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December 29th, 2009
05:56 PM ET
Fans divided over Lips' 'Dark Side' remake testing captions Many die-hard Pink Floyd fans aren’t happy about a remake of one of the biggest-selling albums of all time, the beloved “Dark Side of the Moon,” by the psychedelic alternative rock group, the Flaming Lips. Others love it. There just seems to be no in-between. “ ’Dark Side of the Moon’ is one of the most successful, beloved and influential albums of all time,” said M. Tye Comer, executive editor of Billboard.com. “Granted there have been other bands that have covered it in the past but I think when you have someone take on an album of this stature someone out there will cry out blasphemy.” The album was released on Tuesday, though it has been available on iTunes since December 22. The Lips will join forces with Star Death and the White Dwarfs to perform the album in its entirety on New Year's Eve at the Cox Convention Center in their hometown of Oklahoma City. Pink Floyd covers have cropped up in Flaming Lips performances before, most notably at the Bonnaroo music festival in 2003, but have never raised as many hackles from Floyd fans as this new album. To supply the eerie vocals heard on the Pink Floyd record, the Lips enlisted the help of Canadian electro-pop singer Peaches and singer and spoken-word artist Henry Rollins. On the Flaming Lips' own Web site, fans of Pink Floyd expressed their disparate views of the band’s efforts. A poster with the handle “Novel” said, “This is generic & a complete & total flop. I'm embarrassed by it. The Lips version just doesn't work. It sounds 'made up' & completely synthetic. Souless & underwhelming. I'm quite shocked by [its] lameness.” On the other end of the spectrum, a poster named “Graggor” wrote, “I think you can see in the album how the lips have a genuine appreciation of the ideas and themes in the album.” On the iTunes Web site, where customers can rate an album between one and five stars, the number of one-star reviews was fairly evenly matched with the number of five-star reviews, with few reviewers falling in the middle. Rants and raves range from “Seriously, great and loving it” to “this is the worst decision of their life.”
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Come on everybody, the original version is overplayed, why not let someone else have a go at it? It's not sacred. Just because 500 million people bought it doesn't mean it can't be covered. 600 million people bought Hall and Oats records, and I'd much rather hear someone take a go at those than listen to the originals.
I can't help but laugh whenever I hear someone referring to the Flaming Lips as a "new" or "young" band... anyone with any sort of basic music knowledge over the last few decades would know that the Lips have been making music for 25+ years and have a discography that is more prolific and influential than the vast majority of their peers. As others have mentioned here, "The Soft Bulletin" and "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots" are widely regarded as two of the greatest albums of the last 20 years.
So by all means, go right ahead and blindly display your ignorance... in the meantime I'll just be sitting here having a good chuckle.
I think that most of the negative comments on here stem from people who don't understand the concept of a cover album. I was at the New Year's celebration in Oklahoma City in which the Lips covered the album from start to finish. It was a breathtaking, amazing show done in total darkness with one of the most incredible laser shows I've ever seen. Wayne Coyne obviously has a deep appreciation for Pink Floyd's music.
His intent was not to create anything to replace or rival Dark Side of the Moon, but to recreate it in his own way. By the way, the Lips are a brilliantly creative band and anyone who says otherwise is unfamiliar with them, and has certainly never seen one of their live shows, for which they are WELL known.
Oh yeah, Henry Rollins is a wimp who picks on little kids to feel like a man (see interviews on youtube). I saw him punch a kid on stage in Dallas. For years I've heard stories from those who've met him; he is a total creep. Stop worshipping this ugly little jerk! (By the way, he ruined Black Flag.)
No original ideas or talent? Just borrow from the past success of others and do a remake. Hollywood does it constantly and we eat it up. Fans of this band are getting what they deserve: Lame attempts at imitating real rock n roll. This just proves it.
they have done the worst possible thing they could do. i hope the world sees this release as unacceptable.
this mockery is the biggest slap in the face of music ever known.
the failing lips need to RETIRE...
kristen: I'd certainly hope nick from Pink Floyd would be rolling in his grave. I hope he'd be clawing and screaming, since he's not actually dead yet.
What makes me laugh is that these so called FLOYD fans always seem to disregard that whole era, from 1968 to 1972, where the Floyd did their most experimental work. Or as Dave Gilmour has put it: "All that psychedelic noodling bulls**t".
Either they refuse to acknowledge it or they have no clue to anything earlier than Dark Side.
A lot of what they did during that time was considered to be very UN-Musical by many a critic. Many of their live performances consisted of long drawn out pieces of soundscapes and textures.
Hell in1969 they sawed and hammered wood during a number on stage and during their 1970 tour they made breakfast on stage. After UMMAGUMMA they laid down some track for their new album that was going to be made from sounds using household items (eventually scraped though).
To me this will always be Floyds best era. The era of artistic searching. With DSOTM, every album since has followed the same formula. Not saying that they didn't create excellent work, just that it became sorta cookie cutter to a degree.
...and who said Floyd "NEVER USED COMPUTERS" to make their music...what the hell ya think a VCS 3 Synth is. It's a sequencing synthisizer aka A COMPUTER. And I suppose they didn't use any on the making of Momentary Lapse or The Division Bell either.
The LIPS, like The FLOYD before them, embraces new technology when it becomes available. But unlike The Floyd, The Lips in their 20+ year career, really haven't stuck to any formula.
No, PF members were not asked to approve the project.
Members and participants aren't impressed. The attempt is noteworthy, but unflattering. Maybe Alan Parsons would have a different insightful comment? Some musical masterpieces are best left as is.
I can't stand the baby boomers that think music ceased being good once they got jobs and had families. Sure, the 60's and 70's produced some great stuff- The Beatles, Pink Floyd, most of the Rolling Stones catalogue and Dylan, among others. However, as Ummmm stated, much of the 60's early 70s has not stood the test of time. You aging hippies can keep your fleetwood mac, dave clark 5, traffic, santana. There are many artists today that generate just as good material as any of the best from the "classic rock" era. I'll take Wilco, Band of Horses, Flaming Lips, Radiohead, Arcade Fire any day over your phoney baloney hippie stuff. I'd put Jeff Tweedy's songwriting up there with any of teh songwriters of the 60's/70's. Someone criticized Wayne's voice and suggested if he is a singer we are all singers. maybe he is not the most skilled singer, but it works. It's not supposed to sound like Joe Cocker or Maria Carey. Just like dylan by no means had the singing skills of Pavoratti.
You are completely wrong Eagle. Wayne himself has stated MANY times that he has an awful voice, and doesn't consider himself a singer at all. Seeing as you now can be considered a singer, create an album, or heck even cover DSoTM by yourself and release it for us to hear.
People are forgetting that the original still exists, this is just a hobby thing for the Lips to release. I'm willing to wager that most who have commented have not even listened to the album in question, or have any previous listening experience on other Flaming Lips albums. The band is brilliant, plain and simple.
Its an interesting listen, but overall not great... I find the lack of guitar on the album amusing. David Gilmour is just too hard to imitate it seems. Bottom line is, you can't mess with the best!
It's clear that many of the people posting comments here have no understanding of what The Flaming Lips are about.
Attacking the Lips for being uncreative is about the most uninformed thing someone could possibly do.
Listen to The Soft Bulletin (1999) and get back to me.
I'm sure it's not as good as Easy Star Allstars – Dubside of the moon. At least they reworked the songs into a different genre of music (reggae)
To reply to an earlier post: East Star is a record label. Dubside of the moon was done with various musicians on that reecord label, with some outside singers also,
To Ummmm,
You are quite correct, the Flaming Lips ARE creative and clever. Let me know when they become musical. If their singer is a singer then we're all singers. Popular music has been such garbage these days that it's not even described in musical terms. It's all kitsch and glam consumed by the inexperienced.
I love how all the people on here complaining about the Lips remaking DSotM probably haven't heard it, and are regurgitating things they've heard people say about it. Many are asking "Why can't they make their own new music?" without realizing that this novelty release was the Lips' second of the year. Just a few months before, they released the great original album "Embryonic" and a half-dozen B-sides (which they gave away for free to fans who saw them perform live this year.)
This release is a novelty re-imagining of the Floyd album–not a note-for-note re-recording. It is not meant to sound anything at all like Pink Floyd. Why would it? Why should it? This is not the early 1970's Abbey Road Studios-era recording. Many artists have performed similar re-inventions of the album. A number of bands have done so in a live setting as well (Phish did it in 1998.) No matter the result, the influence of the album in musical and lyrical terms is evident. This is what Floyd purists aren't understanding. They should be proud to see any band undertake such a project, instead they whine.
Any one concerned should listen to "Dub Side of the Moon". It is a full on reggae version of the Dark Side album. It is awesome!
This isn't the first time Dark Side has been re-done...to be honest I'm not a flaming lips fan at all...so I haven't listened to their cover yet. But I do own a copy of the Reggae Dark Side, and that is Fabulous!
I think its a nice ploy to get someone to listen to you.
To the musicians of today, some humble advice – go to school for music. Learn theory and get interested in classical music so you can actually know the language of music and maybe even drag todays music out of the seriously dead holding pattern its currently in. Bands get lucky here and there with a hit single and it propels them into superstardom, but it would be nice to actually have musicans around like Pink Floyd again. With them, every song was about art. Today's music is about making the hit single. Well I hope that the quick million dollars lasts for these trash bands occupying the airways, because they'll be on next years one-hit-wonder list.
If you want to sell out and not have respect for your art, knock yourself out. As far as copying Dark Side of The moon goes, maybe you should copy Eddie Grant's 'Electric Avenue'...Im sure he could use the recognition a bit more than the members of some of my heros in Pink Floyd.
Wish you were still here Richard Wright – me miss you
The Flaming Lips are still going strong, taking risks, and playing excellent live shows that clearly demonstrate their talent. Read and learn about their 2009 album "Embryonic" –
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13522-embryonic/
To the many, many folks stuck in the classic rock genre secretly yearning for something new I'd invite you to explore the many indie artists making creative and beautiful music. A few suggestions for lovers of...
The Beatles- Dr. Dog
CSNY-Fleet Foxes
Pink Floyd-Animal Collective
The Rollings Stones-Spoon
You won't hear this music on a standard radio station but in the past year or so it has come to dominate TV commercials, movie trailers, and movie soundtracks ("New Moon, for example)
Minneapolis has a fantastic radio station. Stream it online....
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/the_current/
Phish did DSOTM live in Utah in 1998. It was awesome.
Some of Phish's best songs are covers.
Anyone saying this is bad simply because it is a band playing another band's album is a moron.
With that said, I haven't heard it yet so will reserve judgment.
how ridiculous is this??? why would anyone even want to run the risk of tarnishing the greatest rock album of ALL time???
it doesn't matter how good their original stuff is because this is not original. it's just another shining display of the lack of talent in music today. you look at the charts today...just a bunch of teenagers who have no creativity. everything they do was already a hit for someone else in the 80's. hell, some bitch remade i want you to want me by cheap trick. i wonder when miley cyrus is going to remake the beatles white album, or maybe the jonas brothers will remake the rolling stones exile on main street.
bands today suck! it's not about "feeling" anymore, it's all about money. even if the flaming lips are a good band when they're doing their original stuff, i'll never listen to them just because they tried to remake dark side. that alone is enough to keep me away, and i will bet a LARGE amount of money that i do not stand alone there.
R.I.P. flaming lips...i'll be there to piss on your grave when this failed attempt puts you there.
The Flaiming Lips can do whatever they want. If you don't want to hear it don't buy it. Simple.
Seeing as how opinions are subjective, all of these arguments are largely irrevelant. What one person finds enjoyable, the other may not. Live and let be.
to all of those making comments like "can't write your own material", the flaming lips are one of the most clever and creative bands of all time. That is why this album is generating interest. They certainly can write a song. Their "original" album The Soft Bulliten is one of the most brilliant records of all time. You baby boomers seem to think that music ceased after the early 70's. Well, 95% of your hippie classic rock doesn't stand the test of time. Give me Wilco, Flaming Lips, Old 97's over your Eric Clapton, Stevie Windwood, Strawberry Alarmclock, Fleetwood Mac crap any day.
Dream Theatre did a fantastic job, The Flaming Lips, well at least my parrot seemed to enjoy the new birdcage lining....
Not being any good if you do cover songs? Bands "nowadays" only doing covers? Bands never used to do covers? Are you kidding me? The entire 50's music scene was white people redoing black songs. The 60's were dominated by the Beatles who spent YEARS playing cover songs. Just people a band wants to pay some respect to one of their idols and put their own interpretation on the music, doesn't mean they are out of ideas or that the current state of music is in epic decline. As stated previously...no one is forcing you to listen to it...if you don't want like it, change the station/don't buy it.
I hate reverence. I think there is no place for it in rock and roll. And I think that the Flaming Lips have crafted a superior version of the record, if only because post-Syd Barrett Pink Floyd took itself too damn seriously.
CNN stopped being a news network when they fired anyone who could spell or use correct grammar.
Ok, bad cover version aside: the Flaming Lips' new album Embryonic is great, and quite original, and sounds very much like an homage to early Syd Barrett-era Floyd, but done entirely in the Lips own very modern style. Then, when you look at other Lips albums like the amazing Soft Bulletin or Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, you realize that this is a band that's capable of greatness on their own. Each of those three albums is among the best albums of their respective decades (one in the 90's and two in the 2000's).
