Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics
 

So - it's out there.

It's a bit of a departure from the last two albums. I've only listened to the whole thing once and my first stylistic impression is that this is the Lips attempting to do their version of a 70's classic rock record - and by that I mean more like Pink Floyd or Steely Dan than say, TREX. You're not going to get that impression immediately from the start of the record because it begins WACKY but by the end I think you'll see what I mean.

I have no idea how I feel about the quality of the record yet. It sounds pretty raw so what I'm hearing might be a pre-master (that was the case with Yoshimi's initial leak too...) Generally when I'm left with a "I don't know how to parse this yet" feeling on a first listen it means either A) Greatness (i.e. I'm being challenged by something cool), B) Forgettable - there's a nice range for you. :)

The first track "Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" immediately sounds gimmicky and annoying (complete with like a 30 second Wayne falsetto in the middle of it) but on the second listen it was getting better and more obvious old school Lips so we'll see... I think they know the reaction they're immediately going to get to the song given the end of it has a sample of Steven saying "I quit... I didn't make it all the way through that"

"Vein of Stars" and "It Overtakes Me", on the other hand, are pretty immediately awesome and should please Lips fans.

BTW - "You've Got To Hold On" is nowhere to be found. While that track is single-worthy Lips material I have a feeling they left it off because it's very Yoshimi-like and would have sounded completely out of place on this album.

Fantastic album cover for this record...

Re: Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics
 

Did you see The Fearless Freaks yet, btw, Scott?

Re: Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics
 

heard the leak today.

i rather like it. i'm not sure though. rather catchy stuff. :cool:

Re: Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics
 

Many listens in now and I can say that this is a very good Lips record, much closer in spirit to the Soft Bulletin than Yoshimi. It's far more VIBE than SONG this time around (I'm finding it difficult to listen to most of the pieces seperately) so fans who thought Yosihimi was the better of the previous two are likely to be a little bit disappointed. Not sure if Mystics is totally on par with the previous two records but it's good nonetheless.

This said, "Vein of Stars" while very simple and devoid of most of the usual Lips studio trickery, is quite possibly the best thing this band has ever recorded. It is MAGIC.

Okay... maybe not as good as "Feeling Yourself Disintegrate" but it's close.

Adam - I did see the 'Fearless Freaks' documentary and it was err uh filled with all kinds of Flag Football and Long John Silver stories. And Steve shooting heroin while talking about trying to kick it. So, I guess it's a Lips documentary through and through. :)

Re: Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics
 

Am on my first listen...it's quite good I must say...Scott would you call it more mellow? more polished? More erhm, AOR?

(awaits the flying biscuits)

crank!

Re: Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics
 

ive really only listened to the first two tracks so far, and i hear theyre not exactly the best representation of the whole album, but i really love the first track. it is a bit corny, but it tones down the lyrics which would be too much on a more serious track. it all kinds of reminds me of the muppets.

Re: Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics
 

definitely a "whole album" kinda deal. i cant ingest it all quite yet, but it all sounds promising.

Re: Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics
 

Well after about 15 or so listens, I must say it's quite a nice record. Tangental as a good lips record is and quite accessible. I would rate it more sober and not quite as enthusiastic as other efforts. A bit more cynical lyrically?

crank!

Flaming Lips - At War With The Mystics
 

anyone heard this yet? i think it's fab.
less orchestral than the "soft bulletin", less conceptual than "yoshimi", retains it the sound of its predecessors and shows the diversity of the band - from the prog rock of "free radicals" to the potential indie hit "mr ambulance driver" and the electronic playfulness of "haven't got a clue" it shows the capabilites of the band in creating playful yet melancholic songs on very different bases.
the best song has to be "the sound of failure", a wonderful 7:20 min. mid-tempo song with a wonderful groove, that evolves into a psychedelic ambient piece. and "vein of stars" might as well be one of the most beautiful songs the Lips have ever recorded, combining great lyrics with a distinct guitar riff, and maintaining an aura of psychedelica.

i must admit this album has its flaws and not every song is a winner, especially since the standards are so incredibly high after their last two albums, but it's another great piece of work in the lips catalogue.

http://www.flaminglips.com

Re: Flaming Lips - At War With The Mystics
 

Its rocking my socks. I cant wait to see them in April, it will be the gig of the year.