The experience of listening to the new album by The Flaming Lips has been described as being similar to that of watching the stargate sequence from 2001 A Space Odyssey. However, as much as I agree, I personally would equate it more to the first Mission Impossible film in that on your first visit to it you are stunned at how labyrinthian and complex it is, but after a few goes you are satisfied with it's simplicity and artful entertainment value....

....the former example is a little brainier though, lol.

Embryonic sees yet another gentle stylistic shift for The Flaming Lips, who have never been frightened of a little experimentation. There's not a massive change in their approach, but rather than sounding slightly bubble-gum and twee the sonic mucking about actually feels stronger, more mature and in places nightmarishly dark. It's nice to hear that after nearly twenty-five years of releasing albums a band can still produce their most challenging work.

The album pulls together all their previous resources but somehow manages to create something that you feel you've never heard before. Frontman Wayne Coyne has said he believes his musical instrument of choice is the recording studio and Embryonic is a perfect example of what he means. You will be reminded of Miles Davis as much as you will be reminded of a little alternative band from Oklahoma who once ripped-off Cat Stevens.

If you don't find Embryonic enjoyable then you will at least find it interesting.

I love it.

PS
The album cover scares the crap out of me, eek!!!