Embryonically Disappointed
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 6:53am
As a fan of the Lips for a decently long time, I am profoundly disappointed by their latest effort. I feel they have traded in a nuanced approach to songwriting for a, frankly, stupid approach that is mainly centered around noise and volume. I have read people appraising Embryonic as a throw back to the Transmissions... days, but to write such is to insult a fantastic 90's rock record.
I sincerely hope that the Lips have gotten their mid-life crisis out of their systems and will soon return to form.
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 3:04pm
#2
It's their best album since
It's their best album since Soft Bulletin, and I'm very, very happy that they've released such a breath of fresh air this late into their career. Very, very few bands are capable of this.
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 4:49pm
#3
You seriously need to look up
ZFwright, you seriously need to look up what appraising means.
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 9:33pm
#4
My Opinion
I think referring to the Lips as "going through a mid-life crisis" and calling their approach "stupid" is rude and immature personally. No disrespect intended to you ZFWright but to be honest, imagine you worked on an album as hard as they have, shared it with the public only to have someone call it stupid?
I'm not saying you have to dig everything they do or anything but at least show a little bit of objectivity and grace to not insult a band that has worked as hard as the Lips to make original music.
Kindness = Intelligence
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Mon, 10/26/2009 - 12:24am
#5
i dont see how people who
i dont see how people who dont like the new album refer to it as "noise".
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 8:29am
#6
sydbarrett5 wrote:I think
I think referring to the Lips as "going through a mid-life crisis" and calling their approach "stupid" is rude and immature personally. No disrespect intended to you ZFWright but to be honest, imagine you worked on an album as hard as they have, shared it with the public only to have someone call it stupid?
I'm not saying you have to dig everything they do or anything but at least show a little bit of objectivity and grace to not insult a band that has worked as hard as the Lips to make original music.
Kindness = Intelligence
I'm not saying you have to dig everything they do or anything but at least show a little bit of objectivity and grace to not insult a band that has worked as hard as the Lips to make original music.
Kindness = Intelligence
even pink floyd said ummagumma was a 'bad cut'.... with that being said, if were camparing them to pink floyd, this album feels like the wall. i will only listen to it when i want to do some soul searching, like a long drive at night or have the time to listen to it as a whole. its not something u can put in and skip around to ur favorite tunes on the way to the local store, it onle makes sense as a whole. i think like 5 or so years down the line after some more releases it will make more sense if u look at there discography as a whole... i mean if they came out with a country album i wouldnt have to listen to any other band!! jk ;)
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 10:02am
#7
I love Embryonic. Yet I must
I love Embryonic. Yet I must say that I'm a bit surprised that more people aren't reacting as you are ZFW. When I first heard the album it touched my soul in a new way. My first experiences with The Flaming Lips music was very visceral and based in the humor, punk attitude, and sheer chaotic face melting assault of what they do. When "Hit to Death..." was released I was a bit worried that they were trying to become a pop band, but donning a pair of headphones I understood the brilliance of their maturing experiment in sound. It seems they perfected this phase of catchy melodies combined with lush, almost symphonic arrangements with "Yoshimi" . By this time it was the inventiveness of the music and the poetry of the lyrics which
garnered my love for the band.
Many musical groups simply evolve in the predictable manner from rough gems to polished diamonds. Most groups,upon reaching their shiny apex, end up producing mediocre work and then dissolve into the land of "legacy band".
What a crime it would be to see the Lips wuss out in this way, as so many great band have
(ugh look at Pink Floyd or the Who).
Embryonic is a bold, non commercial move for the Lips taking the music into experimental territory which is both seductive and dangerous. I couldn't believe it when I heard it actually made it into the Billboard charts. Its simply unheard of for music like this to get such attention. On Embryonic the Flaming Lips wear their humanity on their sleeve. Not striving for perfection, but instead reveling in the messy interaction between humans and music.
What may sound noisy and sloppy is, upon closer listening, the sound of a lab experiment come to life. New ways of making music are not always smooth and beautiful in a way we are used to.
