13-09-2020, 11:25
THE FLAMING LIPS ~ American Head
![[Image: R-15902975-1599902462-7631.jpeg.jpg]](https://img.discogs.com/meb1LlbeX9Fv4oujrNdSuYy9r_w=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-15902975-1599902462-7631.jpeg.jpg)
I’m not too familiar with this band, except Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, so am unable to compare with their previous albums, although from what I HAVE heard, the general vibe and mix of electronica, samples and instruments remains similar. I liked how it started which was all psychedelic and dreamy – acid rock for sure; Micah Nelson (Willie’s youngest) contributes backing vocals and guitar on the first track, and Kacey Musgraves vox on the following two as well as on the second last track - no 12. Sounds like there’s some vocal manipulation which is ok in places, and maybe a bit much in others.
This all seems to be a retrospective look at, and observation of, misspent youth, and is largely to do with both taking and peddling drugs, and the resultant tangled web the whole culture creates – the way young people get inadvertently swept up in things as a result of heading down a particular road, one which in some cases they probably had no direct intention of going in the first place and think they can easily back out of – a case of poor judgement, the subsequent regrets, the fallout, and so on. Confessional is probably the best way to peg it. Funny – they almost sound a bit like the above narrative – a juxtaposition of innocent and streetwise, almost (but not quite) angelic vocals against gritty, murky music. It all wore a little thin (for me) towards the middle of the album, seemed to pick up again briefly and then ended on a sort of muddly, fuzzy note.
Don’t think it’s entirely my thing so I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to purchase the album, however, that said, I might give it another whirl, and at least they are unlike a whole lot else that’s out there right now, off the beaten track which is refreshing. The first track is definitely my favourite …
I’m not too familiar with this band, except Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, so am unable to compare with their previous albums, although from what I HAVE heard, the general vibe and mix of electronica, samples and instruments remains similar. I liked how it started which was all psychedelic and dreamy – acid rock for sure; Micah Nelson (Willie’s youngest) contributes backing vocals and guitar on the first track, and Kacey Musgraves vox on the following two as well as on the second last track - no 12. Sounds like there’s some vocal manipulation which is ok in places, and maybe a bit much in others.
This all seems to be a retrospective look at, and observation of, misspent youth, and is largely to do with both taking and peddling drugs, and the resultant tangled web the whole culture creates – the way young people get inadvertently swept up in things as a result of heading down a particular road, one which in some cases they probably had no direct intention of going in the first place and think they can easily back out of – a case of poor judgement, the subsequent regrets, the fallout, and so on. Confessional is probably the best way to peg it. Funny – they almost sound a bit like the above narrative – a juxtaposition of innocent and streetwise, almost (but not quite) angelic vocals against gritty, murky music. It all wore a little thin (for me) towards the middle of the album, seemed to pick up again briefly and then ended on a sort of muddly, fuzzy note.
Don’t think it’s entirely my thing so I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to purchase the album, however, that said, I might give it another whirl, and at least they are unlike a whole lot else that’s out there right now, off the beaten track which is refreshing. The first track is definitely my favourite …
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson
