The Flaming Lips Albums Ranked From Worst to Best
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- Опубликовано: 2 июн 2023
- This week we're ranking the albums of The Flaming Lips.
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The Flaming Lips are an American psychedelic rock band formed in 1983 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The band currently consists of Wayne Coyne (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Steven Drozd (guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, vocals), Derek Brown (keyboards, guitars, percussion), Matt Duckworth Kirksey (drums, percussion, keyboards) and Nicholas Ley (percussion, drums). Following the departure of long-time bassist Michael Ivins in 2021, Coyne has remained the band's sole consistent member.
The group recorded several albums and EPs on an indie label, Restless, in the 1980s and early 1990s. After signing to Warner Brothers, they released their first record with Warner, Hit to Death in the Future Head (1992). Their 1993 album Transmissions from the Satellite Heart included the hit single "She Don't Use Jelly" which broke the band into the mainstream. They later released The Soft Bulletin (1999), which was NME magazine's Album of the Year, followed by the critically acclaimed Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002). In February 2007, they were nominated for a BRIT Award for "Best International Act". The group has won three Grammy Awards, including two for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. They were placed on Q magazine's list of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die" in 2002.
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Up next: Smashing Pumpkins
After that: Hall & Oates
#flaminglips #theflaminglips #albumsranked #worsttobest
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What I appreciate most from the Tastes Like Music guys is their honesty - never a poseur move. They care enough about music as an art form to always give us their genuine take, no matter what.
💯💯💯
I agree! Jason and Joe are definitely not posers 😁
@@adamp2029 Kramz isn't a poseur either. He tends to like the alternative gone stadium bands like R.E.M., U2 and Radiohead but he's also had some unpopular opinions along the way. He can be a little snotty when it comes to the more radio friendly artists like Billy Joel or The Monkees but it's forgivable, I get it.
@@GarganoA I’m just joking. His tastes match mine the most of them.
@@adamp2029 Same here for the most part. He does have a love for the post-punk stuff like the Bunnymen and the Furs so he's on point in my book.
I’d like to highlight the collaboration between The Flaming Lips and Nell Smith on 2021’s Where The Viaduct Looms. This album of Nick Cave covers blends the sweetly innocent voice of Miss Smith, the dark themes of Mr. Cave, and the Lips’ renditions of some beloved Bad Seeds songs. The Weeping Song, The Ship Song, Into My Arms, and especially Girl In Amber, sound hauntingly fresh & atmospheric. By flipping age, gender, and players, the honest beauty of these songs is heard in a different way. A special project.
I remember Nick gave his full approval to the album & heaped praise upon teenage Nell & her " backing band " Definitely a cool record ! 😊
Flaming Lips are still awesome 👌 live. Saw them with Stereolab just before the pandemic in 2019. Stereolab are still phenomenal live as well 👍
Oh! Joe would absolutely DESPISE Stereolab lol! 😂
@An Aesthetic Win One of the best 👌 bands of the 90's ..The Groop !
@@davidellis5141definitely! Latætia Sadier is a beautiful Nico-style singer and they can be a bit repetitive at times, but I love so many of the styles of music that they do!
I would love for y'all to do a ranking on Low, the slow core/experimental band, they are incredible!!
16. The Terror (2013) 2.5/5
15. Hear It Is (1986) 2.5/5
14. Zaireeka (1997) 3/5
13. Telepathic Surgery (1989) 3/5
12. Oh My Gowd! (1987) 3/5
11. Oczy Mlody (2017) 3/5
10. In A Priest Driven Ambulance (1990) 3.5/5
9. King's Mouth (2019) 3.5/5
8. At War With The Mystics (2006) 3.5/5
7. The Soft Bulletin (1999) 3.5/5
6. Hit To Death In The Future Head (1992) 3.5/5
5. Embyonic (2009) 4/5
4. Clouds Taste Metallic (1995) 4/5
3. American Head (2020) 4/5
2. Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (2002) 4/5
1. Transmissions From The Satellite Heart (1993) 4/5
Another epic and extraordinary album ranking by the fellas of Tastes Like Music 💥🎶🤩 brilliant work, guys! And it's clear that we should celebrate at Joe's groovy new digs with Zaireeka, four synchronized high-end turntables and a buffet of psychedelic treats 🤣⚠️😬🦠🌈 TLM 4ever 🏆🎵
Having been a fan of the Flaming Lips since “Clouds Taste Metallic”, I think their best is “The Soft Bulletin”. The Beach Boys vibe permeates.
It makes me happy that Kramzer discovered the beauty of Hit To Death. I have loved that record for years and it rarely gets mentioned. I was really into these guys since Transmissions was released but kind of lost track after Embryonic (which is not reflection on that particular album-I like it quite a bit). You’ve inspired me to check out everything I’ve missed….I have a feeling I am going to really like the Terror. If Joe hates something it usually means that it is down my alley😂
I am pleasantly surprised that he somewhat appreciates those early albums though.
As someone whose mind was blown by The Soft Bulletin when it came out (and thinks Clouds Taste Metallic is also a 5 star record) - I still get where Joe's coming from. The artifice of Wayne Coyne is always present.
That said the melodies and production choices made throughout their career deserve more appreciation.
Yea….nah. I’m on Team Joseph for this discography. The Soft Bulletin was indeed 1999’s “dud of the month”. It’s ridiculous, just how many incompatible instruments and sounds and elements they use in that album. It’s morose and boring to listen to for being as (fake and synthetically) grandiose as it is. But there some decent moments. I give it a “B”. It’s decent, but I don’t ever want to hear it again.
@@curly_wyn waitin for a superman is great. Tge scientist stuff is dumb
The Soft Bulletin is great, but I can see how it would be tough to get into Wayne Coyne. And they do so many different things, quite a lot of their albums seem pretty dense and tricky so far, but there’s plenty of enjoyment with this band.
Soft Bulletin and Clouds always swap places every time I hear them.Magnificent albums and then Yoshimi.
