The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
They're mad they are
Eccentric Oklahoman collective The Flaming Lips have produced their twelfth and least accessible record in over ten years in Embryonic, a 70 minute double-album epic practically devoid of conventional songs but bursting to the brim with indulgent ‘free-form jams’. Even lead singer, Wayne Coyne has admitted that “in the course of making this record, we did, on all levels, completely lose our way”. Not really selling it so far?
But sometimes it’s fun to step outside of your musical comfort zone. 'See The Leaves'' initial mechanical bombast collapses under its chilling monotone delivery and fatalist message, while 'Evil' is a plaintive lament for a return to times gone by over nostalgic synths. It’s a testament to the band’s reputation that darlings of the day MGMT have contributed to visceral stoner anthem 'Worm Mountain', while Karen O leaves the Wild Things where they were to bleat and chirrup and growl and caw along to the eerily foreboding 'I Can Be A Frog'.
The last quarter century has seen the band transcend from garage-punk to psychedelic rock then more commercial symphonic pop, finding time to make a ropey festive b-movie (Christmas on Mars) in Wayne Coyne’s back garden along the way. With Embryonic, the Flaming Lips have crossed the final frontier – its music Jim, but not as we know it.
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