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Artist: The Flaming Lips
Album: “Embryonic”
Release Date: October 13, 2009
Record Label: Warner
Rating: A-
From its alternative psychedelic-rock days with “Clouds Taste Metallic,” to the more audacious and experimental “Zaireeka,” to its more contemporary “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots,” The Flaming Lips have covered a wide range of musical styles over its 12-album career. But it is hard to classify what the band has done with “Embryonic.”
Many fans and critics were disappointed with the last album, “At War With the Mystics.” It was very straight rock music and uncharacteristically it contained political statements within the lyrics. With “Embryonic,” the band has switched from a rock mentality to a more intimate and poignant style. The album is not a statement, but instead a state of mind.
The album questions the human mental state and why humans do the strange things they do. The track “If” takes an affectionate look at humans’ evil tendencies and their gentle sides and how humans have control over their own decisions. This theme is noticeable from the band’s other songs, as the word “embryonic” was mentioned in “Moth in the Incubator,” a track from the band’s 1993 release “Transmissions from the Satellite Heart.” This reoccurring theme is reminiscent of Coyne’s atheist beliefs, which are well documented in both his songs and interviews. But these values never dominate the band’s music and always seem like a secondary consideration.
Frontman Wayne Coyne treats his voice as another instrument in the band’s sound with less focus on conveying a message. A perfect example is the track “I Can Be a Frog.” The song features one of two appearances by Karen O (singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) on the album. Coyne says such lines as “I can be a frog” or “I can be a monkey” while Karen O makes animal noises in the background. The song has no agenda and shows the band’s focus on lyrics is much less linear than your average band.
After twenty years, The Flaming Lips are still at the top of its game and this is the band’s master album.
Travis Bean can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 275