Downhill after Yoshimi.
the soft bulletin is a masterpiece of an album
Love the new background joe so retro stylish
It’s awesone to see «At War With The Mystics» getting praise. It is the perfect Flaming Lips album. Especially tracks like «My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion”. I love that solo pretty guitar figure before the organ and chorus. Interesting thought having The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song at the end. It would be a cool conclusion of the album. Kinda like Bad Days on Clouds Taste Metallic.
Great episode!
1) Soft Bulletin
2) Yoshimi
3) Embryonic
4) American Head
5) Transmissions or Clouds, depends on the day
I appreciate the love for some of the efforts pre Hit to Death. I will need to spend some time with those records, probably never given them a hard listen
I own 7 of their albums, which is not quite half of their total output. I haven’t picked up anything they’ve released in the last 10 years, and generally prefer their early-to-mid 90s rock era, but I still like this band quite a bit. Can’t quite get to 5 stars on any of their albums though.
1. Clouds Taste Metallic (#11 for 1995; 4.5 stars)
2. Hit to Death in the Future Head (#6 for 1992; 4.5)
3. Transmissions for the Satellite Heart (#31 for 1993; 4)
4. In a Priest Driven Ambulance (#24 for 1990; 4)
5. The Soft Bulletin (#26 for 1999; 4)
6. Embryonic (#48 for 2009; 4)
7. The Terror (3.5)
8. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (3.5; I feel like they were spinning their wheels a bit throughout most of the 2000s)
9. At War with the Mystics (3.5)
10. American Head (3)
11. Telepathic Surgery (3)
12. Oh My Gawd!! (3)
13. Hear It Is (3)
14. Zaireeka (2.5; would be ranked higher if not for the frustrating format)
15. King’s Mouth (2.5)
16. Oczy Mlody (2)
Again, Joe's complete and utter annoyance with this band contrasted with Cram's bubbling enthusiasm is really funny.
I haven't listened to nearly all their albums but I do really like Clouds Taste Metallic. Was pretty excited to log on this morning and see this would be a thing.
Glad to see so much appreciation for At War with the Mystics! "The Sound of Failure," "Vein of Stars," and "My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion" would all probably make my top 10. But I think my favorite Flaming Lips album would have to be Embryonic. It's got everything a Flaming Lips fan could ever want! American Head has really grown on me and gets lovelier every time I hear it. I'm thankful that Kramzer came to the rescue to defend The Terror. It's one of the bleakest, most hopeless albums of all time but it can really hit the spot on those depressing days.
The Flaming Lips have been one of my favorite bands for a long, long time. I got into them around the time Hit to Death came out. My favorite is probably Clouds as well as my favorite era is the Ronald Jones era. I saw them back then when they opened with the amazing Mountain Side and it was one of the loudest shows I've been to.
I love the first three records. With Zaireeka, I thought it was fun to listen to even if the songs weren't as strong. It showed how hard it was to move on after Jones, but they took a big idea and ran with it with sparks of brilliance. I saw them in '99 and they pulled it off as a trio pretty damn well, I mean Steven was still playing drums, which is always a treat.
The 00's had lots of juicy and bouncy great stuff. Of course Bulletin is wonderful and At War, with the very Close to the Edge-like Overtakes. The Heady Fwends record was ok, but the cover with Badu is amazing. The 24 Hour song is a hell of a listen. I've listened to them considerably less since then, but found The Terror utterly crushing, with Always There blasting brilliantly. I really loved that record. Of the latter period, Oczy is the best. King's Head is decent, with How Can A Head being my favorite tune. American Head is boring but has some ok stuff. I simply miss their more guitar and drum craziness.
You guys should do Mercury Rev's discography since it runs pretty parallel to the Lips.
Those first 2 mercury rev albums are like the flaming lips without the annoying whimsy and a dose of psycho
Mercury Rev are just as shitty and whimsical as The Flaming Lips but just not as annoying.
Oczy Mlody (2017) - 4.5 stars (8.7)
At War With Mystics (2006) - 4 stars (8.2)
Yoshimi Battles Pink Robots (2002) - 4 stars (8)
Clouds Tastes Metallic (1995) - 4 stars (8)
American Head (2020) - 4 stars (8)
Kings Mouth (2019) - 3.5 stars (7.8)
Transmissions from the Satellite Heart (1993) - 3.5 stars (7)
Oh My Gawd!!! (1987) - 3 stars (6.2)
The Soft Bulletin (1999) - 2.5 stars (5.8)
Embryonic (2009) - 2.5 stars (5.5)
In A Priest Driven Ambulance (1990)- 2.5 stars (5.2)
Telepathic Surgery (1989) - 2.5 stars (5)
Hear It Is (1986) - 2 stars (4)
Hit to Death In The Future Head (1992) - 1.5 stars (2.6)
The Terror (2013) 1.5 stars (2.5)
01 At War with the Mystics (5)
02 The Soft Bulletin (5)
03 Clouds Taste Metallic (4..5)
04 Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (4.5)
05 Transmissions from the Satellite Heart (4.5)
06 Embryonic (4)
07 In a Priest Driven Ambulance (4)
08 The Terror (4)
09 American Head 3.5)
10 Zaireeka (3.5)
11 Hit to Death in the Future Head (3.5)
12 Telepathic Surgery (3)
13 Oh My Gawd!!! (2.5)
14 King's Mouth (2)
15 Oczy Mlody (2)
16 Hear It is (2)
Did kings mouth murder your grandma? Holy shit dude
@@predeterminedmeat5024 I don’t like that album
Im sober and i love all their albums
knowing y’all had such varying opinions on this discography I’m really interested to see what an of Montreal album ranking would look like one day lol
It really nice to finally give The Flaming Lips a proper shot. I'd read about them for years but had only heard Embryonic which I didn't like very much. It was the most recent album at the time I checked out and after hearing it I was like "well if this is what The Flaming Lips are about, they are not for me". Which was a mistake, obviously. I think a lot of these, especially the ones at the top, certainly have room to grow because they are definitely a band where it is a lot to take in all at once. Happy to see lots of love for At War with the Mystics because I instantly gravitated toward that one, the low regard for it makes no sense to me. Not sure if I just heard a really good mix of Zaireeka but I thought that one was really cool too.
16) The Terror - 1.5 (3.0)
15) Oczy Mlody - 1.5 (3.1)
14)Hear It Is - 3 (6.0)
13) Embryonic - 3 (6.2)
12) Telepathic Surgery -3 (6.2)
11) Oh My Gawd!! - 3 (6.4)
10) King’s Mouth - 3 (6.5)
9) In a Priest Driven Ambulance - 3.5 (6.8)
8) American Head - 3.5 (7.0)
7) Hit To the Death in the Future Head - 3.5 (7.2)
6) Zaireeka - 3.5 (7.4)
5) Transmissions from the Satellite Heart - 3.5 (7.5)
4) Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots - 4 (8.1)
3) Clouds Taste Metallic - 4 (8.4)
2) At War with the Mystics - 4 (8.5)
1) The Soft Bulletin - 4.5 (9.0)
we have some similiarities my friend , tho we differ alot on zaireeka , great job tho V🐯🐯
We have the same top and bottom two. 😎👍
@@bengalgangster Thanks! I think I differ from quite a few people on Zaireeka but I guess that's part of the fun :)
@@Vanessa.P You're Queen Ranker
@kevtruth lol thanks, I just never stop
Kram is winning me on this at the 7 spot so far. Glad someone else loves this band
1. Clouds Taste Metallic - 4.5
2. The Soft Bulletin - 4.5
3. Transmissions from the Satellite Heart - 4.5
4. Hit to Death in the Future Head - 4
5. At War with the Mystics - 3.5
6. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots - 3.5
7. Embryonic - 3.5
8. In A Priest Driven Ambulance - 3
9. Zaireeka - 3
10. Oh My Gawd... - 3
11. American Head - 3
12. Telepathic Surgery - 3
13. Oczy Mlody - 2.5
14. Hear it Is - 2.5
15. King's Mouth - 2
16. The Terror - 1.5
One of my favorite bands of the last 3 decades or so, the only albums I don't care for are 14-16 everything else is good to great to all timers. Thanks for doing this one guys
16 The Terror
15 Ozcy Moldy
14 Kings Mouth
13 Oh My Gawd
12 Zaireeka
11 Hear It Is
10 Telepathic Surgery
09 American Head
08 Hit To Death
07 Priest Driven Ambulance
06 At War With The Mystics
05 Clouds Taste Metallic
04 Yoshimi
03 Transmissions
02 Embryonic
01 Soft Bulletin
people don't like the terror?
My top five
1.clouds taste metallic
2. Yosmi
3.soft bulletion
4. Hit to death
5. Transmisson
Correct !
I was really looking forward to you guys doing this discography--I think you could have a hundred different reviewers come up with a hundred different rankings and ratings! For what it's worth, here's mine:
1. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
2. The Soft Bulletin
3. Transmissions from the Satellite Heart
4. In a Priest Driven Ambulance
5. At War with the Mystics
6. Clouds Taste Metallic
7. Hit to Death in the Future Head
8. Embryonic
9. Hear It Is
10. Zaireeka
11. Oh My Gawd!!!
12. The Terror
13. American Head
14. Telepathic Surgery
15. King’s Mouth
16. Oczy Mlody
I highly recommend checking out The Soft Bulletin Companion album that got released for RSD recently. It gives a really neat extra glimpse into the Zaireeka/Soft Bulletin era! The only album of these 16 I can honestly say I don't like over all is Oczy, I found it really boring! Cheers!
We have the same top 3! Nice list.
My Top 3 Flaming Lips 💋 🔥 # 1 The Soft Bulletin ( Album Of The Year 1999 ) # 2 Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots 🤖 & # 3 Clouds ⛅️ Taste Mettalic 😋
Me to just digferent order
I've been looking forward to this ranking since I started following you! Great episode (even if it's tough to listen to Joe criticize one of my favorite bands of all time so harshly). This is my ranking:
16. Oczy Mlody (3.5)
15. Hear It Is (3.5)
14. Oh My Gawd!!!...The Flaming Lips (3.5)
13. The Terror (3.5)
12. Zaireeka (3.5)
11. At War With the Mystics (3.5)
10. In A Priest Driven Ambulance (4)
9. Telepathic Surgery (4)
8. King's Mouth: Music and Songs (4)
7. American Head (4.5)
6. Embryonic (4.5)
5. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (4.5)
4. Transmissions From the Satellite Heart (4.5)
3. Hit to Death in the Future Head (5)
2. Clouds Taste Metallic (5)
1. The Soft Bulletin (5)
Dude, A Priest Driven Ambulance and its lesser brother Hit To Death are the best. . you dont hear guitar like that anywhere else except early mercury rev of course. Plenty of melodies, just buried under noise you do know both of those albums are in the same era roughly?
Listen to the first Mercury Rev album! You may like it better
Yes, Jason has it with At War with the Mystics! Perfectly put!
Clouds Taste Metallic , The Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi.
The main three, mighty albums.
The others have a selection of beautiful songs too and I think Slow Nerve Action has one of the g r e a t e s t guitar riffs ever !!
01 At War with the Mystics (5)
02 The Soft Bulletin (4.5)
03 Clouds Taste Metallic (4)
04 Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (4.5)
05 Transmissions from the Satellite Heart (4)
06 Embryonic (5)
07 In a Priest Driven Ambulance (4)
08 The Terror (5)
09 American Head 3.5)
10 Zaireeka (3.5)
11 Hit to Death in the Future Head (3)
12 Telepathic Surgery (3)
13 Oh My Gawd!!! (2.5)
14 King's Mouth (3)
15 Oczy Mlody (2.5)
16 Hear It is (2.5)
i think you three need to do a ween album ranking...... sometime. i would just like to hear your takes on those.
There were several times I almost stopped listening to Flaming Lips, but bengalgangster kept encouraging me. Sooooo, here it goes.
16. The Terror 0.5
15. Ocxy Mlody 1.0
14. Telepathic Surgery 1.0
13. Zaireeka 1.0
12. Embryonic 1.0
11. King's Mouth 1.0
10. Clouds Tastes Metallic 1.5
9. Transmissions From the Satellite Heart 1.5
8. Here It Is 2.0
7. A Priest Driven Ambulance 2.5
6. American Head 2.5
5. Hit To Death With a Future Head 3.0
4. Oh, My Gawd!!! 3.5
3. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots 3.5
2. At War With Mystics 4.0
1. The Soft Bulletin 4.0
Same top 2 😎
✌👍🤟
@@Vanessa.P Great minds 👍
great list sweetie💜💜
@@bengalgangster Thank you, bengal. 🎶💜💜
Interesting take on the band as I am not familiar with their work before Hit to Death in 9. Have to say they are one of my fav US bands from the 90s on and imo Yoshima, Mystics, Bulletin and American Head are classics.
Would also recommend The Soft Bulletin companion and their Late Night Tales mix cd. I just invested in the Yoshimi 6 cd box set, something I reckon Joe won't be purchasing lol. Thanks however for the interesting review, and I will be checking out those early albums.
16) Embryonic (2009) 3/5
15) Oczy Mlody (2017) 3.25/5
14) Zaireeka (1997) 3.5/5
13) Telepathic Surgery (1989) 3.75/5
12) Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002) 3.75/5
11) The Terror (2013) 4/5
10) Oh My Gawd!!! (1987) 4/5
09) Hit to Death in the Future Head (1992) 4/5
08) Hear It Is (1986) 4.25/5
07) At War with the Mystics (2006) 4.25/5
06) American Head (2020) 4.5/5
05) King's Mouth: Music and Songs (2019) 4.5/5
04) In a Priest Driven Ambulance (1990) 4.5/5
03) Clouds Taste Metallic (1995) 4.5/5
02) Transmissions from the Satellite Heart (1993) 5/5
01) The Soft Bulletin (1999) 5/5
Ratings Scale:
0 stars - irredeemably terrible/insultingly bad/the worst
.5 stars - terrible
1 star - bad
1.5 stars - pretty bad
2 stars - weak/mediocre
2.5 stars - meh
2.75 stars - "It's OK, but quit playing it."
3 stars - OK/decent
3.25 stars - pretty good
3.5 stars - good
3.75 stars - really good
4 stars - very good
4.25 stars - very, very good
4.5 stars - excellent
5 stars - life into a bubble
Chronological Order:
1986 - 4.25 - Hear It Is
1987 - 4.00 - Oh My Gawd!!!
1989 - 3.75 - Telepathic Surgery
1990 - 4.50 - In a Priest Driven Ambulance
1992 - 4.00 - Hit to Death in the Future Head
1993 - 5.00 - Transmissions from the Satellite Heart
1995 - 4.50 - Clouds Taste Metallic
1997 - 3.50 - Zaireeka
1999 - 5.00 - The Soft Bulletin
2002 - 3.75 - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
2006 - 4.25 - At War with the Mystics
2009 - 3.00 - Embryonic
2013 - 4.00 - The Terror
2017 - 3.25 - Oczy Mlody
2019 - 4.50 - King's Mouth: Music and Songs
2020 - 4.50 - American Head
Notes:
* My first exposure to the Lips was surely "She Don't Use Jelly." Since then, I have owned several of their albums on CD. I even owned Zaireeka at one point but never got four CD players together to properly hear it. I did listen to a few different versions of it on RUclips though. It's a fascinating experiment, but at times it sounds rather amorphous and doesn't go anywhere. They are known for obliterating the atmosphere from time to time with discordant noise, which they do at the end of Zaireeka.
* I love their fearless sonic experimentation. Tons of great sounds. Loads of bells, whistles and wild samples, but they are always in service to the song.
* Hear It Is is close to greatness. Certainly, the opening and closing tracks with those chaotic guitar freakouts are great. "Jesus Shootin' Heroin" is essential Lips. They do the quiet/loud/quiet thing before the Pixies did it. The only track I don't like is "Charlie Manson Blues."
* I am ignoring the awful 30-minute "Noise Loop" at the end of HTDITFH. Otherwise, it would be a 1-star album because if it. The greatest track is "Halloween on the Barbary Coast" despite its unfortunate use of "retards."
* I was mighty tempted to put TFTSH in my top spot. It is fantastic all the way through, not a dud in the bunch. It totally rocks. I love the dirty guitar sound on "Pilot Can at the Queer of God" and the huge drum sound on "Slow-Nerve-Action." The latter is a great closing track, sounding like supremely stoned-out bliss.
* The Soft Bulletin has to be number one. A stunning reinvention. This is the peak of their songwriting. I've got eight of these songs at five stars. The weird thing though is that I'm not crazy about the opening track "Race for the Prize." It just reminds me of lame music I've heard somewhere in my past.
* Yoshimi is really good, love the new direction with all those great synth sounds. Some of the songs are just OK though. I'm not crazy about the title track (Pts. 1 and 2). The beat on "All We Have Is Now" sounds incongruous with the music.
* At War with the Mystics is very, very good, but I really dislike "Mr. Ambulance Driver," especially those sirens.
* Embryonic is more groove oriented than melodic. Not much in the way of catchy hooks. There are several songs I rate less than good here. There's some greatness here too though. "Evil" is great, "Worm Mountain" is great. "Powerless" has a cool Velvet Underground-style guitar solo. Then you have "Scorpio Sword," a rather baffling instrumental. "I Can Be a Frog" reminds me of the "What does the cow say?" toy for toddlers - not in a good way. The album is way too long. I would trim nearly half of these songs.
* The Terror has really cool sounds. It's bleak, numb, cold, mechanical and rather monotonous. I didn't like it so much at first, but I have come to see it as a worthwhile artistic statement (more so than an enjoyable listen). I have definitely felt this way before.
* King's Mouth is wonderful, and I love the story it tells. Wayne returns to really singing in his natural voice as opposed to the high and detached singing on their previous two records.
* American Head is also excellent. It's supremely dreamy and mellow. I love the fake-out intro on the opening track that makes you think it's going to be an industrial synth song. Kacey Musgraves makes some interesting contributions.
* I am most definitely a fan of this band and I hope I get to see them live one day - an awesome experience from what I gather.
* Cheers mates!!!!!!!!!!
What an essay! I think you are being too tough on "Race for the Prize". I loved that album the first listen and never noticed the first track being inferior to the rest.
@@paulsontag9233 I think the issue is closer to being a personal hangup of mine as opposed to the track being objectively weak.
Good takes and probably so close to my ranking that I won't post my own.
I also disregard that noise loop at the end of Future Head. Imo, ignoring it is justified because it is a hidden track, just like how I ignore "Endless Nameless" at the end of Nirvana's Nevermind.
@@AbbeyRoadkill1 without this FL would get 6 four stars records in my assessment.
here it goes
16 zaireeka 2.5
15 kings mouth 2.5
14 the terror 2.5
13 oczy mlody 2.5
12embryonic 2.5
11 oh my gawd 3.0
10 hit to death in the future head 3.0
9 in a priest driven ambulance 3.0
8 american head 3.5
7yoshimi battles the pink robots 3.5
6at war with the mystics 3.5
5 transmissions from the satellite heart 3.5
4 clouds taste metallic 3.5
3 the soft bulletin 4.0
2 hear it is 4,0
1 telepathic surgery 4.5
def a diff kind of discography here , some good, some not , but mostly not boring
cheers
🐯🐯
Great list, bengal! It took me a bit to get to a 2.5 rating. 🎶💜💜
Very nice!
🐯
@@weirddebbiem1619 thanx sweetie, it was a wild ride💜💜
@@Vanessa.P thanx my friend🤝🤝🤝
@@bengalgangster It certainly was. 💜🎶🎶💜
Kramzer might be insane for giving crap like “The Terror” 3.5 stars…Joe might be insane for not liking Wayne more. I think Joe needs to lighten up. Or light one up. Or something. But I used to love the Lips, and I can understand Joe’s exhaustion. “Embryonic” is the last one I liked, but even for a short double album it’s a bit “Sandinista!”-ish.
I was hugely into the Flaming Lips starting around Yoshimi. I am not all that aware of their early stuff. I knew the two big singles (She Don't Use Jelly and Turn It On), but didn't catch on till Yoshimi. I then found The Soft Bulletin. My ranking of the stuff I know goes something like this (worst to best):
American Head
Embryonic
The Terror
Oczy Mlody
Clouds Taste Metallic
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
At War With The Mystics
The Soft Bulletin
You know I never paid much attention to American Head... I think I was in a different headspace that year in terms of music. You all rate it pretty highly. I will have to give it another spin.
Joe’s frankness is refreshing.
I feel like they are one of those bands, like Tool, or Radiohead, for instance, who everyone and everything just EXPECTS you to like? I will say though, I saw them open for Porno For Pyros, in 1993, and they were pretty damn good live.
While i still love the spiderbite song, the original sequence i heard the album with had slow motion in its place and i think that song works so much better in the context of the album
I suppose the vinyl version with all the songs on it was the way the album was intended to be heard. Slow Motion is fantastic. These record companies gaining control over the track list is just a bad idea all around.
Watching now... Here's my official ranking
1. The Soft Bulletin [1999]
(9.45) ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
2. Yoshima Battles The Pink Robots [2002]
(9.40) ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
3. At War With the Mystics [2006]
(8.85) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Transmissions from the Satellite Heart [1993]
(8.33) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. Hit to Death in the Future [1992]
(8.75) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
6. Embryonic [2009]
(8.25) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
7. Telepathic Surgery [1989]
(8.20) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
8. Clouds Taste Metallic [1995]
(7.75) ⭐⭐⭐½
9. In a Priest Driven Ambulance [1990]
(7.70) ⭐⭐⭐½
10. American Head [2020]
(6.80) ⭐⭐⭐
11. Kings Mouth [2019]
(6.50) ⭐⭐⭐
12 Hear It Is [1986]
(6.45) ⭐⭐⭐
13. Oh My Gawd!!! [1987]
(5.66) ⭐⭐½
14 Oczy Mlody [2017]
(5.25) ⭐⭐½
15. Zaireeka [1997]
(4.63) ⭐⭐
16 The Terror [2013]
(4.45) ⭐⭐
No time for a deep dive but had 4 of their albums all of which were at least honourable mentions on my Albums of the Year lists. I would say that guarantees at least a 4 star from me:
4.The Terror 4 (like this way more than Jason and Joe)
3. The Soft Bulletin (a high) 4
2. At War with the Mystics 4.5
1 Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots 4.5
I have no skin in The Flaming Lips game. If I find myself hospitalised long term, I might take a deep dive. Under anaesthetic. But, confession time, Joe hating on something is my favourite internet guilty pleasure. OK, second favourite. Apart from when he took a dump on Be-Bop Deluxe. I'm still attending anger management classes (by court order) and heavily self-medicating on non-prescribed substances on the back of that big chunk of stale sourdough. But this exquisite dissing? Even better than hate sex. Always a pleasure, JJK.
Love Joe but Soft Bulletin at 3.5 is cray
what do you guys think of current indie? do u like alex g?
Kram and Jason like him. I’m ambivalent. - Joe
N.1 - At War With The Mystics ❤
My BIG 5️⃣
1. Clouds Taste Metallic
2. Transmissions
3. Yoshimi
4. At War With the Mystics
5. Hit to Death
And then..
6. Soft Bulletin
7. American Head
8. Priest Driven Ambulance
9. The Terror
10. Embryonic
11. Oczy Mlody
12. Zaireeka
13. Telepathic Surgery
14. Oh My Gawd
15. Kings Mouth
16. Hear it Is
✌🏼🎧
The Terror, they wanted to make an album that sounded like the end of the world. Took me a long time to get into Embryonic haha. Kings Disease is just kinda boring to me haha. American Head was a huge improvement.
I get what Joe says about not needing any other Lips record but At War with the Mystics. Ditto!
Will discography videos mostly be done for older artists, or are newer(2000's+) on the table for more frequent lists as well? I'd love to see one on My Chemical Romance, I feel like Kram would hate them lmao, and I know Joe enjoys them a bit. A Kanye one would be cool too.
