Tag Archives: Flaming Lips

Entertainment, Lists, Music

Most Disappointing LPs of 2009

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No order.

1. The Thermals – Now We Can See – Before listening to this, I was exposed to just a few Thermals songs. That said, I’ve held this band in high regard. This LP was rather disappointing mainly because it was filled to the brim with pop-punk songs that weren’t eccentric enough for me.

2. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest – For me, a lot of what made Grizzly Bear “epic” was nowhere to be found on here. Okay, there are a few songs that I really dig from this LP, but in general I’d say Grizzly Bear changed their direction to a more prim and proper baroque-pop style with less experimental flair than ever before.

3. Lovely Feathers – Fantasy of the Lot – Hind Hind Legs (2006) was an amazing disc. So amazing that I don’t think Lovely Feathers could ever out do it, even if they tried really really hard. This LP has some really strong points, but it kind of has a weird pace that’s all over the place. I just thought Hind had an immaculate flow. This really doesn’t.

4. Flaming Lips – Embryonic – Considering I’ve only listened to the “hits” from these guys, I sort of had a gut feeling that this album would be filled with catchy songs! Was I ever more disappointed? Save maybe one or two songs, this wasn’t memorable for me at all. It was mainly sound.

5. Japandroids – Post-Nothing – This thing is shockingly similar to Now We Can See. I’d say it’s straight up noise rock with a strong pop-punk undertone. Based on the initial reception of this album, I was excited! Then I actually listened to it and was mildly disappointed.

CD Review, Entertainment, Music

CD Review: Embryonic

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Band: The Flaming Lips
Label: Warner Brothers
Release: October 13, 2009

1. “Convinced of the Hex” – 8.8
2. “The Sparrow Looks Up At The Machine” – 8.4
3. “Evil” – 8.5
4. “Aquarius Sabotage” – 7.7
5. “See The Leaves” – 8.0
6. “If” – 8.5
7. “Gemini Syringes” –  7.3
8. “Your Bats” – 7.5
9. “Powerless” – 7.5
10. “The Ego’s Last Stand” – 7.2
11. “I Can Be A Frog” – 7.4
12. “Sagittarius Silver Announcement” – 8.3
13. “Worm Mountain” – 8.6
14. “Scorpio Sword” – 7.4
15. “The Impulse” – 7.9
16. “Silver Trembling Hands” – 8.4
17. “Virgo Self-Esteem Broadcast” – 6.3
18. “Watching The Planets” – 8.8

Comments: I can reason why this album is getting great reviews. The Flaming Lips have been around since 1983. They’ve been making pretty good music over the years. Initially it sounds sort of boring…at least in contrast to what it’s hyped up to be. Yay, space rock. It’s not exactly a surprise to me that Flaming Lips are covering Dark Side of the Moon. “Evil” sounds like a leftover track from that classic. I don’t know maybe this album is too far out for me, but I don’t see a lot of replay-ability in any of these songs. Somebody answer me this: is there anything on here as awesome as “The W.A.N.D” or “Do You Realize?” Please inform me if there is because I might have missed something.

Grade: 7.9

==Track listing==
<!– THESE TIMINGS ARE BASED UPON THE ORIGINAL VINYL RELEASE – DO NOT CHANGE OR YOUR EDITS WILL BE REVERTED –>
{{tracklist
| headline        = Side one
| all_lyrics      = Roger Waters
| music_credits   = yes
| extra_column    = Lead vocals
| title1          = [[Speak to Me]]
| music1          = Mason
| extra1          = [[Instrumental]]
| length1         = 1:30
| title2          = [[Breathe (Pink Floyd song)|Breathe]]
| music2          = Waters, Gilmour, Wright
| extra2          = Gilmour
| length2         = 2:43
| title3          = [[On the Run (Pink Floyd song)|On the Run]]
| music3          = Gilmour, Waters
| extra3          = Instrumental
| length3         = 3:30
| title4          = [[Time (Pink Floyd song)|Time]]
| note4           = containing “[[Breathe (Reprise)]]”
| music4          = Mason, Waters, Wright, Gilmour
| extra4          = Gilmour and Wright
| length4         = 6:53
| title5          = [[The Great Gig in the Sky]]
| music5          = Wright, Clare Torry{{#tag:ref|All post-2005 pressings including “The Great Gig in the Sky” credit both Wright and Torry for the song, as per her successful court challenge.<ref>{{Harvnb|Povey|2007|p=161.}}</ref>|group=”nb”}}
| extra5          = Clare Torry
| length5         = 4:15
}}
<!– THESE TIMINGS ARE BASED UPON THE ORIGINAL VINYL RELEASE – DO NOT CHANGE OR YOUR EDITS WILL BE REVERTED –>
{{tracklist
| headline        = Side two
| music_credits   = yes
| extra_column    = Lead vocals
| title1          = [[Money (Pink Floyd song)|Money]]
| music1          = Waters
| extra1          = Gilmour
| length1         = 6:30
| title2          = [[Us and Them (song)|Us and Them]]
| music2          = Waters, Wright
| extra2          = Gilmour and Wright
| length2         = 7:34
| title3          = [[Any Colour You Like]]
| music3          = Gilmour, Mason, Wright
| extra3          = Instrumental
| length3         = 3:24
| title4          = [[Brain Damage (song)|Brain Damage]]
| music4          = Waters
| extra4          = Waters
| length4         = 3:50
| title5          = [[Eclipse (song)|Eclipse]]
| music5          = Waters
| extra5          = Waters
| length5         = 1:45
}}