The Flaming Lips Issue #27

At War With the Mystics (Warner Bros.)

By Amber Drea
Published: March 1st, 2006 | 12:00am

The Flaming Lips are the kind of band that gets better with age — at least, that’s what their latest full-length effort seems to prove. An epic masterpiece reportedly inspired by Black Sabbath, At War With the Mystics features heavier guitar riffs than their previous efforts, whilst simultaneously incorporating plenty of eclectic sounds, electronic flourishes, orchestral arrangements, and Queen-inspired harmonies.

Standouts include opener “Yeah Yeah Yeah Song,” a jubilant track asking what you would do if you could do anything, and the psychedelic, Beta Band-like “The W.A.N.D.,” a song about finding your own personal power. The “The Sound Of Failure / It’s Dark ... Is It Always This Dark??” — a ’70s R&B jam complete with flute and spacey break down — tells the story of a defeated pop singer. And on the Stereolab-esque anthem “Haven’t Got a Clue,” Wayne Coyne criticizes those with a tendency for self-pity, singing “Every time you state your case / The more I want to punch your face.” The Flaming Lips have once again created an album that takes you on an exciting journey from start to finish.