The idea that a bunch of non-fans don't like their cover of DSOTM doesn't bother me in the slightest, but a bunch of non-fans talking about the state of modern music and the lack of originality in relation to the Flaming Lips doesn't make any sense whatsoever. There's no lack of talent in that band, nor is this a project that should be taken too seriously either. This was clearly them just having a good time with a piece of work they respected. Nothing wrong with that at all.
This is, after all, the same band that released an album meant to be played on 4 separate CD players at once, and spent nearly a decade making an awful homemade sci-fi movie. It's all done out of both love and fun. If you can't get that latter aspect, then you need not comment.
Waste of bandwidth. I tried a few songs, but could not listen to the entire album. Don't mess with a classic!
These pseudo bands kill me. They put out a bunch of crap and now want to remake a classic LP, one that has stood the test of time. There is nothing fresh about the Lips or any of these other retard groups whoring their so-called music. They're a complete joke and for idiots to buy into this "remake" well they're....IDIOTS!!
Here's the thing no one seems to get. Maybe the album sucks, or maybe its brilliant. It does not, in no way, shape, or form, erase the awesomeness that is Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Their album still exists. So, really, it's like a cows opinion, it just doesn't matter. Why make a big deal out of this? If you don't like it, don't listen to it.
floyd did all their music without computers. Only talent could create something so great AS DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
I'm curious to know how many negative posters have ever listened to a Lips album. Yoshimi Battles Pink Robots is in and of itself a work of art. And why, Why, would any artist–in an attempt to pay homage, mind you–do anything other than give their artistic interpretation of the that which they love? Seriously, if you can't appriciate the Lips, then this wasn't meant for you, anyway. It wasn't built to please Floyd fans, but to offer a view of something beautiful in a way that Lips/Floyd-overlapping fans would appriciate! And to the poster who commented that no one can write songs these days and they must, instead, copy from the past--where have you been? I'm not even going to attempt to build a list of artists who prove you wrong, aside from the Lips (coughcoughRadioheadcoughcough). I think Wayne would still give you all a hug, nonetheless.
Total BULL $#@!!!!!!
Pink Floyd is one of the worst bands of all time. Any cover of any songs by them is an exponential improvement of the crap originally produced and recorded
The flaming lips suck. i hate their music. I personally think its awfull.
That being said, as a musician i think that by redoing that album they are paying the highest of tributes to pink floyd. Why else would a successfull band take the time and effort to release such an album, to honor a great band. i havent heard it so i cant pass judgement. But for that, they have my respect.
First off let me say that I've been a FLOYD freak since the age of 7 when I first heard MEDDLE back in the 70's. Let me continue by saying I am also a retarded LIPS fan, as well, ever since hearing OH MY GAWD...IT's THE FLAMING LIPS back in 1986 when it was released.
Listening to the latter album, one can easily see the influence Pink Floyd has had on Wayne and company. The album is an almost companion piece to Floyd's soundtrack album to the film MORE. If anyone even bothers with pre-DSOTM era Floyd material.
Whats most revealing by most of these posts is that not many people even know who the LIPS are. I won't expand as many have here already. But I would like to make a personal response to WHENTHEEAGLEFLIES.
You don't see any comparison between Floyd and the Lips at all? You claim because the Lips play "Layered, fuzzed out psychedelic music with long obscure titles and have dancing aliens, balloons and stage confettii" they're unable to produce a decent track. They have won 2 Grammys in the past 2 years for their work. Where's Floyd's Grammy? Oh BTW...ever hear the song "SEVERAL SPIECES OF SMALL FURRY ANIMALS GATHERED TOGETHER IN A CAVE GROOVING WITH A PICT" or "SET THE CONTROLS FOR THE HEART OF THE SUN", ooo or crazy psychedelic Floyd tracks like INTERSTELLAR OVERDRIVE, POW R TOC H, QUICKSILVER, ABSOLUTELY CURTAINS or HEART BEAT, PIG MEAT.........There's a lot you seem to need to learn about both bands
Flaming lips are like the kid that grows up wanting to become an architect.