We will throw them in on occasion.
"Yes Anderson"......ya' know, if you play Tales From Topographic Oceans while in tandem watching The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, the music eerily reads as a soundtrack to the film......
If you haven't heard Zaireeka as intended, with multiple discs on multiple players, you haven't heard the album. As the players go out of sinc (because CD players and turntables actually play at slightly different speeds) the compositions change. The lyrical themes then match the growing chaos around you as you listen. There is even a brain trick in one of the songs where the noise will physically disorient the listener. You can also move around as it's playing and get different feels from the songs in real time just by being in a different spot. It might sound a little hoaky being described but the actual effect as it's happening is really impressive. It's a truly unique listening experience unlike any other album. The mix downs are cool and certainly more practical but it's just an album. The full thing is an experience.
I believe it would a different experience. It doesn’t sound like it would be a better one.
@@TastesLikeMusic it's like comparing a listening to a live album to being at the show that was recorded for the album.
It was interesting to see all you guys compare their early stuff so closely with the Replacements. I definitely hear the similarities there but to me they are closer to The Meat Puppets, early Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth, and Butthole Surfers.
My top 5:
In A Priest Driven Ambulance (an all time top five album for me. Like a long lost Syd Barrett and Crazy Horse masterpiece)
Hit To Death In The Future Head
Transmissions From The Satellite Heart
Embryonic
Here It Is
For once I'm with Kramzer and Jason. Great vid. Thank you.
The yeah yeah yeah song was definitely my problem. I found it so repellant that I actualy never bothered listening to the album. Will give it another try.
Kramzer is right...Hit to Death in the Future Head is brilliant. When I heard that record in 1992, I excitedly proclaimed I had a new favorite band. I admit that was a hyperbolic claim, but my love for that record remains.
A lot of what is described as "weird sound effects" on clouds taste metallic are actually Ronald's guitar.
One of the best live bands on the planet. Even Joe would have fun. Embryonic and Priest Driven Ambulance in bottom three are war crimes lol. Shine On Sweet Jesus top 10 track. Jason gets it. Shoutout Kram for being seemingly the only other person on Earth other than me that get the brilliance of Hit to Death. I had the exact same experience as you when I finally got around to it.
1. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002) 5
2. The Soft Bulletin (1999) 5
3. Transmissions From the Satellite Heart (1993) 4.5
4. Clouds Taste Metallic (1995) 4
5. Hit to Death in the Future Head (1992) 4
6. American Head (2020) 4
7. At War With the Mystics (2006) 3.5
8. King's Mouth (2019) 3.5
9. In a Priest Driven Ambulance (1990) 3
10. Zaireeka (1997) 3
11. Embryonic (2009) 3
12. The Terror (2013) 3
13. Oczy Mlody (2017) 3
14. Oh My Gawd!!!! (1987) 3
15. Hear It Is (1986) 2.5
16. Telepathic Surgery (1989) 2.5
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER:
2.5 Hear It Is (1986)
3.0 Oh My Gawd!!!! (1987)
2.5 Telepathic Surgery (1989)
3.0 In a Priest Driven Ambulance (1990)
4.0 Hit to Death in the Future Head (1992)
4.5 Transmissions From the Satellite Heart (1993)
4.0 Clouds Taste Metallic (1995)
3.0 Zaireeka (1997)
5.0 The Soft Bulletin (1999)
5.0 Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002)
3.5 At War With the Mystics (2006)
3.0 Embryonic (2009)
3.0 The Terror (2013)
3.0 Oczy Mlody (2017)
3.5 King's Mouth (2019)
4.0 American Head (2020)
The Flaming Lips are one of music's remarkable stories of perseverance- who'da thunk a band formed in 1980s Oklahoma would, almost two decades later, become the standard bearer for alternative rock music. It's appropriate they're such devoted Pink Floyd acolytes, as Floyd took a similar winding road to success. They also absorbed Floyd's ability to evoke imagery through sound.
The Lips' charming weirdness is on display from the very beginning, although I think it took a while for the quality of the songwriting to catch up. They spent the 1980s searching for their sound. As a result, their early albums don't do that much for me. The acid-punk epic "One Million Billionth of a Millisecond on a Sunday Morning" (from 1987's Oh My Gawd!!!!) is probably the best cut on any of their first three albums.
As the calendar turns to the 1990s their music gets more focused and tuneful. Jonathan Donahue (of Mercury Rev) joins them for 1990's In a Priest Driven Ambulance and 1992's Hit to Death in the Future Head. This is where their melodic noise-rock sound really starts to gel (e.g. "Rainin' Babies," "The Sun," "Five Stop Mother Superior Rain," "Hit Me Like You Did the First Time").
In hindsight, it was all building toward 1993's Transmissions From the Satellite Heart. Their consistency takes a leap up as almost every 'Transmission' hits the mark- from the cheeky "She Don't Use Jelly" to the splendidly disheveled "Moth in the Incubator."
The fuzzed-out follow-up, Clouds Taste Metallic (1995), is even more idiosyncratic than usual for The Lips. The music is less immediate but the lyrics are more incisive, with humorous titles like "Placebo Headwound" and "Lightning Strikes the Postman."
The departure of guitarist Ronald Jones led to a sound collage approach for 1997's Zaireeka. I didn't hear this album until years after the fact because of the unique way it was released (as 4 separate discs that needed to be played simultaneously). Listening to it nowadays, I dont think I was missing all that much. The dense sonics are interesting, but the only two songs I ever revisit are "Riding to Work in the Year 2025" and "A Machine in India."
For their next permutation, The Lips serve up the meticulously arranged space-pop of The Soft Bulletin (1999) and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002). Tracks like "Waitin' for a Superman," "Do You Realize??," and "Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell" make them two of the most emotionally resonant albums I've ever heard. (Most people slightly prefer one over the other, and I'm squarely on team Yoshimi. I think it has a tad more magic than Soft Bulletin.) While I wouldn't say Wayne Coyne is one of the best singers ever, I think the tension in his voice, and the way he strains to hit the high notes, conveys emotion well.
