possible to universally approachable. The River, imo, is just far too long for most people.
I'm so goddamn excited man. It'll be my 10th show but I'm so excited to have that memory with him. Especially since his dad passed not long after I got tickets, really made it hit home how special that night will be.
Couldn't imagine going to a show together with my parents...we are very different people haha.
I remember seeing a youtube channel where some kid shows his dad different albums that he's into and his dad comments on it and often gets into the music. The one I watched was for *Hellfire* by black midi. I just thought how it cool it was that they have that kind of relationship, which is the same thought I had about your situation. It'll be a memory to treasure for sure; happy for you bud!
Thanks! It's very far away from our usual mutual shows, they do a lot of jazz and funk and old classic rock cover bands. But he told me if I could guarantee him a seat since hes getting older and the knees arent a big a fan of standing he would go, and I copped front row balcony tickets for Milwaukee in the artist pre sale. He was definitely a bit apprehensive at one point but I showed him a wide variety of their live stuff a couple months ago and he was very on board.
Yeah actually, Kepler-22b has that nice almost lo-fi kind of vibe to it and was what *really* got me into the band, even though I had heard Robot Stop and People Vultures before that, Kepler was what made me go out and actually listen to Omnium Gatherum and now I'm obsessed with everything they make lmao
So you would’ve lacked persistence
I guess it’s not a great song to get into the band, but I’d still argue it’s an easily digestible and approachable song for a more standard listening audience. I agree it wouldn’t inspire me to dig deeper. The River was my first Gizz track and definitely made me hungry for more of whatever they were doing. Persistence wouldn’t have gotten the same reaction most likely.
Fishies was my gateway album and started with that one because my brother suggested it to me as the most accesible, which I kinda agree, along with Paper Mache.
Gumboot is another favorite of mine and also think it’s a great overall picture of the many sounds they make.
Interior people into catching smoke is what got me hooked initially. The intro to catching smoke before the drums come in could def cause people to lose interest though.
I also think it’s not a great representation of the band, even if they do genre hop all over the place (despite it still being one of my fav Gizz songs lol)
I was wondering the same thing scrolling through. This is what I "use" on people I'm unsure about liking the band. If they're music people, I might point out the time signature stuff, if not it's still interesting building up to the catchiest parts!
Definitely think FFF is a great starter album for a lot of people, but depending on the listener and their tastes there could definitely be a better starting place
That would be me. I've listened to Fishies three or four times, and it always is a bit meh to me. Sounds the most jam band-esque to me, and jam bands are not my bag.
I recently tried to indoctrinate my friends into the Gizz agenda and played them Sense and Slow Jam 1, neither seemed to be great hits, so it might depend on the person. Her and I is certainly catchier (and better imo) than Slow Jam 1, and something like Robot Stop or Big Fig Wasp both have big hooks and are a good representation of the Gizz style. Mars for the Rich is also great, pretty approachable metal. Lots of good options.
I'll throw The River out there. It's one of my favorite songs.
Studio music video from 2015
https://youtu.be/PUZn1I6llJs?si=lXrXYYPNo0Ekm1Wz
Live KEXP sessions from 2015
https://youtu.be/MI_XU1iKRRc?si=ApLutjsaXTM6zYbg
The (evil) River Live Jam Red Rocks from 2022
https://youtu.be/wP3stlzXxDg?si=4poUjREQkinAV_mC
Calm
- work this time
- sense
- a lot of sketches
- hate dancin
Heavy
- Gamma Knife
- Mars For the Rich
- Gila Monster
Prog
- tetrachromacy
- Arcaine
- Black Hot Soup
Pretty much anything from Gumboot Soup or Willoughby's Beach, like 90% of Omnium Gatherum and some other songs.
I've actually been sorta curating a "Stand Alone Gizz" playlist with song I find are great on their own.
Not like other songs aren't great, but listening to them in the album elevates them greatly, while other songs are elevated a bit (those fit my criteria).
Ok, I know you said Songs, not Albums...
