The latest full-length album from Oklahoma’s most prolific acid-rockers the Flaming Lips has all of the telltale signs of a Flaming Lips album; psychedelia, explosive moments of creativity, strange effects, and the identifiable space-age vocals and existential lyrics from front man Wayne Coyne. This is, however, yet another step in yet another musical direction, with more of a funky laid-back vibe throughout. The songs also vary more widely in subject matter, with brash protest songs, weird and quirky pop tunes, as well as what Coyne describes as 'songs about life, death, and what it means to be alive'.
The first single “the W.A.N.D’ (the Will Always Negates Defeat), is an incredibly funky and radio-friendly Lips song which was inspired in true Lips fashion by a homeless Vietnamese man in Oklahoma City who looked like a wizard and used a stick to battle off whatever imaginary enemies he was facing at the time. Coyne goes on to describe the incident…
“... it seemed to give him a confidence that allowed him to defeat his hallucinations... and at first I thought ‘how sad... he believes this old stick is saving him’... but the more I thought about it, the more I envied him in a way... for the evil manifestations of his mind he invented a sparkling sorcerer's baton to lead his psychic revolution... yes!!”
The song then took on a viewpoint of radical protest and personal empowerment that fits snuggly into their existentially charged ideology. “In the song, we rail against the greedy, corrupt evil beings who are in control and trying to enslave us... But our rebellion is simply to fight back - we have no solutions.”
Most of the songs on this album come from similarly interesting and weird inspirations, which makes this album even more interesting. “Free Radicals”, a surprisingly funky song that almost sounds like Prince was inspired by a dream about someone pleading with a suicide bomber and then sympathizing with their frustrations. Coyne makes it clear, however, that these suicide bombers are “simply brainwashed religious fanaticals that are insane with their own agenda... they are beyond any pleads of reason and are not worthy of any sympathy.”
“It Overtakes Me” is another rockingly funky song about the ‘cosmic reality’ of existence, and “sounds like a mashing of "Hollaback Girl" and "1969" by The Stooges.” “Haven’t Got a Clue” and “Yeah Yeah Yeah Song” are both scathing commentaries on the powers at be, packaged neatly in catchy alt-pop fashion. The slower, more lyrically driven songs such as “Goin’ On” and “Vein of Stars” are reminiscent of classic Lips tracks. “Mr. Ambulance Driver”, which was on the Wedding Crashers soundtrack, is another great laid back pop tune dealing with life and death.
Unlike their previous album “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots”, “At War…” seems to lack an overall concept, although it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The more poppy, danceable songs fit well with the Lips’ high energy style, and make the more out-there spacey jams seem that much weirder and more comfortable. The success of their previous two albums has definitely put some high expectations on them, but these Oklahoma natives don’t have time to worry about critics… they’re too busy battling psychic forces and lyrically stabbing at the rich and powerful. Maybe this isn’t “fill in the blank album”, but the Flaming Lips hold such a huge place in the creative community that it really doesn’t matter. Don’t get me wrong, this album is really good, and the funk that bubbles under some of these songs is almost addictive.
So dust off your dancing shoes and your wizard hat, go buy this album, and support one of the biggest bands to come out of Oklahoma in a long, long time. Whether you’re a Flaming Lips fanatic, or just into really creative, crazy music, put this album on and have a good time. I give it four out of five tricked out magic sticks.
www.flaminglips.com
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