I thought this album would alienate more fans than it has. I'm glad it hasn't and I'm really happy to hear these combinations of sounds and recording techniques coming together in a whole new way without sounding self indulgent or experimental for its own sake.
ZFW, Don't give up on the Lips. This album may just not be right for your current state of mind, but I can almost guarantee that they have many wonderful surprises in store for anyone who appreciates what they do.
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beyond tomorrow
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 11:05am
#8
I think comaprisons can be
I think comaprisons can be made to Embryonic and the Wall. While the Roger Water-less Pink Floyd did go on to become a watered down legacy band, their real climax was with that risk taking double album and the biggest tour in the history of music, period. The Wall tour changed how we see rock concerts with it's innovation in sound quality and ideas. No "greatest hits" were played on the tour, just the Wall and a real life Wall was built between the audience and the band during the show. That takes balls, and I think Embryonic certainly takes balls. Both say "It's late in our career and we don't give a fuck what you think", and that's incredibly rare. When I compare that to the latest Wilco and Radiohead releases, I applaud the Flaming Lips. This is a band that still sounds energized, that still looks to push boundaries whereas Wilco and Radiohead just sound like they are in a holding pattern, repeating the same sounds and ideas from previous records, afraid to take that risk.
The Lips are a very rare breed of artist who truly don't give a fuck what critics think, and who truly folow their own vision regardless of trends.
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 1:09pm
#9
the best thing that could have happened
I agree that some of Embryonic is harsh and hard to listen to, but I also think it's their best record since The Soft Bulletin. And while we'd love for groups to continue in the same vein as their greatest records, we need for them to grow and push their own limits (after all, when The Soft Bulletin was released it didn't look or sound like any of their previous records). The best thing for any band is to be reinvigorated and to be excited about the music that they're creating and playing; I think that Embryonic shows that The Flaming Lips are still a vital and important band (and the fact that they're producing this record 26 years into their career is mindblowing). It's a really wonderful set of music, with peaks and troughs and amazing sounds. No, I probably won't listen to it as much as I've listened to some of their other records in the past, but I'm totally glad that they made it.
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 1:40pm
#10
Camper wrote:I think
I think comaprisons can be made to Embryonic and the Wall. While the Roger Water-less Pink Floyd did go on to become a watered down legacy band, their real climax was with that risk taking double album and the biggest tour in the history of music, period. The Wall tour changed how we see rock concerts with it's innovation in sound quality and ideas. No "greatest hits" were played on the tour, just the Wall and a real life Wall was built between the audience and the band during the show. That takes balls, and I think Embryonic certainly takes balls. Both say "It's late in our career and we don't give a fuck what you think", and that's incredibly rare. When I compare that to the latest Wilco and Radiohead releases, I applaud the Flaming Lips. This is a band that still sounds energized, that still looks to push boundaries whereas Wilco and Radiohead just sound like they are in a holding pattern, repeating the same sounds and ideas from previous records, afraid to take that risk.
The Lips are a very rare breed of artist who truly don't give a fuck what critics think, and who truly folow their own vision regardless of trends.
im gonna have to disagree with you on the radiohead comment. no radiohead record has ever sounded like the last one, they're always doing something new and innovative, much like the flaming lips have been doing, which is why the lips and radiohead are my 2 favorite bands. the only 2 radiohead records that maybe sounded the same were kid a and amnesiac, but that s only because they were recorded at the same exact time just released at different times. listen to radiohead's recent tracks they've released (These Are My Twisted Words, Harry Patch) and you'll see how ever changing they are, much like the flaming lips.
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 3:27pm
#11
I agree
Embryonic isn't terrible but it isn't great either. I listen to it and say 'oh, this isn't THAT bad', then I listen to The Soft Bulletin... big mistake. I am happy to see they made the billboard though.
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 4:09pm
#12
yes in rainbows is a soul
yes in rainbows is a soul record.
it isnt anything like the previous album (which was kind of off...)
or kid a or amnesiac.
honestly in rainbows is quite brilliant and a beautiful record.
radiohead at their most motown soul.