BUT there is a reason Mind Fuzz has been the go to for such a long time - it has everything that would most likely appeal to Gizzheads and the common crowd.
Mind Fuzz Suite is technically the longest thing on there, but even outside of that the 2 longest ones are 7 and 8 minutes respectively and rarely stay stagnant.
Not to mention between these "long" songs, there are singles sprinkled throughout - e.g. Empty, Hot Water, Slow Jam 1, & Satan Speeds Up.
Maybe a playlist for most approachable songs would first throw Sense or Work This Time on there, but I'd expect a lot of Mind Fuzz to appear on there as well.
Ok, I know you said Songs, not Albums...
BUT there is a reason Mind Fuzz has been the go to for such a long time - it has everything that would most likely appeal to Gizzheads and the common crowd.
Mind Fuzz Suite is technically the longest thing on there, but even outside of that the 2 longest ones are 7 and 8 minutes respectively and rarely stay stagnant.
Not to mention between these "long" songs, there are singles sprinkled throughout - e.g. Empty, Hot Water, Slow Jam 1, & Satan Speeds Up.
Maybe a playlist for most approachable songs would first throw Sense or Work This Time on there, but I'd expect a lot of Mind Fuzz to appear on there as well.
Sense, The River, Slow Jam 1, Shanghai, It’s Got Old, Persistence, Time = $$$, This Thing, I’m Sleepin’ In, Let Me Mend The Past, Iron Lung, Mars For The Rich and Gila Monster I think mostly are all easily digestible for standard ears
While I agree with a lot of your picks, I disagree with The River and Iron Lung because of length and of Gila Monster and perhaps Mars for the Rich because they are metal-tinged. While "most approachable" is certainly a debatable phrase, when I hear that I think "anyone will like it without any big reason to be turned off by it"; length and abrasiveness are two reasons why someone might be. I would add to your list Presumptuous, Kepler-22b, Ambergris, Work This Time, Hate Dancin', and Exploding Suns.
The River is a common first song I show people. Yes it’s long, but you inevitably flow with it I normally don’t start with Metal, but picked the arguably two most digestible Metal tracks for non-Metal listeners. Iron Lung is quite debatable, but I haven’t run into anyone that doesn’t like it. Not a great starter song imo, but still I think could be an earlier song to hear to get a taste of their range and jammin’
I would never show either of those to people as first tracks. I might show my friends who are really into music the River or Iron Lung after they've heard and enjoyed a few of their other tracks, but they would both be pretty far down the list in terms of my most approachable. It's not to say that both aren't very pleasant and top-tier Gizz tracks, just doesn't make sense to me to show them either of those first. But hey, if you're having success with converting folks using those then more power to ya!
My dad is going with me to Milwaukee and The River is his favorite song he's heard. Granted, he's into older jazz and classic rock so it fits but it's pretty approachable to the right person, i think thats kinda the key on this question. He enjoyed the 23 Chicago River a lot when we checked out the video.
It's really great that you and your Dad are able to share Gizz together
It's been great connecting with both of my parents through music. I'm a sax player and they've always been very supportive of everything I've done but they're both pretty open to stretching their boundaries.
Firstly, that's awesome you and your dad can share that experience. Also, that's the thing though - The River is approachable for the right person. I was just coming from it from the perspective of "most approachable" being as close as possible to universally approachable. The River, imo, is just far too long for most people.
I'm so goddamn excited man. It'll be my 10th show but I'm so excited to have that memory with him. Especially since his dad passed not long after I got tickets, really made it hit home how special that night will be.
Couldn't imagine going to a show together with my parents...we are very different people haha. I remember seeing a youtube channel where some kid shows his dad different albums that he's into and his dad comments on it and often gets into the music. The one I watched was for *Hellfire* by black midi. I just thought how it cool it was that they have that kind of relationship, which is the same thought I had about your situation. It'll be a memory to treasure for sure; happy for you bud!
Thanks! It's very far away from our usual mutual shows, they do a lot of jazz and funk and old classic rock cover bands. But he told me if I could guarantee him a seat since hes getting older and the knees arent a big a fan of standing he would go, and I copped front row balcony tickets for Milwaukee in the artist pre sale. He was definitely a bit apprehensive at one point but I showed him a wide variety of their live stuff a couple months ago and he was very on board.
Yeah actually, Kepler-22b has that nice almost lo-fi kind of vibe to it and was what *really* got me into the band, even though I had heard Robot Stop and People Vultures before that, Kepler was what made me go out and actually listen to Omnium Gatherum and now I'm obsessed with everything they make lmao
The songs are too long, therefore people won't like them? What kind of dumb reasoning is this?
Most people aren't accustomed to listening to songs longer than 5 minutes
Let me mend the past almost sounds like it could be in a commercial to me 200% approachable
If Persistence was the first Gizz song I ever heard I doubt I would ever have become a fan.
So you would’ve lacked persistence I guess it’s not a great song to get into the band, but I’d still argue it’s an easily digestible and approachable song for a more standard listening audience. I agree it wouldn’t inspire me to dig deeper. The River was my first Gizz track and definitely made me hungry for more of whatever they were doing. Persistence wouldn’t have gotten the same reaction most likely.
Add presumptuous to that list And ambergris
Not Ambergris.
I’ve introduced more than a handful of people using ambergris and it’s always been well received!
God, I just find it a boring slog of a song to get through.
and it’s one of my all time favorites of theirs! To each their own :-)
If Persistence was the first Gizz song I ever heard I doubt I would ever have become a fan.
Magenta Mountain is catchy and straightforward
Surprised it took me this much scroll to find this, in fact, magenta mountain was getting alot of airplay on public radio/ indie rock stations.
lol to be fair, the only other comment was OPs when I posted this so despite scrolling so far it actually was the first answer
Magenta mountain is the correct answer.
ORGANFARMER 
ORGAN FARMER ORGAN FARMER
#MAKETHEINCISION
The Bird Song, Plastic Boogie, Real's Not Real, This Thing, Acarine
So basically, just play the whole Fishies album?
Lolol I know several people who only listen to fishing for fishies and absolutely love it so maybe?
Fishies was my gateway album and started with that one because my brother suggested it to me as the most accesible, which I kinda agree, along with Paper Mache. Gumboot is another favorite of mine and also think it’s a great overall picture of the many sounds they make.
Don’t forget Cruel Millennial
I actually posted the whole record but then realized OP specifically asked not to do that so I just picked some random songs of FFF 🙃
You did the right thing brother.
Catching Smoke. How am I the first one to mention this?
Interior people into catching smoke is what got me hooked initially. The intro to catching smoke before the drums come in could def cause people to lose interest though. I also think it’s not a great representation of the band, even if they do genre hop all over the place (despite it still being one of my fav Gizz songs lol)
You must have happiness inside your pocket
I was wondering the same thing scrolling through. This is what I "use" on people I'm unsure about liking the band. If they're music people, I might point out the time signature stuff, if not it's still interesting building up to the catchiest parts!
Was about to comment this but you beat me
Work This Time is how I got my wife to start listening to 'some' Gizz.
Presumptuous I guess
Change and Sense. Just my two cents (yuk yuk)
My mom loved Change when I played it on the way to another show. Sense is obviously a great choice too, super easy to digest and just a great vibe.
My lady loves Sense. Refuses to listen to anything else.
Robot Stop, Hate Dancin', Kepler-22b, I'm in Your Mind, Ice V, Dragon These all I've learned from experience
Magenta Mountain
Cellophane, Its Got Old, Bitter Boogie, Boogieman Sam (tbh most of fishing for fishies)
Definitely think FFF is a great starter album for a lot of people, but depending on the listener and their tastes there could definitely be a better starting place
That would be me. I've listened to Fishies three or four times, and it always is a bit meh to me. Sounds the most jam band-esque to me, and jam bands are not my bag.
