The Flaming Lips - Page 15

LemonMelon · 09-17-2009, 01:59 PM

The quality is absolutely fantastic.

Thanks, Colbert. For one afternoon, I am your biggest fan.

LemonMelon · 09-17-2009, 03:03 PM

Wow, that was certainly something.

First off, yes, I do love this album. It's fantastic. For those who weren't already aware, this is NOT a double album, it's a double LP. 73 minutes. Furthermore, it's nowhere near as scattered as I would have expected. As a matter of fact, it's arguably their most cohesive album to date. The Embryonic EP is EXACTLY what you're getting with this album. This is, of course, good or bad, depending on your preferences. I, for one, found a few flaws on first listen.

The main one is not necessarily a symptom of cohesion, but it's an unfortunate pitfall many bands fall into when they're recording albums along Embryonic's line: there aren't a lot of standouts. Maybe 3 or 4 out of 18 tracks. Silver Trembling Hands is, in fact, the best song, and one of the band's all-time best. It absolutely fucking floors me every single time, and it sounds even better in context. Incredible. Also, Convinced Of The Hex, The Sparrow Looks Up at the Machine, and The Ego's Last Stand stand out. Otherwise, this is a mood piece. Period. It's loud and overly compressed, which pretty much defeats the purpose of an album of this kind (another of the album's relatively few flaws), but don't come in expecting Yoshimi or the best moments of Mystics. This is The Observer, Pavonis Mons, and The Wizard Turns On times four, interspersed with the occasional superb track. Treat it like one of Brian Eno's earlier, more rocking efforts and you'll appreciate it far more. Embryonic is largely new territory for the band.

Is it top 10 material for the year? Yeah, probably. All I know is a handful of the tracks absolutely blow my mind, and they've brought back the distorted drums.

They have been missed.

Lancemc · 09-17-2009, 03:27 PM

Thanks for the review Mel. This is streaming somewhere, yes?

LMP · 09-17-2009, 03:28 PM

Motherfuck, this is a gem of an album. I've got my $$ set aside for this shit easy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LemonMelon

Wow, that was certainly something.

First off, yes, I do love this album. It's fantastic. For those who weren't already aware, this is NOT a double album, it's a double LP. 73 minutes. Furthermore, it's nowhere near as scattered as I would have expected. As a matter of fact, it's arguably their most cohesive album to date. The Embryonic EP is EXACTLY what you're getting with this album. This is, of course, good or bad, depending on your preferences. I, for one, found a few flaws on first listen.

The main one is not necessarily a symptom of cohesion, but it's an unfortunate pitfall many bands fall into when they're recording albums along Embryonic's line: there aren't a lot of standouts. Maybe 3 or 4 out of 18 tracks. Silver Trembling Hands is, in fact, the best song, and one of the band's all-time best. It absolutely fucking floors me every single time, and it sounds even better in context. Incredible. Also, Convinced Of The Hex, The Sparrow Looks Up at the Machine, and The Ego's Last Stand stand out. Otherwise, this is a mood piece. Period. It's loud and overly compressed, which pretty much defeats the purpose of an album of this kind (another of the album's relatively few flaws), but don't come in expecting Yoshimi or the best moments of Mystics. This is The Observer, Pavonis Mons, and The Wizard Turns On times four, interspersed with the occasional superb track. Treat it like one of Brian Eno's earlier, more rocking efforts and you'll appreciate it far more. Embryonic is largely new territory for the band.

Is it top 10 material for the year? Yeah, probably. All I know is a handful of the tracks absolutely blow my mind, and they've brought back the distorted drums.

They have been missed.

I agree with this entirely. One of my friends compared it to their live act, how it's a series of jams, and I was skeptical at first, but yeah, coheres extremely well.

The standouts for me are "I Can Be a Frog," "Watching the Planets" (both with THE O!), "Powerless," "Ego's Last Stand," and "Silver Trembling Hands."

