Flaming Lips: Gimme a Break

[Geno]

I've heard an awful lot of fawning reviews of the Flaming Lips' various recordings, especially their surround-sound Hi-Rez recordings. I bought the DVD-A surround version of the "Soft Bulletin" just to see what all the hubbub was about. I can't believe I fell for this, but IMHO, this thing sounds like a bunch of 14-year-olds who overdosed listening to 10cc and Supertramp, then got their daddy to buy them a recording studio. The lead singer sounds like the spawn of Neil Young and Alfalfa.

Guess I'm just too old to appreciate this stuff, but, at my age, I guess I've heard it all before...

Of course, that's just my opinion - I could be wrong.

P.S. No offense meant to any of you 14-year-olds out there, but at your age you should be practicing, not recording...unless, of course, your last name is Mozart

 

[moverton]

In defense of the Fearless Freaks

I would highly recomend using the stereo version on the DVD-A. I think they went a little nuts with the surround mix.

Soft Bulletin is like many of the best albums, it takes several listening sessions to appreciate. The first few times it can be disconcerting. The first time I heard Electric Ladyland, Born to Run, Kind of Blue, A Love Supreme, Blood on the Tracks, This Year's Model, Ok Computer, Aqualung, and Close to the Edge (to name a few), I thought they were all a bit bizarre at best. Now they just sound great. Soft Bulletin fits in this group.

I agree also that his voice is unusual, but they said the same thing about Neil Young and Bob Dylan. It makes sense after a while.

 

[Starmax]

Flaming Lips

I agree with Geno about The Lips' vocals...and I thought I was the most tolerant person on the planet when it came to appreciating diverse musical styles and genres. Goes to show that nobody can like everything, no matter how open you try to be to it.

 

[Rob Babcock]

The Soft Bulletin is in my top 100 pop/rock recordings in all human history! That said, I'm not fond of the MC remix on DVD-A. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots on DVD-A is a much better mix. I love Wayne Coynes voice, reminiscent though it is of Neil Young, although I can understand how a person could be turned off by him.

BTW, no young kid here- I'm nearly 40.

 

[Geno]

The Soft Bulletin is in my top 100 pop/rock recordings in all human history! That said, I'm not fond of the MC remix on DVD-A. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots on DVD-A is a much better mix. I love Wayne Coynes voice, reminiscent though it is of Neil Young, although I can understand how a person could be turned off by him.

BTW, no young kid here- I'm nearly 40.

It's certainly true that personal taste is a very individual thing, so my remarks are only meant to convey my own take on this group. Since I've been listening to rock/pop since the dawn of Rock, I guess the decades have given me an overview of styles that I see being rehashed and copied. Some of the newer groups do a commendable job, while most others are, IMHO, just pale imitations of the originals. I'm always on the lookout for new artists with a genuinely fresh take on things, but I'm usually disappointed. BTW, I have shirts that are 40

 

[muncybob]

BTW, I have shirts that are 40

They should about be back in style now!!