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Balloons, confetti, and people dressed in animal costumes.
Constant joy,
heartfelt speeches, and glowing recommendations for the
future. Another 10 year
old's birthday party? Not quite.
It's the final show on the Flaming Lips most recent tour, yet
it seemed as
exciting and new as a band's very first gig.
The "Lips" started their psychedelic escapades back in 1983,
and for the past 20
years have nearly perfected their purpose, which is to make
their fans have as
much fun as they're having.
"We're all come here tonight to get away from some kind of
trauma. Hopefully, we
can help," says Wayne Coyne, singer/songwriter of the Flaming
Lips.
If the youth-filled antics don't make you giddy enough, then
maybe the
overstated joy and consistent smile of every band member might
bring about some
sort of reaction.
Let me tell you, there is no way of avoiding it.
From the very first note of "Race for the Prize" to the last
echo of "What is
the Light," you're either on the brink of tears or under the
influence of divine
intervention.
The cracking of Wayne's ubiquitous voice only adds to the
goose bumps that were
already present, while the drummer dressed in a bunny costume
can only make your
grin larger than it already was.
As childish as they may be, the Flaming Lips are anything but
simple.
Only on headphones can one actually break down everything that
is going on.
Multiple keyboards, both an electronic and acoustic guitar,
vocal harmonies,
handclaps, orchestrated symphonies that would be pretty enough
by themselves,
bass, drums, and sometimes even a gong, meander throughout
every catchy song.
Don't worry; the perfect mess turns into the perfect song very
quickly.
Actually, the only mess that occurs is the one on Wayne's pink
button-down shirt
and tan suit.
During an a capella segment at the end of "Yoshimi Battles the
Pink Robots," in
which Wayne sings using a nun hand puppet, he pours fake blood
all over himself.
Gross? Yes. Unnecessary? Maybe. But an overwhelming smile that
looks like a
trustworthy Cheshire cat, makes it just another part of an
already Disney-like
production.
In a world torn between simple indie-rock bands that take
themselves too
seriously and J-Lo songs that every poor rapper wants to be a
part of, it's good
to see a band that just wants to have fun; no matter how
childish they may
appear to be.
(from Entertainment Magazine)
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