LemonMelon · 09-17-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancemc

Thanks for the review Mel. This is streaming somewhere, yes?

Colbertnation.com, it's the conspicuous box in the top left corner. Make sure to turn it down a hair before playing it; they have that shit cranked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMP

Motherfuck, this is a gem of an album. I've got my $$ set aside for this shit easy.

I might wait for a 5.1 surround mix, but probably not. I can't wait to hear this without any gaps. It flows like a motherfucker.

EDIT: n/m, the 2 CD/DVD set comes with a 96k 24 bit audio mix. Hellz yeah.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMP

I agree with this entirely. One of my friends compared it to their live act, how it's a series of jams, and I was skeptical at first, but yeah, coheres extremely well.

The standouts for me are "I Can Be a Frog," "Watching the Planets" (both with THE O!), "Powerless," "Ego's Last Stand," and "Silver Trembling Hands."

I Can Be A Frog is the closest the album comes to that jaunty Yoshimi Pt. 1 campfire singalong sound. I really like it a lot, and I think I'll like it even more once I've gotten used THE O!'s admittedly entertaining/adorable interjections. That kind of threw me off guard at first.

LMP · 09-17-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LemonMelon

I Can Be A Frog is the closest the album comes to that jaunty Yoshimi Pt. 1 campfire singalong sound. I really like it a lot, and I think I'll like it even more once I've gotten used THE O!'s admittedly entertaining/adorable interjections. That kind of threw me off guard at first.

I hate to throw the word around, but that song is cute as hell. Wayne breaks into a chuckle at one point about halfway through.

Hell, it reminded me of some of the more playful tracks off of Clouds to a certain extent.

I never picked up those 5.1 mixes of their post-Zaireeka albums. Are they worth it?

u2popmofo · 09-17-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LemonMelon

Furthermore, it's nowhere near as scattered as I would have expected. As a matter of fact, it's arguably their most cohesive album to date.

I like the sound of that.

LemonMelon · 09-17-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMP

I never picked up those 5.1 mixes of their post-Zaireeka albums. Are they worth it?

I'll have one of my colleagues field this one. Embryonic was going to be a 5.1 cherry-popper for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by u2popmofo

I like the sound of that.

Yeah, for anyone who actively disliked Mystics, this one is pretty much the polar opposite.

GirlsAloudFan · 09-17-2009, 05:16 PM

Listened to the first three songs on the Colbert stream and I already like it more than Mystics.

u2popmofo · 09-17-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlsAloudFan

Listened to the first three songs on the Colbert stream and I already like it more than Mystics.

I like sound of that.

onebloodonelife · 09-17-2009, 05:29 PM

You guys are tempting me.

Lancemc · 09-17-2009, 05:30 PM

Listened to the first 5 or 6 songs... no where close to as good as Mystics.

But I'll give it the warmth and nurturing care it needs to grow on me.

impy13 · 09-17-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebloodonelife

You guys are tempting me.

Stay on target.

onebloodonelife · 09-17-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by impy13

Stay on target.

Oh, I am. I'm just not a fan of having (potential) awesomeness waved in my face if I can't experience it. But, I'm waiting for the vinyl, I've concretely decided already. I want to blast that motherfucker as loud as I can on first listen.

impy13 · 09-17-2009, 05:37 PM

Well, if it helps at all, you know I'm doing the same.

onebloodonelife · 09-17-2009, 05:43 PM

Yep, and I'm assuming Scumbo will too, minus the vinyl part.

u2popmofo · 09-17-2009, 05:49 PM

Yes and yes.

impy13 · 09-17-2009, 05:54 PM

It's important to me that my first listen is in the living room, spinning on the platter, and loud enough to get me evicted.

onebloodonelife · 09-17-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u2popmofo

Yes and yes.

Good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by impy13

It's important to me that my first listen is in the living room, spinning on the platter, and loud enough to get me evicted.