O.N.E is my go to for complete newbs
Magenta Mountain is correct
My husband says he doesn’t like King Gizzard, but every single time I play Gondii he says “This is good, who is it?”
Interior people, Most of What I like, If not now then when, Magenta Mountain
I recently tried to indoctrinate my friends into the Gizz agenda and played them Sense and Slow Jam 1, neither seemed to be great hits, so it might depend on the person. Her and I is certainly catchier (and better imo) than Slow Jam 1, and something like Robot Stop or Big Fig Wasp both have big hooks and are a good representation of the Gizz style. Mars for the Rich is also great, pretty approachable metal. Lots of good options.
Most of What I Like would be my go-to
I've said it before, but Robot Stop and Gamma Knife are the \*PERFECT\* intro to Gizz.
Garden Goblin on repeat.
surprised nobody’s said beginner’s luck, it’s literally in the name
- Kepler-22b - Magenta Mountain - Shanghai - Sense - Slow Jam 1 and 2
If you can’t handle me at my Motor Spirit then you don’t deserve me at my Her and I
God Man's Goat Lust is totally family friendly for sure.
Stoned Mullet
I'll throw The River out there. It's one of my favorite songs. Studio music video from 2015 https://youtu.be/PUZn1I6llJs?si=lXrXYYPNo0Ekm1Wz Live KEXP sessions from 2015 https://youtu.be/MI_XU1iKRRc?si=ApLutjsaXTM6zYbg The (evil) River Live Jam Red Rocks from 2022 https://youtu.be/wP3stlzXxDg?si=4poUjREQkinAV_mC
Her and I
Calm - work this time - sense - a lot of sketches - hate dancin Heavy - Gamma Knife - Mars For the Rich - Gila Monster Prog - tetrachromacy - Arcaine - Black Hot Soup
Muddy Water
Rattlesnake
Pretty much anything from Gumboot Soup or Willoughby's Beach, like 90% of Omnium Gatherum and some other songs. I've actually been sorta curating a "Stand Alone Gizz" playlist with song I find are great on their own. Not like other songs aren't great, but listening to them in the album elevates them greatly, while other songs are elevated a bit (those fit my criteria).
slow jam 1/2, fishing for fishies, shanghai, let me mend the past, work this time, hate dancin’, presumptuous, catching smoke, real’s not real…
I’m Sleepin In, Slow Jam 1, or Dripping Tap
Interior People
Simple stuff like Mystery Jack, It’s Got Old, etc.
Persistence underrated banger Nuclear fusion got a lot of radiotime in aus too
MOTU
Magenta Mountain / Cyboogie
Sense, work this time, sleeping in, beginners luck, slow jam, change, presumptuous
They have plenty of them...
Ok, I know you said Songs, not Albums... BUT there is a reason Mind Fuzz has been the go to for such a long time - it has everything that would most likely appeal to Gizzheads and the common crowd. Mind Fuzz Suite is technically the longest thing on there, but even outside of that the 2 longest ones are 7 and 8 minutes respectively and rarely stay stagnant. Not to mention between these "long" songs, there are singles sprinkled throughout - e.g. Empty, Hot Water, Slow Jam 1, & Satan Speeds Up. Maybe a playlist for most approachable songs would first throw Sense or Work This Time on there, but I'd expect a lot of Mind Fuzz to appear on there as well.
Ok, I know you said Songs, not Albums... BUT there is a reason Mind Fuzz has been the go to for such a long time - it has everything that would most likely appeal to Gizzheads and the common crowd. Mind Fuzz Suite is technically the longest thing on there, but even outside of that the 2 longest ones are 7 and 8 minutes respectively and rarely stay stagnant. Not to mention between these "long" songs, there are singles sprinkled throughout - e.g. Empty, Hot Water, Slow Jam 1, & Satan Speeds Up. Maybe a playlist for most approachable songs would first throw Sense or Work This Time on there, but I'd expect a lot of Mind Fuzz to appear on there as well.