At War With the Mystics (2006) might be their most eclectic LP- a bit of psych-rock, a bit of soft-rock, a bit of electronic, even a bit of funk. However, only three songs ("The Sound of Failure," "Pompeii Am Gotterdammerung," "My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion") compete with the music on Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi.
Their next trio of studio projects explore krautrock (2009's Embryonic) and a mix of electronic and ambient (2013's The Terror, 2017's Oczy Mlody). Each emphasizes groove/mood more than they emphasize melody. All three include plenty of cracking beats and pleasant textures, but not all that much memorable material.
The Lips' two most recent LPs mark a return to dynamic melodies. Mick Jones (of The Clash) narrates King's Mouth (2019), a concept album about a monarch whose colossal head saves his kingdom from an avalanche. American Head (2020) features guest vocals from country artist Kacey Musgraves. She adds an ethereal feel to the tracks she appears on. I think it's The Lips' most consistent set of songs since Yoshimi. (It grows on me a little every time I hear it.)
Wayne Coyne and his evolving cast of sidemen are one of most life-affirming acts out there- easily one of my favorite bands of the last 30 years. But, in the end, I think they'll barely miss my top 100 artists list. Their numerous lineup changes kept me from following them as fanatically as I might've otherwise.
MY RATING SYSTEM:
5.0 = major classic (consistently great *and* stratospheric highs)
4.5 = minor classic (consistently great *or* stratospheric highs, but not both)
4.0 = great (a clear majority is worth revisiting and it's one of the best things for this artist/style)
3.5 = seriously good (at least half is worth revisiting)
3.0 = nominally good (less than half is worth revisiting)
2.5 = fair (competent but uninspired, not worth revisiting)
2.0 = poor (difficult listen)
1.5 = awful (can't finish it)
1.0 = historically awful (musical apocalypse)
▪︎ "Consistently" does not mean "flawlessly." I allow for a few duds if the rest of the songs are good enough. "Stratospheric highs" refer to albums that feature iconic songs or have an iconic sound. (Albums I consider to be "perfect" can also reach 5 stars, even without containing legendary songs or being highly influential.)
▪︎ I don't go below 1 star because once I'm in the realm of the truly terrible, I don't care to differentiate anymore.
▪︎ Anything I rate 3.5 stars or better is an album I'm enthusiastic about and would likely revisit at some point.
A great live band. Their album output is so hit and miss for me, but amazing at their best.
My top albums would be
1. At War with the Mystics
2. Soft Bulletin
3. King's Mouth
4. Clouds Taste Metallic
5. American Head
6. Yoshimi
7. Zaireeka
8. Embryonic
9. Satellite
Need to get into the rest more. Debut has a few good songs but a bit meh. I bought the Terror but couldn't get into it.
I love Wayne's voice, definitely sounds like Neil Young often.
I have the sealed Zaireeka 4 lp. Me and my friends did try the album with 2 cd players and 2 phones I think and it was fun
Cool, guess I might check out "At war w the mystics"....
1 - future head - 2 - robots - 3 - clouds - 4 - five way tie .
haven’t heard them all but from what I’ve heard I’d rank em
1. The Soft Bulletin (5/5)
2. Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (4.5/5)
3. Embryonic (4/5)
4. Hit To Death In The Future Head (4/5)
5. Clouds Taste Metallic (4/5)
6. American Head (4/5)
7. At War With The Mystics (3.5/5)
8. Transmissions From A Satellite Heart (3.5/5)
9. King’s Mouth (3.5/5)
10. Zaireeka (3.5/5)
11. In A Priest Driven Ambulance (3.5/5)
12. Oczy mlody (2.5/5)
only really still interested in checking out The Terror tbh
I've discovered that while I do like The Flaming Lips, it is only in small doses. Probably no more than 4 or 5 songs in a row.
I dug this week. I was already a Lips fan, but my appreciation was enhanced a bit. Still not a top 100 artist for me, but I think they're more consistently interesting than most bands.
Jason should take a different approach to Embryonic. I feel there is so much in that record that aligns to his music tastes. I get it’s an overlong sprawling mess but that’s exactly what it is going for and it works on so many levels. Maybe Kramz can eventually get to a 5 on it bc it is imho their most under appreciated masterpiece….that being said I agree with most of the criticisms on the Terror, no ear for that one at all.
Can you persuade Joe to do a Guided by Voices list? 🤞
Can you teach a tortoise to sing? - Joe
Love this band alot excited to see this
1. Yoshimi - 4.0
2. Soft Bulletin - 3.5
3. Clouds Taste Metallic - 3.0
4. At War With The Mystics - 3.0
5. American Head - 2.5
6. Oczy Mlody - 2.0
7. Embryonic - 1.5
Cant wait to watch this i know my top five, who ever picks my top five closest wins
The terror is awesome. Only makes sense after you hit a paranoid state. Clicked for me after several listens and during a weird period in my life. Always a bummer to see the more challenging, risk taking records get put at the bottom
Not every risk is a good one.
I'm only going to rank from Clouds Taste Metallic on:
1. Zaireeka
2. Clouds Taste Metallic
3. Embryonic
4. American Head
5. At War with the Mystics
6. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
7. Oczy Mlody
8. The Soft Bulletin
9. Kings Mouth
10. The Terror
I'm like how Kramzer used to be. I don't get all of the hype for The Soft Bulletin. I didn't start getting into the Flaming Lips until 2002 when Yoshimi came out, so I think maybe it's kind of a "you had to be there" thing.
At War with the Mystics was the first Flaming Lips album I ever truly liked when it came out in 2006. It served as my gateway into liking the group.
Insanity
JOE JACKSON....sick of me yet! After watching you guys for a very long time,I feel you would appreciate his discography..I'm not sure I know of another artist more versatile. Some amazing albums
Predictions pre-watching
Joe’s #1 - Soft Bulletin
Jason’s #1 - Clouds Taste Metallic
Joe’s #1 - Soft Bulletin.
After work I will update with thoughts 😁
NOOOO JOEEE 😭😭😭
Best to worse
Kram- almost lost me.with a few picks but all together strong. And my love for these guys is his love to.
