Comments on: The Over/Under: The Flaming Lips

By: burgersnflies

burgersnflies — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:54:07 +0000

Jo Jo, I think the spirit of the over-rated section is to tap into that “two fans in line” moment. I’ve never stood in line for half of these bands (not being in a destination city during their active tours) and missed out on the fan cliches.

If you really look at these lists over the last year it’s a pretty consistent shortcut to what’s burnt out in a band’s catalog, and what the hardcorefans love most. I feel like I can trust the Over/Under to get me through a band’s discography WAY better than the pointless bickering on Amazon or iTunes reviews, or the outdated overviews at allmusic. Definitely my favorite feature of the Magnet site.

Let’s get some of the Ipecac all-stars up there…

By: Jo Jo Dancer

Jo Jo Dancer — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:26:35 +0000

Every single time, these over lists are so painfully, shamefully, embarrassingly predictable. A parody of the more-of-a-fan-than-you ubergeek’s backlash lists. The under-lists, on the contrary, are often good.

But just try for once to come up with an over-list doesn’t parrot what two fans repeat to each other over and over every time they encounter each other. It’s like a virtual line outside a show. Same old, tired old, bullshit.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:48:53 +0000

These lists are so predictable and this one is no exception. Always a guarantee that the band in questions most popular song will be on the overrated list. Why not lie to at least stir up some real debate!

By: Senator Tankerbell

Senator Tankerbell — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:46:04 +0000

Just noticed that Broadfield Marchers banner ad to the right. That quote from the review covers all the Not-Lame bases perfectly….Big Star, REM, Rasberries, and Badfinger all name-checked. Gee, I’ve never heard a band mentioned in Magnet which has those influeneces. The power-pop kiss of death…

By: Senator Tankerbell

Senator Tankerbell — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:42:36 +0000

The overrated list is pretty obvious choice wise. “She Don’t Use Jelly” is a cool song though, as is the remixed version of “Race for the Prize.” I agree with the dude that said “Evil Will Prevail” should be on the underrated list. That song absolutely destroys “Christmas at the Zoo” which is kinda hokey. “Lightening Strikes the Postman” or “Bad Days” would have been a better choice as well. God the second half of that album is killer. Could have included pretty much the entire new disc on the underrated list, even though “Gemini Syringes,” “Powerless,” and “Sagittarius Silver Anouncement” are some subtle masterpieces. And to anyone who bitches about the Lips’ live shows, go stand in a corner with your arms folded and watch Grizzly Bear play a boring ass live set. There ain’t nothing wrong with actually putting on a show at a rock concert.

By: tomnitrus

tomnitrus — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:43:11 +0000

“Turn It On” rules. “Yeah Yeah Yeah song” sounds like a completely different band with none of the Lips charm. “Mountain Side” sorry to say should have stayed in the vaults. I never hated on the way “Soft Bulletin” was bookended by the Mokran mixes. I think they are solid and deliver the right statement in the mix. For under-rated I would have put “EVIL WILL PREVAIL” probably my favorite Lips song from the “1st commercial period”.

Thanks for the reminder to break out my Zaireeka discs!

Also, compare the way the flanger effect makes Wayne’s voice more musical in “Race For The Prize”, while the earlier tracks all put his off-key warble out in front clashing with the music. I can appreciate Dylan and Malkmus and early Coyne, but Soft Bulletin definitely marks the era when Wayne’s ears improved dramatically and because of this the albums are much better for repeat listening. I think it’s insulting to call it “easy listening”, but hey whatever floats your boat. It’s cool. Hopefully an old performance will surface on a nice DVD so I can really see this “old school” raw Flaming Lips that the hipsters miss.

By: mike

mike — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:33:05 +0000

soooo glad you mentioned Mountain Side. I was seriously obsessed with that album for a long time- it didn’t help that I saw the band perform most of this album live in the middle of a field, with Donahue reproducing the guitar fx from the album faithfully. Talk about sonic holography. And thanks for the props for Zaireeka- one of their best imho- so true about “Riding to Work” being what Soft Bulletin was trying to be.

By: Randall S. Murphy

Randall S. Murphy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:25:56 +0000

“Zaireeka” isn’t a song, and nothing is more annoying than a lazy Beach Boys comparison in regard to the Flaming Lips’ aesthetic. I wish the author would have dug just a little bit deeper to get to some truly weird and/or accessible pop gems.

By: old school fan

old school fan — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:59:34 +0000

jk, i have the same wish. the last configuration of the lips that i remember loving was 1994 when it was the band with a few xmas lights, a little bubble machine, and they just ripped it up.

I was a fan of the band from around 1988 (I actually have huge hand made posters that wayne made for shows, etc)…and I own every record until clouds taste metallic (even UK singles, etc).

honestly, I haven’t even payed attention to them since they turned into an easy listening band, and influenced hoards of crap adult contemporary/easy listening bands masquerading as indie & cutting edge. I find it all a bit boring compared to when they were really innovative in their earlier years.

As you stated, we’ll probably never see the band freak out and play a raw, energy-filled set. They are kind of like a broadway show now. People want to see the show, not the band or the music…

By: jk

jk — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:33:05 +0000

My secret wish for the tour behind Embryonic — the first Lips record I’ve liked in a decade — is that the band would lock up the furries, put away the light show, walk out on a bare-ish stage and open with ‘Turn it On.’ It is becoming abundantly clear that my wish is not going to come true. Flaming Lips shows have gone from being a circus to that sad late-summer carnival that sets up at in a suburban shopping mall parking lot.