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The Flaming Lips

Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (2002)
Warner Music Group

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Contributed by: Eddie
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on September 5th 2003

I bought this album not really knowing what to expect. All I knew was that every major music critic loved it, and that they had a huge Internet fan following. I had no idea what their sound was like. Now, I admit, I didn’t like it at first. I just didn’t “get” it. I kept asking myself “this is what everyone’s been talking about?” I thought it was just the same as Radiohead. (It’s an acquired taste, for sure.)

But under all the apparent weirdness is one of the most creative, most innovative, most beautifully-crafted albums I’ve ever heard. This is pure ambition and pure fun. The Flaming Lips don’t fall for any musical clichés, and can think up pretty much anything and make it sound “normal”.

From opening to close, the CD is filled with addictive sounds and a crazy array of instruments. No two songs sound the same, and each one is completely memorable. “Fight Test” opens the disc up, and it’s the best song to start things off. It’s incredibly catchy and easy to take. Which is a good thing, when you consider what’s to come. I also really enjoy the smooth pop of “In the Morning of the Magicians”, “It’s Summertime” (which, with its sweet whistles, and calm repetition, really “feels” like summer), the gangly “Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell”, “Are You a Hypnotist??” (a pleasantly gloomy tune), and every other song.

But my definite favorite highlights are “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots”, parts one and two. Part one has wacky lyrics, infectious guitars and drums, and it’s an all-around fun song. Part two is even more exciting. It’s completely instrumental and represents the battle between Yoshimi and the pink robots. And it’s down-right, great entertainment. My other favorite song is “Do You Realize??”. Listen to that three times, and see what’s going through your head. It’s insanely original, more upbeat, and has wonderful lyrics.

To some people, this may just be obnoxious, nonsensical noise. But to me, the mind-boggling Flaming Lips deserve a lot of credit for trying something new. While I listen to this, I just forget everything else. It totally consumes me, and all I can think about is how talented these guys are. They slowly yet furiously pull you into their obscure, peculiar world filled with all sorts of wonderful harmonies, contagious melodies, and everything in between. It's powerfully original.

And that’s punk to me.

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Anonymous (April 27, 2006)

one of the greatest albums ive heard in a very long time. never heard anything else like it. it is an album that must be bought. and listened to over and over

Anonymous (February 20, 2006)

Flaming Lips are awsome. Fuck the nah-shit talkin sluts.

dignin (September 12, 2003)

noones stopping you

Anonymous (September 11, 2003)

what the hell?

this band is ridiculous and awful. what the hell is wrong with you people?

I am going to go kill myself.

Anonymous (September 11, 2003)

Its purty good for getting all feminine and stuff. Not really rock and roll tho.

501 (September 9, 2003)

Great review pal... youve definatly got me interested.

eyeball_kid (September 9, 2003)

Thank Jeebus!

Eddie (September 8, 2003)

eddie used to write reviews of mxpx, new found glory, blink 182, and good charlotte.

You'll notice that most of those reviews are about a couple years old. My musical tastes have definitely matured since then. :)

GreenVandal (September 8, 2003)

I think its weird that this album hasnt drawn a single insult yet (where the fuck is BSD?) Not that I mind, I respect the lips alot. I just expected less from you crazy hooligans.

dignin (September 8, 2003)

well thats where your wrong, because they have being "original" and "experimental" in common, also they appeal to much of the same fan base.

Anonymous (September 8, 2003)

I think by the definitions of "original" and "experimental," you can't really compare the 2 groups.

dignin (September 7, 2003)

"good review, brilliant album, but how would you get the impression that this sounds like radiohead?!? totally different music."

esthetically their different, but they both make original/experimental rock

eyeball_kid (September 7, 2003)

By my reckoning that's the best album that Eddie ever reviewed. This doesn't get 10 cos it doesn't have 'Waiting for a Superman' on it. But hot damn it's good...and so is Pig Lib.

Anonymous (September 7, 2003)

good review, brilliant album, but how would you get the impression that this sounds like radiohead?!? totally different music.

dignin (September 7, 2003)

stephen and the jicks are good, but they dont hold a candle to pavement.

Anonymous (September 6, 2003)

To the guy asking about when the new Pavement will be cool...Pavement broke up. But check out Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.

Anonymous (September 6, 2003)

eddie used to write reviews of mxpx, new found glory, blink 182, and good charlotte.

Anonymous (September 6, 2003)

how to get the hey mercedes cd?wait til october 8th, then go buy it.

travis (September 6, 2003)

see scott, you really do need to come to seattle so we can hang out punknews.org style. this just proves it.

TJmoney (September 6, 2003)

I know a guy who...when he blows his nose, he don't use tissues...he uses maaaaa-gazines

annonymous (September 5, 2003)

How to get the Hey Mercedes cd?..... still my question that noone answers

p.s. Flaming lips are pretty good

ElVaquero (September 5, 2003)

i just can't take too much of this band in one sitting, like the guy said, too much emu.

FortyMinutesWest (September 5, 2003)

Emu!?! Where!? Kill it!

REALPUNX4LIFE (September 5, 2003)

Flaymeen lipz r emu manstrem popp rox not 4 punx rox0rz at al n ppl hoo lisan 2 thm r poseurz n not punx rox0rz t all becuz thar punx0r!!! not!!! omg wtf!!! oi oi oi!!!

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

Yeah no Hey Mercedes reviews?

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

Is this a slow friday review day or what?

relay1112 (September 5, 2003)

Good, but Soft Bulletin really is still their best.

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

this is teh rawk

maverick (September 5, 2003)

Damn right, Travis. My sentiments exactly.

-Scott

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

Yea CLouds Taste Metallic is awesome....my personal favorite i think

Mr_Pink (September 5, 2003)

I still love Clouds Taste Metallic best. But this is great, too.

sk8punx4evr (September 5, 2003)

fight test was the theme song to 3-south. 3-south, you are sorely missed.

travis (September 5, 2003)

great album, but it cant top Soft Bulletin

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

Cool band. It's wierd I listened to this band in like '94 (I feel old) and they were semi-popular. All of a sudden they release this and I hear about them all the time after all these years, kinda like the last Sonic Youth album. It's kind of like a second comming out of no where. Anyway, good album...so anyone know when the new Pavement will be cool?

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

Yeah I own this sucker on Lp. Its great. Who would have thought that the band that brought you such trash as that "She don't like Jelly" song, could bring you this beautiful album?

Barkley

Anonymous (September 5, 2003)

awesome