Veteran psych rockers The Flaming Lips seem to be accelerating into their later career rather than slowing down. The Oklahoma group are in rhapsodic mood on American Head, a lush collection of tracks that dabble in death and drugs.
Lead single Flowers of Neptune 6 is grandiose, with melodies beautifully articulated by the singer Kacey Musgraves. On Will You Return When You Come Down, saccharine violins wrap around you like strings of candy floss, while Assassins of Youth deals in a sprawling, overdriven journey into indie dystopia.
It’s Wayne Coyne’s lyrics that cut through most, though. On You n Me Sellin’ Weed, he tells of small-time dealers and hustlers with dreams of getting out of the game. He’s pensive on Mother Please Don’t Be Sad, a wistful piano ballad envisioned as a conversation from beyond the grave.
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