The Flaming Lips Album: “Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell [EP]”

I have become quite the fan of the Lips over the last few years and was able to see them perform their spectacular live show twice this past summer. A joy.

I was drawn to buy this cd, not thinking it would be much more than some, no doubt interesting, out-takes, much like the Fight Test ep.

I was wrong.

This work stands on its own. It is a wonderfully connected aural experience with a song cycle that updates, advances and continues where Yoshimi left off - minus Yoshimi and the robots.

The emotional oomph underlying the Yoshimi work is furthered; consider this a Flaming Lips "take" on things, updated and up to the minute as of the 2003 holiday season.

This is a very satisfying musical and lyrical experience, culminating on the profound rumination of "A Change At Christmas". May we all be more successful in making that annual "change" in thinking last the whole year.

While this may be considered a bridge to what's next for the Flaming Lips, this ep, as I said earlier, stands a worthy release on its own. If you are someone who digs the Lips, I highly recommend that you don't overlook this compelling work.

Happy holidays to Wayne, Michael, Steve and you.

The opening three tracks, Assassination of the Sun, I'm a Fly in a Sunbeam & Sunship Balloons could have fit in so perfectly on the "Yoshimi" lp I'm just wondering if these tracks were out takes or new recordings. As the saying goes, "if you liked the Yoshimi...". Next up is a "click clacking popping lap top computer" remix of "Do You Realize", with it's melody and vocals, this track will alway float no matter what is done to it. Now when I heard that "Ego Tripping" was to be remixed I was on the edge of my seat in "anticipation" of the out come. First up is the "Ego in Acceleration" Jason Bentley remix that starts out with a bass/whoosh, a retro "Soul 2 Soul" drum loop shuffle and a trancy organ. The three main parts come in & out , start & stop, fade & build, that's it. It's laid back and trippy (sic). Next is my favorite mix on the EP (I know why they saved it for last), the "Self-Admiration with Blow-Up Mix" by Cilione & Camaione. Not at all like a remix but more like a brand new production (maybe that's why they left "re" out of the word "remix" for this version). The churning rhythms that open the track really pull you in along with Wayne's voice chopped and laid on the bass drum plotting the word "up" (I think). Their are "Velvet Underground/Sonic Youth" styled guitar drones, stabs, pluckings & backwards parts along with SiFi melody lines, pads of strings & tremolo vocal FX. This version sounds right on track with todays rock/electro underground that's surfacing in so much modern indie music. I'm sure that their is "L.S.D." chanting at the end (I can be wrong). The next reason to get this cd is "A Change At Christmas". With it's bells and strings and very sad (but hopeful) lyrics, this song is just what the Lips were always missing. Like the Beach Boys Xmas LP, I'm sure they could have busted out a full LP of Xmas styled jems. Their is no other group like The Flaming Lips and although I wish their were, I'm happy to be around in a time that such an individual type of band can stay on top and keep changing with the times.

I have become quite the fan of the Lips over the last few years and was able to see them perform their spectacular live show twice this past summer. A joy.

I was drawn to buy this cd, not thinking it would be much more than some, no doubt interesting, out-takes.

I was wrong.

This work stands on its own. It is a wonderfully connected aural experience with a song cycle that updates, advances and continues where Yoshimi left off - minus Yoshimi and the robots.

The emotional oomph underlying the Yoshimi work is furthered; consider this a Flaming Lips "take" on things, updated and up to the minute as of the 2003 holiday season.

This is a very satisfying musical and lyrical experience, culminating on the profound rumination of "A Change At Christmas". May we all be more successful in making that annual "change" in thinking last the whole year.

While this may be considered a bridge to what's next for the Flaming Lips, this ep, as I said earlier, stands a worthy release on its own. If you are someone who digs the Lips, I highly recommend that you don't overlook this compelling work.

Happy holidays to Wayne, Michael, Steven and you.

There is a lot of music that leaves you feeling neutral and emotionally unaffected. This EP is not one of those. I can't listen to this and not feel a sweet mixture of joy and wonder. If I'm feeling spaced out or dead to the world all I do is pop this in, give it a listen through, and feel the magic of existence come back to me. There are some new songs and some remixes on this and both are fantastic. The remixes really hold up well and do a lot for the originals. The new stuff is impressive and creates a wonderful sensation in my brain. I like so maybe you will too.

If you can't have fun with this one, you can't have fun. The Flaming Lips are truly original, not to say they have no influences, but they do continue to inspire. Have fun with it - it's meant for that!