By Sujin Thomas

WHEN Oklahoma psych-rock mystics The Flaming Lips completed work on last year's movie, Christmas On Mars, it's fair to ask whether they returned to Earth.

Few tracks on their 12th outing, Embryonic, possess any semblance of conventional structure, let alone vocals.

In some cases, such as Watching The Planets, the lyrics make little sense as drums thunder through crackling speakers.

Then there are repeated references to Western zodiac signs in songs such as Gemini Syringes and Sagittarius Silver Announcement.

The Lips have travelled far from the wistful tunefulness of 1999's The Soft Bulletin and 2002's Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots.

Indeed, while their music - which spans over two decades -  has evolved, it's comforting toknow that they haven't lost their sense of humour along the way.

On I Can Be A Frog, frontman Wayne Coyne sings about being a frog, bat, tornado and helicopter, among a catalogue of items, as a woman coos sounds related to each creature, machine or natural disaster.

Aside from self-indulgent instrumentals - Scorpio Sword and Virgo Self-Esteem Broadcast - the album is krautrock, with influences drawn from fusion jazz with distorted basslines.

Embryonic is guaranteed to charm while putting listeners in a hypnotic trance. It signals the rebirth of a stalwart band - one that appeals to loyalists and a generation of the new millennium.

THE FLAMING LIPS
Embryonic (Warner)

Raings: 4

Other Music Reviews:

» STEVE APPLETON - When The Sun Comes Up

» MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT OST

» SEASICK STEVE - Man From Another Time

» SUICIDE SOLUTION - Shake Well Before Abuse

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