The Flaming Lips are in the catbird seat. They’ve won a Grammy, toured with Beck and have literally crowd-surfed while inside a giant plastic bubble at rock festivals around the world. But can their new album keep the band’s winning streak alive? Continue reading
The Flaming Lips’ career is a story of artistic endurance. A new DVD, “The Fearless Freaks,” follows the psychedelic band’s 20-year, zig-zaging ascent from oddballs of the early ’80s hardcore punk scene to MTV-knighted, one-hit wonders to one of underground rock’s premier groups. Continue reading
Another year and yet another list. Soundbytes gives a rundown of what music you should add to your collection. Continue reading
As a rule, musical supergroups are typically a disappointment. Soundbytes was at the first show of Beck’s tour with his new backing band, the Flaming Lips, and he has the answer as to whether this pairing is as exceptional as both artists’ latest music. Continue reading
The Flaming Lips have made a career of doing what’s not expected, and after years in the trenches, the Oklahoma trio is now getting the credit they deserve. Soundbytes talks with the Lips about their recent success, their penchant for perverse artistic choices, the mysteries of pop music, their preoccupation with people dressed as animals, and their upcoming tour as Beck’s backing band. Continue reading
Soundbytes Music Column 