Release date: April 4, 2006
12 tracks; 55:01

Back in the early 1990s, I saw The Flaming Lips open for Stone Temple Pilots and the Butthole Surfers. The Lips had just released "Vaseline," which was a hit on mainstream radio.

If you asked, I couldn't tell you anything about the show. Maybe one of them had red hair... It didn't stand out. These days, a concert by The Flaming Lips is more of a theatrical event.

Their latest album, "At War with the Mystics," continues along the same pscyhedelic lines as previous efforts.

It kicks off with "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song," which could have been done by Ween's "Chocolate and Cheese album."

"Free Radicals" could have been done by Prince. "Pompeii Am Gotterdammerung" could be a Pink Floyd song.

This isn't to say that The Flaming Lips are trying to imitate others, it only goes to show a point of reference for their diverse music.

I've heard other songs from previous CDs through Internet radio, and I know at some point, I'll have to buy more Flaming Lips albums.

The band is one that almost defies description. It's a little of everything. Complex and yet simple/almost childish, but composed incredibly.

Their lyrics border on science fiction and the music sometimes conjures up the 70s, but the grooves are infectious and the album is simply fun.

Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at April 30, 2006 7:29 PM

Comments

Thanks for posting this review. I saw the Flaming lips play in Asheville a few years ago, truly one of the most amazing live shows I've ever seen. It was like a 4 year olds birthday party meets New years eve. Syncopated video, hand puppets, strobe lights the whole nine yards. I agree that you can hear all kinds of influences in this album but, you can also hear bits and pieces off of all their albums in this one. It's almost like a cheesy greatest hits without being so cheesy.

Posted by: Taylor W. at May 1, 2006 3:28 PM