Fans of the band know that they’re notorious for doing covers that have the broadest of range, from Kylie Minogue to A Flock of Seagulls to Radiohead and now Pink Floyd. However, never have they been so bold as to cover an entire album. Along for the ride are an eclectic bunch of collaborators: Henry Rollins, Peaches, Stardeath and White Dwarfs. On the bright light of a computer monitor, this already has to seem like an odd bunch to put in one room for an album, let alone a cover album of a rock classic, but we would expect nothing less from our favorite sons of Oklahoma City.
This iTunes exclusive largely reinvents the classic album, but in certain selections maintains the essence of the original compositions with the trademark Flaming Lips swirl. “Breathe” and “Time” are amongst some of the strongest examples on this fun exercise to show this, but in the case of “Us and Them,” which strangely seems rather fitting with The Flaming Lips executing it wonderfully, it is then interrupted to what proves to be a constant nuisance throughout the disc when Henry Rollins chimes in with his voiceover. In contrast, famed sexed-up dance music diva Peaches carries off “Great Gig In The Sky” with flying colors in her vocal solo. Remaining oddities of this album are the slowed-down Primus-esque rendition of “Money,” which thankfully omits the cash register sound effects, and the revved-up dance rock take on “On The Run” with Stardeath and the White Dwarfs in tow.
In the end, this is a fun listening experience that is probably not meant to be taken seriously, and for those who were severely let down by the lackluster, lengthy effort Embryonic this past fall, one must indulge in this online treat. |