WOW!...

The Flaming Lips are no strangers to albums filled with experimental landscapes of sound. In fact, most of their career revolves around trippy, unique music, ranging from the euphorically happy to the dark and the bleak. The band, now a 4-piece, is held together by founding member/zany ringleader Wayne Coyne, who sings and plays guitar.

Live performances involve the frontman emerging from an alien mothership and descending into (or should that be onto?) the crowd in a large bubble, as well as lots of confetti, lasers, fake blood and other theatrical gimmicks that work ever so well with the incredible cosmic sounds the band create. Anyway, this isn't a history of "The Flaming Lips", this is a little review of their latest double album, entitled "Embryonic".

Having only listened to odd song from the band over the last few years, I've always been intrigued by them and their quirky nature, but still haven't found the right time to explore their rather large back catalogue. Thanks to "Embryonic", this task is something that I will certainly be embarking on at some point in the near future.

The record has the feel of a concept album, reiterating themes of paranoia, science and space throughout the songs and also referencing each other at times. But it leaves you wondering, what the fuck did I just hear? (in a good way I must add). I must have listened to it in its entirety about 6 or 7 times now, and I simply cannot get enough. After each rendition it still puzzles me and makes me want to listen to it again. And again.

The truth is, you could spend a long time dissecting the songs and analysing the lyrics to find a true and deeper meaning of what the whole thing is about. Or you could just light a joint and lie in bed, in utter wonder at such a beautiful and atmospheric collection of songs.

Highlights in my opinion include "Evil"; a slow one that sounds like it came straight from Bowie's "Low" and "The Ego's Last Stand"; a mini-epic driven by heavy bass and featuring a total freakout. Upon listening, "Embryonic" appears quite apparent to be the work of a band that include ex-heroin addicts who admittedly tripped out on LSD in their earlier days. Maybe this explains the fact they have hardly ever had any mainstream singles, except perhaps "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" and "The W.A.N.D" from their last LP "At War With The Mystics".

This band seems destined to be what they've always been: a rare and extraordinary case of what can happen when a bunch of weirdos get together and plug in their instruments. Truly a cult group, they continue to blow my mind with the material I have heard so far, and I am excited about the forthcoming day when I have a Flaming Lips binge and tear through their discography. Final verdict on "Embryonic": BRILLIANT.

9/10.