Anyone check this Flaming Lips 4-disc set out before? I have to have this. Just so I have an excuse to have a party.
Sounds sort of like the Neurosis Times of Grace and Tribes of Neurot companion that was to be played along at the same time; we did that on our college radio once- played a bit of them together over the air from the beginning. But this is insane. Sort of like DVD-Audio discs, only with 8 channels instead of 6.1 or 7.1... I wonder if they'll release this as a dvd-audio once they get those up to 8 separate sound tracks.
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from Amazon.com:
The Flaming Lips have always been experimental, but this one went over the top... Zaireeka is 8 tracks, each with 8 channels, 2 channels per CD. That's right, FOUR CDs, designed to be played simultaneously. This usually means 3 friends, with their own CD players, and a bit of practice to get them to start at the same time (several tracks have an opening section that helps you get it right). You may also want to consult the web for advice on which CD goes with the best bass system, as the bass on some tracks will challenge less capable systems.
Your results may vary. Like almost all Flaming Lips experiences, the first listen is a bit jarring, but it grows on you as time passes. The first track, "Okay I'll Admit I Really Don't Understand" is a good primer for the album, a little disjointed, but has a good Lips groove. Track 2 ("Riding to Work in the Year 2025 (You're Invisible Now)" is a real experience, as well as Track 4 ("A Machine in India"), although the lyrics on the latter may be a little embarrassing in mixed company. The instrumental track 7 ("March of the Rotten Vegetables") is also a highlight.
Overall, the set sounds experimental. It appears that they decided on 4 CDs early in the process, and designed accordingly. It is still fairly well-tuned, but they really indulged themselves in the format. You can hear echoes of The Soft Bulletin, which could be thought of as a Zaireeka effort restricted to a single CD. As in other formats, artists seem to work better when the format restricts them...
All this, and I don't have the album. .... I'll leave it to you whether you want to keep your ears virginal until you can get the 4-CD set, or to listen to the 1-CD mix a few times before you get the full experience. In any case, once you invite your friends over, it may be a good idea to have 1-CD mixes for them to take home, if they are interested. Since the supply of the 4-CD sets are so limited (out of print), it would be a service to invite other Lips fans to any Zaireeka party you may be having...
Sounds sort of like the Neurosis Times of Grace and Tribes of Neurot companion that was to be played along at the same time; we did that on our college radio once- played a bit of them together over the air from the beginning. But this is insane. Sort of like DVD-Audio discs, only with 8 channels instead of 6.1 or 7.1... I wonder if they'll release this as a dvd-audio once they get those up to 8 separate sound tracks.
------------------
from Amazon.com:
The Flaming Lips have always been experimental, but this one went over the top... Zaireeka is 8 tracks, each with 8 channels, 2 channels per CD. That's right, FOUR CDs, designed to be played simultaneously. This usually means 3 friends, with their own CD players, and a bit of practice to get them to start at the same time (several tracks have an opening section that helps you get it right). You may also want to consult the web for advice on which CD goes with the best bass system, as the bass on some tracks will challenge less capable systems.
Your results may vary. Like almost all Flaming Lips experiences, the first listen is a bit jarring, but it grows on you as time passes. The first track, "Okay I'll Admit I Really Don't Understand" is a good primer for the album, a little disjointed, but has a good Lips groove. Track 2 ("Riding to Work in the Year 2025 (You're Invisible Now)" is a real experience, as well as Track 4 ("A Machine in India"), although the lyrics on the latter may be a little embarrassing in mixed company. The instrumental track 7 ("March of the Rotten Vegetables") is also a highlight.
Overall, the set sounds experimental. It appears that they decided on 4 CDs early in the process, and designed accordingly. It is still fairly well-tuned, but they really indulged themselves in the format. You can hear echoes of The Soft Bulletin, which could be thought of as a Zaireeka effort restricted to a single CD. As in other formats, artists seem to work better when the format restricts them...
All this, and I don't have the album. .... I'll leave it to you whether you want to keep your ears virginal until you can get the 4-CD set, or to listen to the 1-CD mix a few times before you get the full experience. In any case, once you invite your friends over, it may be a good idea to have 1-CD mixes for them to take home, if they are interested. Since the supply of the 4-CD sets are so limited (out of print), it would be a service to invite other Lips fans to any Zaireeka party you may be having...
