The three claps in “Gemini Syringes” for example, give a minimalist rhythm while synths and bass sway in and out. Despite this constant clash, it’s the small details that litter Embryonic that drive the songs forward. Driving heavy guitar or drum grooves can give way to clear synths that scatter itself all over the album. Sonically, the album plays a careful balancing act between beauty and beast. Sometimes, with just Coyne and backing, Embryonic is at its most delicate, like on the miniature ballad, “If”. Although the lyrics aren’t the primary focus of the album, they tend to border between cryptic and simple. Much like Coyne's vocals, the instruments that lay the foundation for these tracks feel heavily altered. The sound of Embryonic is a bigger and darker take on The Flaming Lips layered psychedelic sound. Coyne's vocals are frequently altered with to fit the sound the album takes on at the time, oftentimes sounding like he’s drifting through space or trapped behind a barrier of sound.
Instead of playing a character who questions the world around him, he’s a great immortal being who is plaguing a bad trip. Coyne, whose atypical whiny delivery is put out by a rather standard version of himself. In fact, much of the isolation comes from the vocals. The notes can be cold and foreign and other times bright and melodic, but The Flaming Lips never deliver a catchy hook instead of reeling you in, they push you away. The music carries the otherworldly mentality that The Flaming Lips loves to tough on but unlike much of their other work, it lacks the touch of humanity. The 18 tracks on Embryonic have a mystic quality to them they clash harsh textures with frequent crescendos and have the ability to feel powerful yet light on their feet thanks to the sometimes playful interludes that lead one piece of thumping instrumentation to the next. Its 70 minutes of constant movement and sonic bombardment. Embryonic would be their first album to open in the Billboard Top 10.Įmbryonic is dense. But, it was in 2009 when The Flaming Lips released Embryonic, the first time they’ve made a big bold statement since Yoshimi. They’ve become well known for their wild and weird live shows and rather dedicated fan base. Since the success of those two albums, The Flaming Lips have found many different ways to channel their creativity: they’ve worked with pop stars (Miley Cyrus & Kesha), other bands (Neon Indian & Stardeath and White Dwarfs), made a Christmas album, and soundtracked the Spongebob movie. These two albums have gone on to be considered indie essentials, praised for the boisterous sound and catchy eccentricity. The Flaming Lips had managed to find a quirky pop-psychedelic sound to make their own and would begin to turn into a commercial powerhouse following their similar sounding Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots in 2002. The Soft Bullitin would develop this layered sound in 1999 and be a massive critical success. The album focused on layers, with all four discs meant to be played at once, and despite yet another commercial flop, The Lips had found a small niche. It would be their next album, the strange four-disc experimental pop-rock Zaireeka that would set the stage for their progressive sound. Their next studio album, Clouds Taste Metallic, in 1995 wouldn’t achieve the standards met by their previous effort. On their follow up album, Transmissions from the Satellite Heart, they would find themselves with their first hit single, “She don’t Use Jelly.” This single may have put them on the likes of Letterman, but it would add additional scrutiny for them to be successful commercially.
The Flaming Lips would release their first major label studio album, Hit to Death in the Future Head, in 1992. Over the course of their 32 year history, they’ve released 17 studio albums, 18 EPs and won 3 Grammys for their efforts. In 1991 they would add another crucial member to the band, Steven Drozd. The Flaming Lips are a psychedelic-rock/pop indie band out of Oklahoma City that first began in 1983 under the reign of two primary members, Wayne Coyne and Michael Ivins. This week, /u/DrStr8ngelove takes on The Flaming Lips' Embryonic. Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of For Your Consideration, the weekly thread where we talk albums not on our essentials list, and maybe why they should be.
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