The Flaming Lips — At War With The Mystics

Anyone who thought the massive popularity that came to the Lips following the success of Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots would dull their creativity is in for a surprise with At War With The Mystics. I'm not knocking Yoshimi, but I'd rather hear freak-out track "Free Radicals" or the stellar rawk of "The W.A.N.D." than most of the tracks on the mortality-obsessed predecessor. The most noticeable difference between pre-uber-fame Flaming Lips and the version of the band on this record is that they sound as though they're really enjoying the attention. Wayne Coyne's voice has never been stronger and the music itself is incredibly assured. This is one of those records that will only make a band like the Lips even more acclaimed than they already are.