The Psych Rock Lounge

"Finally the Punk Rockers are taking Acid"  (now out of print) is a triple CD set released on the heels of the Lips mega hit Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots in 2002, featuring the Flaming Lips' self-titled EP and their first three LP's ("Hear It Is", "Oh My Gawd!!!", and "Telepathic Surgery"), plus some bonus tracks (demos/covers/etc). The premise of this collection and special extensive liner notes is to clarify, frankly, that LSD use was the Lips key factor in adding psychedelic touches to their earlier more hardcore sounding punk based guitar rock, something that they humorlessly tried to hide from the hardcore punk scene at that time, because acid use was looked down on by the punks as a hippie-ism, and punks hated hippies. Even future member and multi instrumentalist Steven Drozd adds commentary on why he sought out the Lips and recalls his own prog/new wave background and his listening experiences to these early Lips records while tripping.  

The early Lips' songs  are hit or miss. If you're only familiar with "The Soft Bulletin" or "Yoshimi" era Lips, this will be a shock. If your familiar with the heavy acid tinged psych rock of "In A Priest Driven Ambulance", imagine that material but more toned down in guitar distortion. That's a good description of The Flaming Lips' early material. Like the title suggests, rooted in punk rock, and glossed over in a druggy, psychedelic haze.

The EP features Wayne Coyne's brother on lead vocals (he left shortly afterwards). Songs like "Scratchin' at the Door" meander left and write without any real melody. It sure is an interesting listen though.

That applies to 1986's "Hear It Is" as well. Highlights include "With You" (power ballad + screeching guitar noise), "Jesus Shootin' Heroin" (scariest song ever), "Trains, Brains & Rain" (which has a genuine pop hook), and "Godzilla Flick" (a mournful accoustic ballad).

1987's "Oh My Gawd!!!" is probably the most accessible album on here. Some of the more memorable moments include: "Everythings Explodin" (a noisy assault), "Maximum Dream for Evil Knievel" (a trippy, Pink Floyd like dirge), "The Ceiling is Bendin" (a delicious slice of warped psychedelia), "Thanks To You" (which borrows from Led Zeppelin's "Thank You", which is actually covered later in the set), and "Love Yer Brain" (a mid-tempo ballad which culminates in a destroyed piano and a loop from "Tomorrow Never Knows").

1988's "Telepathic Surgery" is the most sprawling and difficult of the three. But there's some good stuff to be found; "Chrome-Plated Suicide" (a pop song that borrows heavily from "Sweet Child O' Mine"), "Right Now" (raucous fun), "Miracle on 42nd Street", "Begs & Achin" (more racuous fun), "Shaved Gorilla" (which sounds like The Cure in a twisted sort of way), and the totally bizarre "UFO Story".