Jason- so close to toping just a different top five from me
Joe- not a fan this week.nuff said
I'm with Joe, not into the Flamin Lips, besides a few obvious songs but this was a fun watch.
Lips week :)
For me it's a very interesting, very weird and very strong discography. No surprise to see Kram as the lips guy. It's a pity Joe find access.
My ranking:
1. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (5/5)
2. The Soft Bulletin (4,5/5)
3. Hit to Death in the Future Head (4/5)
4. Transmissions from the Satellite Heart (4/5)
5. Clouds Taste Metallic (4/5)
6. American Head (3,5/5)
7. The Terror (3,5/5)
8. Embryonic (3,5/5)
9. At War with the Mystics (3,5/5)
10. In a Priest Driven Ambulance (3/5)
11. Hear It Is (3/5)
12. Oh My Gawd!!! (3/5)
13. King's Mouth (3/5)
14. Oczy Mlody (3/5)
15. Zaireeka (3/5)
16. Telepathic Surgery (2,5/5)
I love the Lips, so this was fun to hear their whole catalogue being discussed. I enjoyed cynical guy, and would like it if goatee guy could look up once in a while.
You haven’t earned my eye contact yet.
@@TastesLikeMusic lol
I actually like where joe put clouds taste the most
Come on man. The Gash has a great half time shuffle. The Soft Bulletin is the best. It's always been my favorite. It's perfect front to back. It's the Dark Side of the 90'sin my opinion. War With The Mystics kills too. I'd rate Priest Driven a but higher. Guess I need to give American Head another listen.
Amazingly, given his star ratings for the Top 5, Joe seems to like the Flaming Lips more than Kramzer likes Billy Joel.
Love what I’ve heard by The Lips , but haven’t explored their real early stuff and sort of got bored with their more recent releases. I would definitely rank them behind Sonic Youth and Pavement and ahead of…..Elton John😂 ranking what I know;
1. Clouds Taste Metallic(5 stars)
2. Transmissions From the Satellite Heart (5 stars)
3. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots( 4 stars)
4. At War With the Mystics(3.5 stars)
5. The Soft Bulletin (3.5 stars)
6. Hit to death in the future head(3.5 stars)
7. In a Priest Driven Ambulance (3 stars)
Far ahead of Elton John...
Love Joe, dude!!! He’s awesome, and right!🤘🏼
Struggle to get through a FL full album. Going to give At war with the Mystics a go never listened to it.
The sound of failure and vain of stars are great jams
It's kinda hard ranking a Discography this big. Especially when you add 2 albums to your Ranking.
18: Hit to Death in the Future Head
17: Kings Mouth: Music and Songs
16: The Terror
15: Embryonic
14: American Head
13: Zaireeka
(From here on out, I like the Discography)
12: Telepathic Surgery
11: At War with Mystics
10: The Soft Bulletin
9: In a Priest driven Ambulance
8: Transmissions from the Satellite Heart
7: OH MY GAWD!!!
6: Flaming Lips EP (For a small band from Oklahoma, these guys knew what they wanted to do)
5: Here it is
4: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
3: Clouds taste metallic
2: Oczy Mlody
1: Onboard the International Space Station
Great band
I think I enjoyed Joe more on the Tom Waits discography, probably because I'm a big Waits fan and less enthused by The Flaming Lips. Still a lot of good laughs!
I was waiting for the album "69 love songs" for an hour. Then I realized this wasn't "The magnetic fields". 😅
So here we are. I have just decided for some crazy reason to do a deep dive into some group who’s albums I have never listened to just because the guys at Tastes like Music have done that. Why the Flaming Lips? Well a quick read shows a group who evolved and even changed dramatically, stood the test of time and have dedicated followers who regard them as one of the greatest groups ever- if not The greatest of all time (Check the Rate Your Music reviews). Better than the Beatles YES YES YES. That’s the group to choose!
Interestingly I am the guy following on from Krams quote in the “ guessing Joe” video that “ Boomers who have never heard a flaming lips song will be on Joes side.” Well- I just happen to fit that criteria. And yes I did agree with what Joe said…so a good call there. But in the end I came even closer to Jasons analysis especially on the worst albums.
So how does this archetypal boomer rate the Flaming Lips catalogue?
My ranking
1 The soft Bulletin
2 American Head
3 At war with the Mystics
4 Clouds taste Metallic
5 Yoshimi battles the Pink Robots
6 Oczy mlody
7 Hit to death in the Future Head
8 Zaireeka (imagine how much higher this would be if I had 4 CD players)
9 Here it is
10 Kings mouth.
I appreciate that of course that many fans took 5 or so listens to a LP before it clicked and I didn’t do that. The Terror of that thought. (joke)
Kram lost be alittle bit with 12 , but i respect his love for them
Man not getting these low ranking on the terror feel like me and kram are in same apge
Kram might of lost me woth clouds only being at 6, its personally my favorite easily
This band is depressing to listen to, but Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi are transcendent.
Lo únoco que quiero decir es que no se pueden comparar los albumes de Ronald con lo que vino después. La banda se limitó a meter 2 canciones dignas y todo lo demás es relleno. Han sacado cosas lindas, pero uno o dos por album... soft bulletin, yoshimi, war... no me vengan con giladas para los milenials
Consider me the only person on planet earth with you on Yoshimi, Joe.
Rewatch: Still don't understand The Flaming Lips.
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...bring on the weird and wonderful! Thanks Patreons...
I dont get the love for the first album sorry one of my less favorite
@@andrewdyke5561 T'was the times. The bands progression while remaining strong is great. With my love for Indie, I salute their innovation and longevity. Jesus and Mary Chain I would like these guys to cover.
The Flaming Lips: A Semi-Fictional Pretentious Record Store Clerk In Crocs Making Yer Brain Antagonistic Towards Him In a Bubblegum Field of Flowers Goin Thru Yr Head, Pt.2: The Jesus Truck Drivin’ Man Wakes Up In Outer Space (Three Part Suite)
That’s basically the lump in my throat every time I hear Wayne Coyne.
Controversial opinion…but my personal favorite is TELEPATHIC SURGERY
it is my top album also🐯