The Flaming Lips: Embryonic
Label: Warner Bros.
At War with the Mystics was a respectable placeholder, and instrumental soundtrack Christmas on Mars holds an auspicious place in the Flaming Lips’ catalogue, but to fans who’ve been waiting years for a proper follow-up to The Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi: It’s here!! With this 70-minute bash in the head, the Lips explore a darker, more aggressive side of their own brand of psychedelic futurism. The album’s best tracks don’t warmly envelop so much as they attack the listener with growling bass rhythms and buzzing synth. There’s still plenty of room across 18 tracks for some sound collage hallucinations and static-y sing-alongs. Just don’t get too comfortable; a killer sonic barrage is waiting right around the corner. (Abby)
