From Robots to Mystics, The Fight Continues

Posted on 21st Mar 06 by Liam Tyrrell | 0

Artist: The Flaming Lips
Author: Liam Tyrell

The Flaming Lips return this April with their eagerly awaited eleventh studio album At War With the Mystics. It"s been four years in the making and while the band"s legions of fans have patiently battling pink robots as they waited the band have been busy crafting another piece of their increasingly complicated musical jigsaw. AWWTM kicks off with an enigmatic number simply called "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" Strange vocal harmonies layered over the catchiest of riffs only serve to enhance the pop power of a surprisingly political opener" criticising those who pull the strings and posing the question of what the listener themselves might do if they were the puppeteer.

"Free Radicals" leads us on an altogether funkier turn" it is based on front man Wayne Coyne"s strange dreams about suicide bombers" almost bordering on barbershop in parts with its harmonies this track harks back to the days when Prince was so much more than just a symbol. "The Sound of Failure" is a wonderful piece of music etched with true sadness and tells of a young girl learning that its ok to be sad" a welcome lesson in these days of false friends and plastic smiles" truly this band have tuned their radio to the frequency of the global consciousness.

Those who witnessed the magic of the Lips at Electric Picnic will recognise parts of the next track "My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion" as it provided the soundtrack to Wayne"s infamous space"bubble crowd"surfing antics" the joyous memory of that balmy September"s eve never fails to lift my spirits and this only serves as an even more poignant reminder" a just reward for fans who took the time to see the band live.

"Vein of Stars" provides a lament for the loss of the innocence of beauty to science but can taken to be an inspiration to search and strive to recognise wonders despite the explanations we know to be true. "The Wizard Turns On"" on the other hand is a mash of strange and yet delightful sounds cobbled together like some old comfortable shoes" worn and battered but the best to walk a mile in" this song provides some of the album"s highlights for those air guitar enthusiasts out there with a suitably gut wrenching solo towards the end.

Its straight back to pop land for "It Overtakes Me" with a bass line that will have them hopping through the roof on the bands upcoming tour dates" it also features the best lyric on the album "It wakes and bakes me"" such irreverent mischief just has to be admired. "Mr. Ambulance Driver" provides homage to those fine men and women who act as the first line for anyone who finds themselves in need of medical attention" based around a sample of an actual ambulance siren this is another stunning piece of music that leaves the listener with quite a bit more to think about than they had before they started out.

"Haven"t Got A Clue" is a punchy number about those who point the fingers of blame at all but themselves" a well targeted dig at a class of punter that deserves it and all the while managing to remain remarkably upbeat. "The W.A.N.D." is the first track to get a single release off AWWTM and it"s no prizes for guessing why" funk" rock" pop" politics" and rebellion" this one"s got it all" not to mention the crowd inspiring hand clap opening" this is three minutes you do not want to miss.

"Pompeii Am G"tterd"mmerung" is an epic piece of rock with crashing guitars and sublime strings over the top" about a couple who dare to commit suicide together and only then realise that they could have just as easily decided to change their lives instead" an all action sound for an all action message" complete with another stunning guitar arrangement towards its close" this track comes close to being the best on the record as a whole.

"Goin" On" is all about acceptance and much as I hate to accept it the album draws to a close on this fine note" leaving a sense of warm fuzziness all over. The war"s over then" but it was a hell of fight. "At War With the Mystics" is out worldwide on April 3rd on Warner Bros records. Buy it and be saved" or just buy it and listen" it"s definitely worth the time and it"s more than worth your money.