The Flaming Lips — Embryonic

Having forged farther into the mainstream than anyone could have ever imagined — "Do You Realize??" is Oklahoma's official rock song — The Flaming Lips seem to be settling back into their old experimental freakout ways. It was something they dabbled with on their last record, At War With The Mystics, but the trio seemed unable to find a balance between their old psychedelia and pop craftsmanship.

Eschewing the later, Embryonic is the band's most sonically ambitious album since Zaireeka. But where that record blatantly challenged even the most hardcore fans, this should please them and tourists alike.

Embryonic is drenched in the perfect amount of reverb and is easily the most organic album the band have made since the "She Don't Use Jelly" days. But they haven't forgotten the pop craftsmanship they honed on their last trio of releases. With pulsing bass lines and atmospheric instrumentals Embryonic's marriage of songwriting and experimentation is a slam dunk.

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