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 4:09pm
#13
It was just time for another
It was just time for another change...they tend to shake up their approach every 4 years or so... honestly we were due for a change.
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 5:13pm
#14
joshminton89 wrote:im gonna
im gonna have to disagree with you on the radiohead comment. no radiohead record has ever sounded like the last one, they're always doing something new and innovative, much like the flaming lips have been doing, which is why the lips and radiohead are my 2 favorite bands. the only 2 radiohead records that maybe sounded the same were kid a and amnesiac, but that s only because they were recorded at the same exact time just released at different times. listen to radiohead's recent tracks they've released (These Are My Twisted Words, Harry Patch) and you'll see how ever changing they are, much like the flaming lips.
Completely disagree. They've been kind of stuck on that clean guitar intro sound for the last few records (Amnesiac, HTTT, In Rainbows). None of those albums are "a left turn" from each other, but rather quite similar in style and substance(also, the song quality is a very large drop off from their peak run of The Bends to Kid A). Embroynic is a much, much bigger departure in sound from the previous record, more like from Ok Computer to Kid A. Harry Patch and Twisted Words sound like the stuff they have been doing since Amnesiac. They really haven't been like the Lips since Kid A in terms of radical left turn in sound. IR was especially mainstream. I also thought the Lips last true transformation would be the Soft Bulletin, but they really pulled an amazing feat out of their hat with Embryonic.
No other big rock act takes risks like the Flaming Lips have done on Embryonic. It's just a radical, free form experimental record.
Mon, 10/26/2009 - 5:36pm
#15
i dont see how you can see
i dont see how you can see Twisted words and harry patch as something sounding like amnesiac. if anything twisted words is like a glimpse at the dark side of in rainbows. there's much more depth and stylistic change is radioheads music over the course of each record that you're just not really seeing.
Tue, 10/27/2009 - 2:35am
#16
Not really. Big stylistic
Not really. Big stylistic changes would be OK Computer to Kid A, or Mystics to Embryonic. Radiohead has kind of made a variation of "Mystics"(if you will) since Kid A. There's nothing radical or revolutionary about anything since Kid A. Definitely a holding pattern of sorts.
Embryonic *truly* is a huge risk and jump in sound.
Tue, 10/27/2009 - 3:39am
#17
dood. you think kid a sounds
dood. you think kid a sounds like amnsesiac?
in rainbows is a soul record.
it is radiohead on motown.
marvin gaye. its sexy sultry with all the other dark radiohead stylistic stuff.
I love it personally. best thing they have put out since ok computer.
Tue, 10/27/2009 - 6:16am
#18
No, I think IR, HTTT and
No, I think IR, HTTT and Amnesiac are all mining the same vein with very slight fluctuations. Certainly there's no departure or radical sound change like Mystics to Embryonic. Now that is taking chances.
Tue, 10/27/2009 - 6:51am
#19
Camper wrote:No, I think IR,
No, I think IR, HTTT and Amnesiac are all mining the same vein with very slight fluctuations. Certainly there's no departure or radical sound change like Mystics to Embryonic. Now that is taking chances.
IR is still a great record. one of the best of that year. Doesntm atter if it is "mining hte same vein" (ok lester bang and blame)
But it sounds completely different from the weak HTTT and the b sides of kid a amneisac (which itself is solid and hauntingly beautiful)
IR is the most honest and up front album they have released. beautiful and soulful. so pretty. takes away all the harshness of the previous 2 albums.
Tue, 10/27/2009 - 7:29am
#20
We will agree to disagree. I
We will agree to disagree. "There There" sounds a lot like some of the stuff on IR. I find all of the post Kid A work to be mediocre except for "Pyramid Song", which is great.
Tue, 10/27/2009 - 8:32am
#21
Camper wrote:We will agree to
We will agree to disagree. "There There" sounds a lot like some of the stuff on IR. I find all of the post Kid A work to be mediocre except for "Pyramid Song", which is great.
LOL. Nuggies.
Well you win.
