My first introduction to The Flaming Lips, like a lot of folks, was their critically acclaimed 1999 album The Soft Parade. Problem was, while everybody else loved it, I didn’t. I mean, it was beautiful in many places,with its layered vocals and production, but I couldn’t get into Wayne Coyne’s voice. I tried, believe you me. When Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots came out, I tried even harder. At War With The Mystics I got into, though. It wasn’t as twee as the previous albums. And then came Embryonic in 2009. That’s when I got it. The Flaming Lips had gone from orchestral pop back to avant-garde, Pink Floydish noise. Beautiful noise, like a psychedelic trip that had no boundaries. This was music I could get into.
It should come as no surprise then, that the band’s new release The Terror, is just what the doctor ordered for this particular listener.
The Terror is a grand sonic noise experiment. The lyrics are hard to decipher and songs virtually flow into one another. For some listeners, it will be too much, as will be the album’s centerpiece, the 13-minute extravaganza, You Lust. To my ears, though, this is brilliant, challenging music. It’s definitely not Do You Realize?
Do not look for happy or uplifting on The Flaming Lips’ The Terror. Look for an adventuresome psychedelic excursion. It’s not for everybody, but if it’s for you, it’s a treat.
