STACK NZ Feb #81

MUSIC REVIEWS

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The flamng lips

Various Artists T2: Trainspotting Soundtrack The Bodyguard may be the biggest selling soundtrack of all time, but the original Trainspotting OST is arguably the coolest, an inspired blend of iconic faves (Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Brian Eno) and Cool Britannia (Blur, Pulp, Leftfield, etc). The soundtrack to the belated sequel wisely follows a

The vehicle of frontman Wayne Coyne proved that even at the height of post-grunge seriousness in the ‘90s, you were allowed to be silly and have fun. They remain funny, challenging, different and full of the unexpected, so to celebrate the release of their latest psych extravaganza Oczy Mlody , Graham Reid considers the cornerstone albums of The Flaming Lips.

similar template and even tips its hat to the original by book-ending the album with two reworked songs from the first movie: a brutish Prodigy remix of Iggy’s Lust For Life opens proceedings, while Underworld brings the record to a close with a steely retuning of their anthem Born Slippy . The British dance veterans also provide the album’s most moving moment, Eventually But , which features one of the film’s stars Ewen Bremner. Of the newer artists, there are previously unreleased tracks from High Contrast – the sardonic electro glam of Shotgun Mouthwash is one of the album highlights – and Young Fathers ( Only God Knows) , plus spiky contributions fromWolf Alice and Fat White Family. Could have done without Queen and Jason Nevins, but you can never go wrong with The Clash – represented here by (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais – while Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s Relax and Blondie’s Dreaming sound as vital and thrilling as ever. Let's just hope the movie is as good. John Ferguson

Transmissions From The Satellite Heart (1993)

The sort-of hit single She Don't Use Jelly could have had them pinned as a gimmick band, but this album was full of different delights which covered everything from dense rock noise to tripped-out soundscapes. Jelly opened the door but the rest of this opened heads. The Soft Bulletin (1999) After their four-CD project Zaireeka – all discs to be

played either simultaneously or out of synch – this almost seemed very straight-ahead. In actuality it is quite a bent, psychedelic rock album full of textures, concise ideas and an almost symphonic ambition. It was immediately

acclaimed as among the best of the year, if not the decade that was drawing to a close; it had heart and soul but also hit the head. If they grab you with this then find the expanded Soft Bulletin 5.1 edition which came out in 2002. At War With The Mystics (2006) This long awaited and much anticipated follow-up to

Japandroids Near To The Wild Heart Of Life The poetic nonsense that made Japandroids’ first two albums so exquisitely inscrutable is gone; in its place is naked pop lyricism about bars and cars, and last calls and long nights that only furthers their goal of becoming the pop-punk Bruce Springsteens. Some things stay the same: drummer David Prowse is still there, wailing on the tubs and whoa-ohing on the mics, and North American highways still set the scene for King’s search for meaning. But musically, they broaden way out: around their usual power chord barrage is everything from country jangle to synth-rock. If Celebration Rock mirrored the optimism of its time, Wild Heart mirrors the mood of its era too: more sombre searching, and finding hope in small victories. Jake Cleland

Ryan Adams Prisoner

Yoshimi confirmed Coyne's particular genius in songs that alluded to global politics, but also kept the tripped-out component high as they bounced between the almost comedic to ethereal and spacebound rock. Not as easy as Yoshimi , but one for those ready for a challenge. Embryonic (2009) For some there was the sense that Coyne was losing the plot a little with expansive albums, digressions with famous friends, his long-gestating film project Christmas On Mars and so on. But this one – emotional with ruminations on the Big Issues like the powerlessness of humankind (among other themes) – managed to

Ryan Adams' 17th studio album is a map for anyone who is lost or broken. Divorces are tough, right? Moreso, in the public eye? With Mandy Moore? These events left the prolific singer-songwriter with not much more than his music to turn to. The result: 12 tracks about loss, forgiveness, redemption and self-discovery. The track titles imply a darker tone than the album actually produces; Tightrope is a stripped-back affair with a smooth sax solo, Do You Still Love Me? will be the breakup song of the year, title track Prisoner will resonate long after your first listen, and the harmonica peppered throughout is perfectly placed for reflection. Adams never misses the mark – on this or any other album. Tim Lambert

marry the ideas with great songs and sonic landscapes, as well as a little necessary humour. If some of his music since has been a little off target, you'd never count out The Flaming Lips. And also... The very early Lips stuff is gathered on the three-CD collection Finally The Punk Rockers Are Taking Acid , released in late 2002 – well worth seeking out to hear where they came from. If you like that, check out The Day They Shot A Hole In The Jesus Egg , a double-CD collection also from 2002, released to take advantage of the band’s high profile after Yoshimi .

For more from Graham Reid, visit www.elsewhere.co.nz .

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