The Flaming Lips new al***

Posted by: Simon Matthews on 24 April 2006

Wow.

'At war with the Mystics' is a brilliant album. As left field as ever but with a more melodic heart to all the songs. There are some absolutely magical moments on an album that can swing from madness to moments of extreme beauty within a moment. Anybody else out there finding this a great listen?
Posted on: 24 April 2006 by AlanM
Simon,

I don't have it yet but it's on my list of CD's to buy. If it's anything like Yoshimi (she's a black belt in karate, you know) then it should be pretty good.

did you go to the Albert Hall gig on saturday ? If so, was it any good ?

regards,
Alan
Posted on: 25 April 2006 by Simon Matthews
No - only heard about it late in the day. I was lucky to see them at Glastonbury a couple of years ago - great entertainment.

As much as I love Yoshimi I think this one is better.
Posted on: 25 April 2006 by woodface
Not totally convinced by the new album, certainly not as good as Yoshimi. Simon, do you not think it is a touch over long for the content on offer? I think some tighter editing would bring great dividends.
Posted on: 25 April 2006 by Simon Matthews
Woodface - I have to say that I don't hear it that way. To me this album is just a sonic delight. So many beatiful moments and ideas captured within a great bunch of songs. Yoshimi is great IMO but I actually think The soft Bulletin the better album. Race for the prize is hairs on the back of the neck stuff.

Anyhow, its all great music as far as I am concerned. I hope the new one grows on you.
Posted on: 25 April 2006 by thirty three and a third
I second that on the Soft Bulletin. Clouds Taste Metallic is their best though. Winker
Posted on: 26 April 2006 by woodface
Hi All, I do have Soft Bulletin and agree it is a great album. I will of course persevere with the new one; I am afraid it is one of my bug bears that current albums are often too long, a cas of ideas not matching ambition! I think there is a tendency for band to use up the available space on CD's becuase they can rather should; for me the high water mark is the 40 minute (or less album). For example, Katie Lied by SD clocks in at under 40 mins but has a range of ideas and invention lost on most releases.
Posted on: 26 April 2006 by Simon Matthews
Well we tend to agree on anything steely dan! I agree that some modern albums would benefit from some selective pruning. Kate was clever with her last one by making, in effect, two albums within one.
Posted on: 26 April 2006 by thejejk
quote:
Originally posted by Simon Matthews:
Kate was clever with her last one by making, in effect, two albums within one.


Not so clever in my opinion - double albums are the worst kind - they take forever to "burn in" in my brain. One nice aspect though is that often one of the cds gets overlooked and in time might grow on you, a kind of surprise.

I think all the Lips' albums are pretty different to each other, making it hard to pick a favorite.

Not even a week until I'm going to see them here in Stockholm!

Regards,
Jacob