Album: The Flaming Lips - Embryonic (2009)
Track: “Evil” (MP3)

The album is long, so I broke the download up into 2 parts:

Part 1 // Part 2

As I said last week, I want to make it a regular feature of this blog to post new releases on or near their release date for all to enjoy. Like, real-time.

This week’s choice: the new Flaming Lips record, Embryonic, which comes out tomorrow. I’ve only given it listens today, but it’s already awesome and I get the feeling that it’ll be a grower. Fuzzy, psychedelic guitar music that covers the human condition: at times joyous, melodic, uplifting, depressing, concentrated, weird, magical… (it’s hard to put the human condition into words, so I’ll stop right there).

The first few go ‘rounds of this album reminds me a lot of post-OK Computer* Radiohead, in the best sense. Some of the drum and cymbal patterns are spastic loops and there’s a lot of extracurricular noise that layers nicely with the melodic instruments (“See The Leaves” is a perfect example).

Also on the album: guest appearances by MGMT (“Worm Mountain”) and Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (on “I Can Be A Frog” and “Watching The Planets”). Aside: Karen O provides the soundtrack to the upcoming OMG SO HIP + INDIE blockbuster Where The Wild Things Are… alright, I won’t front. I’m as excited to see is as anyone. I’m gonna go look for my copy right now…

*Note to self: avoid using “post-” anything, even if applicable. Shit, even if it’s the best way to describe something. I don’t want to sound like a douche bag.

Tracklist:

01. Convinced of the Hex
02. The Sparrow Looks Up at the Machine
03. Evil
04. Aquarius Sabotage
05. See the Leaves
06. IF
07. Gemini Syringes
08. Your Bats
09. Powerless
10. The Ego’s Last Stand
11. I Can Be a Frog
12. Sagittarius Silver Announcement
13. Worm Mountain
14. Scorpio Sword
15. The Impulse
16. Silver Trembling Hands
17. Virgo Self-Esteem Broadcast
18. Watching the Planets