Tue, 10/27/2009 - 1:35pm
#22
theglow wrote:ZFwright, you
ZFwright, you seriously need to look up what appraising means.
Haha i second that. While we're on the subject of grammar, ZFwright should also know that the phrase "centered around" really makes no sense if you think about it and should never be used. "Centered on" is the correct usage.
Tue, 10/27/2009 - 4:14pm
#23
Hey, this is a freaky
Hey, this is a freaky psychedelic acid rock band from Oklahoma City. I'm not sure who you thought you were dealing with?!!
(...is what I meant to say.)
__________________
After the ecstasy, the laundry.
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 1:21am
#24
yes, radiohead havent made as
yes, radiohead havent made as huge of jumps between their last 3 or 4 records but that doesnt mean there's not any significant sort of change in sound. i dont see how you put amnesiac, httt and in rainbows in the same vein. i see ok computer as their large jump to kid a/amnesiac stuff the hail to the thief as kind of this fusion of ok computer and their kid a/amnesiac works, then in rainbows is them going off in a new direction.
i mean i love the flaming lips but at least radiohead explores more than a couple themes in their music. i mean lyrically, the flaming lips have been creating the same record since the soft bulletin, aside from the handful of "political" songs on at war with the mystics.
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 8:06am
#25
i wouldnt say that i'm
i wouldnt say that i'm disappointed with embryonic. it is by far not my favorite lips album but i totally appreciate the new direction and sound. i do think that it would be a wholly better record if they had left off about 4 of the 'zodiac' tracks and I Can Be A Frog.
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 8:31am
#26
ramonefvk wrote:i wouldnt say
i wouldnt say that i'm disappointed with embryonic. it is by far not my favorite lips album but i totally appreciate the new direction and sound. i do think that it would be a wholly better record if they had left off about 4 of the 'zodiac' tracks and I Can Be A Frog.
i can be a frog is the same song as watching the planets, just without the kickass drums... smae chords and all
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 9:12am
#27
i love i can be a frog, and
i love i can be a frog, and the only song i guess i could do without is scorpio sword, and i dont even hate it, it just doesnt really sound like a well put together song. sounds like a band warming up before a show or something. other than that i like all the other zodiac songs. i love how silver trembling hands blends into virgo self esteem broadcast. beautiful
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 9:54am
#28
joshminton89 wrote:yes,
yes, radiohead havent made as huge of jumps between their last 3 or 4 records but that doesnt mean there's not any significant sort of change in sound. i dont see how you put amnesiac, httt and in rainbows in the same vein. i see ok computer as their large jump to kid a/amnesiac stuff the hail to the thief as kind of this fusion of ok computer and their kid a/amnesiac works, then in rainbows is them going off in a new direction.
Not really IMHO. Every thing after Kid A has a samey vibe to it. I feel like Radiohead is at where The Lips were around Mystics. Will they come out with A b-side sounding thing to IR or a complete left turn like Embroynic?
i mean i love the flaming lips but at least radiohead explores more than a couple themes in their music. i mean lyrically, the flaming lips have been creating the same record since the soft bulletin, aside from the handful of "political" songs on at war with the mystics.
You make it sound like Yorke is Dylan or Waters. Not many people listen to Radiohead for the lyrics, that's for sure.
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 12:14pm
#29
WELL scorpio sword is similar
WELL scorpio sword is similar to some of sonny sharrocks stuff.
go listen to ask the ages or monkey pockie boo and realize the beauty and amazing play of sonny sharrock.
also radioheads kid a sounds nothing like in rainbows. thats laughable.
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 1:36pm
#30
Graggor - You aren't paying
Graggor - You aren't paying attention. I never said Kid A sounds like IR. Kid A was their last true "revolution" in sound ,and a better comparison with Embryonic IMHO.
I see where you're coming from, but I don't agree. Embryonic as a whole is plenty mind blowing, head expanding, conscience raising. It's really a beautiful record, IMO, a fine addition to their repertoire. And, gee, don't you just get the feeling that the Lips will come back and give this type of fan what they want?
After the ecstasy, the laundry.
After the ecstasy, the laundry.