| |
|
Music Archives:
Most Recent
| Highest
Rated | Alphabetical
| Highest Rated 2006
Power Brokers
 |
|
The Flaming Lips: At War With the Mystics
Warner Bros., 2006
Rating: 4.3
|
|
Posted:
March 31,
2006
By
Laurence Station
"We got the power now, motherfuckers, that's where it belongs." This
arresting line, from “The W.A.N.D. (The Will Always Negates Defeat)”,
tidily encapsulates the irritated tone permeating At War With the
Mystics, The Flaming Lips’ 12th full-length release. The Lips have
never been regarded as the most topical of bands, yet Mystics
atypically finds them sounding off on the current state of worldly
events (from fanatical suicide bombers to the policy choices of the Bush
administration). Not that the Oklahoma trio will be confused for Billy
Bragg and his cohorts in a political rabble-rousers lineup, but the very
fact that the Lips have decided to vent against the perceived unsettled
state of global affairs marks Mystics as a unique addition to the
band’s catalog.
In typical Lips fashion, however, Mystics possesses a charm and
whimsy very much in line with past efforts. While this approach tends to
dampen the force of the band’s protest, it nonetheless accomplishes the
larger goal of making for an enjoyable and engaging listening
experience. Kicking off with the bouncy psych-pop of “The Yeah Yeah Yeah
Song... (With All Your Power)”, lead singer and lyricist Wayne Coyne
challenges the decisions of those in power while also questioning what
the complainers would do if given the same authority. This dichotomy of
an innocuous, playful melody wedded to serious lyrics is explored
repeatedly throughout the album.
“My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion” features pastoral chirping-bird samples
while slamming people hung up on negativity (“Don’t you believe them /
They’ll destroy you with their lies”); “Mr. Ambulance Driver” examines
the anxious moments between injury and assistance (“Waiting for the
ambulance to come / Hoping it doesn’t come too late”) to an oddly
comforting, subdued beat that inexplicably overpowers a nerve-rattling
siren sample threaded through the background. And the album's highlight
-- the aforementioned “The W.A.N.D.” -- pulls off this dual-aspect
approach with nimble proficiency, taking a fuzzed-out bassline and
crackling electric guitar work that appears to be headed off into some
densely woven prog-rock hemisphere, and instead using it as a backdrop
for assaulting destructive political agendas (“They got the weapons to
solve all your questions”).
Naturally, Mystics wouldn’t be a true Lips album sans
tripped-out, spacey instrumental detours (“The Wizard Turns On...”) and
completely unfettered speculation regarding the ultimate purpose of
being (“Vein of Stars”). But the earthbound, anxious and somewhat
pissed-off attitude is what stands out and makes the strongest
impression.
Ever the optimist, Coyne refuses to go out on a sour note, however, as
the resigned but oddly blissful “Goin' On” expresses: Whatever assorted
crap we earthlings are currently dealing with looks like small potatoes
in regards to the Big Picture. The times may indeed be a-changin’, but
for the Lips it’s just another fascinating wrinkle in the cosmic fabric
of space and time. We have the power, indeed.
Site
design copyright © 2001-2007 Shaking Through.net. All original artwork,
photography and text used on this site is the sole copyright of the respective creator(s)/author(s). Reprinting, reposting, or citing any of the original
content appearing on this site without the written consent of Shaking
Through.net is strictly forbidden. Contact us at
shaking@shakingthrough.net if
you wish to use any of the material published here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