Hell yeah. That's my plan too...the entire neighborhood is going to get a taste of the Lips' insanity on that day.

impy13 · 09-17-2009, 06:08 PM

Just like entire neighborhood haven't gotten a taste of Lance's Mom's lips insanity.

Sorry.

09-17-2009, 01:59 PM	#281
LemonMelon More 5G Than Man Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hollywoo Posts: 68,638 Local Time: 12:18 PM	The quality is absolutely fantastic. Thanks, Colbert. For one afternoon, I am your biggest fan. __________________

09-17-2009, 03:03 PM	#282
LemonMelon More 5G Than Man Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hollywoo Posts: 68,638 Local Time: 12:18 PM	Wow, that was certainly something. First off, yes, I do love this album. It's fantastic. For those who weren't already aware, this is NOT a double album, it's a double LP. 73 minutes. Furthermore, it's nowhere near as scattered as I would have expected. As a matter of fact, it's arguably their most cohesive album to date. The Embryonic EP is EXACTLY what you're getting with this album. This is, of course, good or bad, depending on your preferences. I, for one, found a few flaws on first listen. The main one is not necessarily a symptom of cohesion, but it's an unfortunate pitfall many bands fall into when they're recording albums along Embryonic's line: there aren't a lot of standouts. Maybe 3 or 4 out of 18 tracks. Silver Trembling Hands is, in fact, the best song, and one of the band's all-time best. It absolutely fucking floors me every single time, and it sounds even better in context. Incredible. Also, Convinced Of The Hex, The Sparrow Looks Up at the Machine, and The Ego's Last Stand stand out. Otherwise, this is a mood piece. Period. It's loud and overly compressed, which pretty much defeats the purpose of an album of this kind (another of the album's relatively few flaws), but don't come in expecting Yoshimi or the best moments of Mystics. This is The Observer, Pavonis Mons, and The Wizard Turns On times four, interspersed with the occasional superb track. Treat it like one of Brian Eno's earlier, more rocking efforts and you'll appreciate it far more. Embryonic is largely new territory for the band. Is it top 10 material for the year? Yeah, probably. All I know is a handful of the tracks absolutely blow my mind, and they've brought back the distorted drums. They have been missed. __________________

09-17-2009, 06:08 PM	#300
impy13 ONE love, blood, life Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,414 Local Time: 08:18 AM	Just like entire neighborhood haven't gotten a taste of Lance's Mom's lips insanity. Sorry. __________________

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09-17-2009, 03:27 PM	#283
Lancemc Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ba Sing Se Posts: 17,690 Local Time: 03:18 PM	Thanks for the review Mel. This is streaming somewhere, yes?

09-17-2009, 05:16 PM	#289
GirlsAloudFan Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 26,430 Local Time: 02:18 PM	Listened to the first three songs on the Colbert stream and I already like it more than Mystics.

09-17-2009, 05:29 PM	#291
onebloodonelife Blue Crack Addict Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15,106 Local Time: 02:18 PM	You guys are tempting me.

09-17-2009, 05:30 PM	#292
Lancemc Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ba Sing Se Posts: 17,690 Local Time: 03:18 PM	Listened to the first 5 or 6 songs... no where close to as good as Mystics. But I'll give it the warmth and nurturing care it needs to grow on me.

09-17-2009, 05:37 PM	#295
impy13 ONE love, blood, life Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,414 Local Time: 08:18 AM	Well, if it helps at all, you know I'm doing the same.

09-17-2009, 05:43 PM	#296
onebloodonelife Blue Crack Addict Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 15,106 Local Time: 02:18 PM	Yep, and I'm assuming Scumbo will too, minus the vinyl part.

09-17-2009, 05:49 PM	#297
u2popmofo Blue Meth Addict Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utah Posts: 37,210 Local Time: 01:18 PM	Yes and yes.

09-17-2009, 05:54 PM	#298
impy13 ONE love, blood, life Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,414 Local Time: 08:18 AM	It's important to me that my first listen is in the living room, spinning on the platter, and loud enough to get me evicted.