The Flaming Lips: At War With the Mystics!!

[sts9fan]

Let me just say that this is a very good album. It has the lips moving back to stuff more like Transmissions and Clouds Taste Metallic then Yoshimi or The Soft Bulletin. I can't wait to go see them on 3/31 and 4/1 in NYC!! Webster Hall!! 1399 other people + me and the lips = a sweet time!!

 

[moverton]

Been waiting for this one for a long time.

First day- a little worried. Doesn't seem to measure up to Bulliten or Yoshimi. Some really wacko stuff in there.
Second day - liking it more. Starting to get the feel of this one.
Third day - finally got it queued up on the home stereo (instead of the car). Awesome, a whole different album when you can hear it right. I had the same problem with Soft Bulliten. Didn't like it much until i heard it at home.

The audio on this CD is astounding. I don't know what tricks the producer is using but it has more depth than a lot of SACD's do. If your familiar with Soft Bulliten on a good stereo (sleeping on a roof for example) you know what i mean.
Track 7 is as good as anything they've done before. The run from track 3-7 is much like the second half of Bulliten. Can't say this tops either Yoshimi or Bulliten but well worth the $11.99.

 

[Biscokid]

I would rank it 4th or 5th in thier collection

1) TSB
2) Clouds Taste Metallic
3) Yoshimi
4-5) AWWTM, Transmissions

"The W.A.N.D." is a great song and even more great live.It reminds me of "The Gash" I was lucky enough to go to the two shows in NYC a few weeks back.
I also agree that you will never fully "get" a Flaming Lips album in the car.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

The copy I heared was filled with distortion & clipping. (Its also the loudest FL album, no suprise). The loudness war claim another soldier.

 

[moverton]

The copy I heared was filled with distortion & clipping. (Its also the loudest FL album, no suprise). The loudness war claim another soldier.

you've got a bad copy then. the cd sounds awesome on my system.

 

[Biscokid]

I agree the leaked version was not the greatest

 

[Bluesmobile]

love it
love it
love it!

I have been a fan since 1999 when I first heard The Soft Bulletin

great stuff, not designed for casual listening

 

[skriefal]

I haven't been a big Flaming Lips fan -- previously heard only Yoshimi -- but I picked up a copy of this album on release week and quite like it. I'll have to consider picking up Soft Bulletin on 5.1 DVD-A.

The sonics aren't as bad as Vapor Trails (for example), but I did notice the heavy compression and lack of dynamics. Clipping didn't seem to be too obvious, although I think I did notice some. Unfortunately, this seems to be yet another example of the poor mastering jobs that are now commonplace.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

you've got a bad copy then. the cd sounds awesome on my system.

I didn't buy it because the copy I hear was at a friends house. Its quite possible he had a pirate copy (or maybe a legal download), I never saw the actual disk. But now my first impression is ruined and i don't want to spend any money on the redbook edition. Theres too many other disks I do want to spend my hard-earned money on (my Amazon wish list is at about 120) then spend even more time chasing a sour experience.

 

[moverton]

I haven't been a big Flaming Lips fan -- previously heard only Yoshimi -- but I picked up a copy of this album on release week and quite like it. I'll have to consider picking up Soft Bulletin on 5.1 DVD-A.

The sonics aren't as bad as Vapor Trails (for example), but I did notice the heavy compression and lack of dynamics. Clipping didn't seem to be too obvious, although I think I did notice some. Unfortunately, this seems to be yet another example of the poor mastering jobs that are now commonplace.

i would stick with the stereo version on the bulletin dvd-a. I can't take the 5.1 version. It is not just a mix change or sound upgrade but a completely different album. I do like the dvd-a stereo version very much though.

as for the mix on War with the Mystics, I don't hear any problems with it. On my home system is sounds excelent. In my car, half of it disappears and it really doesn't do much for me. The same thing with Bulletin.

 

[Bluesmobile]

I haven't been a big Flaming Lips fan -- previously heard only Yoshimi -- but I picked up a copy of this album on release week and quite like it. I'll have to consider picking up Soft Bulletin on 5.1 DVD-A.

The sonics aren't as bad as Vapor Trails (for example), but I did notice the heavy compression and lack of dynamics. Clipping didn't seem to be too obvious, although I think I did notice some. Unfortunately, this seems to be yet another example of the poor mastering jobs that are now commonplace.

O Vapor Trails! When I think of what COULD HAVE BEEN (Should have been!). Unlike Vapor Trails, At War With the Mystics has some distortion and clipping that is there on purpose. It does not bother me in the slightest. Soft Bulletin is similar, and it feels like distortions are there as part of the artistry. Vapor Trails is just difficult to listen to and what makes it especially disappointing is the fact that it is the best music Rush has written and performed in quite some time.

 

[drybo]

Anybody know the songs they played on PBS Austin City Limits? never heard of them till then, they were awesome. Trying to find the one song that had beatles, and other hits mixed. He was running around with what looked like blood all over him?

 

[Biscokid]

If its the song where he puts the blood on his face it is "The Spark the Bled" from "The Soft Bulletin"(If you don't have this run don't walk) but as you would guess the blood stays with him for the rest of the show.

 

[LCA]

I'm a big Flaming Lips fan and this album has yet to impress me after two listens. I hope it grows on me as it has for some others here. Some great singles, just not a great album as a whole (my initial opinion).

 

[moverton]

I'm a big Flaming Lips fan and this album has yet to impress me after two listens. I hope it grows on me as it has for some others here. Some great singles, just not a great album as a whole (my initial opinion).

After having this one for several months now, I'd agree somewhat. I Like Yoshimi and Soft-Bulletin better. There are some really good tracks on this one (1,2,7 sorry, only know the numbers) but as a whole it doesn't gell as well. If you still have patience for this group go get Yoshimi or soft-bulletin (even better, get the dvd-a and use the stereo tracks).

Saw them last Sunday in philly (free show). It was the typical lips crazy show. Wayne's voice was pretty beat up though, pretty rough.

 

[LCA]

If you still have patience for this group go get Yoshimi or soft-bulletin (even better, get the dvd-a and use the stereo tracks).
QUOTE]

Soft Bulletin has is one of my all time favorite albums. I also have and love Yoshimi, Zareeka (condensed into one CD) and Clouds Taste Metalic. This is why I am somewhat dissapointed...

One of my favorite concerts ever was when the toured with Beck for Yoshimi as both his opener and backing band. I was in the upper balcony at the Chicago theater where I could see behind the curtain at the side of the stage. I saw Wayne standing there and decided rto wave. To my delight he waved back adn then stepped out on to the satge to say hello to everyone else just before the show.

 

[br0therharrison]

you've got a bad copy then. the cd sounds awesome on my system.

I agree you may have had a bad copy. On my first copy the most horrendous tracks were "Pompei Am Gotterdammerung" and "Going On". The clipping was terrible and unlistenable. The second copy was much better. I was actually able to listen to the entire album. Try another copy.

 

[djreef]

I'm sorry, but am I the only one who doesn't 'get' these guys? I was turned on to Yoshimi by a friend, and really didn't think it was all that.

DJ