He's kinda smart, smart enough to do what is required of him to obtain his degree (it's on paper, see!!) and start his practice. But there is one small problem, his buildings all fall down, Doesn't matter really. His clients don't mind and he gets paid anyway. $$$!! Mainly because of those fabulous suits he wears, and his smartly tousled hair...
who the hell do they think they are? i mean seriously!! if you suck so bad creatively, that you can't create music of your own, you have to remake an entire album, then it's time to hang it up... god this make me sick
With the Lips version of DSoTM they took creative liberty where they could but left well enough alone in the parts that matter. How could any Pink Floyd/DSoTM fan not enjoy Great Gig in the Sky on the Lips album? I also LOVE the Bass Balls sound on Money. I think that the album has been done some justice in that the Flaming Lips thought it worth their time to cover in the first place (and some guts to attempt it). What would you rather? Lips trying to do their best to interpret the album, or someone sampling it for a hip hop song and not giving credit where it's due?
ok – so I posted one of the first comments here and just checked back to see what everyone else was thinking about this album – wow if nothing else I applaud everyones passion if nothing else- and I apologize, yes it was The Easy Star All-Stars (not Reggae All Stars as I wrote) – I still don't really care for the Lips version but come on people, who would've thought that fans of two of musics most creative and unstructured acts could be so uptight – the choice of The Flaming Lips to cover Pink Floyd is actually a logical one in my opinion (even if I personally don't care for the result) The Flaming Lips are a talented band that a) is not afraid to experiment with their sound and doesn't churn out cookie cutter crap for FM airtime and remind me a LOT of Pink Floyd (more so from the Syd Barret era) and b) put on one of the few live shows that at least attempt to visually as well as aurally entertain on the level that Pink Floyd once did – I would NEVER attempt to speak for any of the geniuses that created that wonderful masterpiece DSoTM but I can't for one second imagine that any member of Floyd (with us still or not) would have anything less than praise for fellow musicians who are clearly bestowing an honor upon them –
It is funny to see people complain at how "uncreative" the Flaming Lips are for their redo of Dark Side. I bet almost all the naysayers have never listened to any of their music and are just reacting to the fact that a band has the guts to remake a classic. I haven't listened to the remake myself, but I'm sure most of the people commenting on here haven't, either. Before you criticize a band, how about knowing something about their music first. Check out albums like The Soft Bulletin, Zaireeka, or Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and then get back with me on how "uncreative" the Lips are.
This is AWFUL!
Awful
awful.
nick and syd are rolling in their graves.
What is really sad about music these days is the complete lack of any classical training in the basics. Anyone can go buy an electronic instrument, sample a few notes, put them on infinite looped replay and add some blather to it. All of the best early contributors to modern rock had a sound basis in understanding melody, counter melody, refrains, and everything else that went along with a stint in the band through high school. It is amazing that screaming, sampling and excessive rhythm have taken over the music business. Interpretive artists are lamely grasping for something like originality. Too much emphasis on special effects, pedals, and odd noises have replaced the ability to create an original masterpiece like Dark Side of the Moon or even a career-spanning stretch of catchy pop tunes. I feel sorry for today's kids, maybe they'll discover the classics and realize you don't play stadiums for 20 years without talent, and sampling is devoid of talent.
I have been a hugh Pink Floyd fan for a long time, I have also listened to the Flaming Lips for quite a while. I am not opposed to the idea of the Lips covering Darkside but I will enter into it with caution. Their have been some horrible covers of DSOTM in the past but also some great. Easy Star All Stars did a fantastic cover with "Dubside of the Moon." and later went on to cover Radiohead's "OK computer" and the Beatles "Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" with spectacular sound and interesting interpretations of each artists original themes. I'm going to give the Lips a chance, it might be horrid and it may make me listen to DSOTM over and over again for a week to get the bad taste out of my ears but I am not opposed to a tribute and reinterpretation of the music.
The band that made Dub Side of the Moon is named: The Easy Star All-Stars. Just wanted to make that clear because I think everybody should search out and listen to this version of "Dark Side." Very entertaining. Haven't heard the Lips version so will withhold a snap judgement.
I LOVE Henry Rollins! This makes me want to listen automatically...plus the Flaming Lips are killer live, saw them w/Butthole Surfers and STP years ago at Dirt Country Music Park in OH....LOL...yes, there was such a place and what a to-die-for-show. These people are all very talented, and honestly? Let them have fun...everything else in the universe is being re-done and re-made – it's interesting, and probably very good. Also, the Lips are sooooo not a young band – very cool. And I love DSOTM, and Pink Floyd – not all recraftings are bad.
dear citizenusa:
i follow quite a bit of music from the 60's, the real psychedilc stuff (13th floor elevators, mothers of invention, soft machine, electric prunes, jefferson airplane, etc, not crap like grateful dead). the music was quite inventive at the time, but also borrowed from a lot of blues and jazz, it was only groundbreaking in terms of pop music.
i never said flaming lips had 'depth', i listened to them as a rock band and one of the best live acts in the history of rock. you just had to be there and have seen 1000+ concerts ranging from small clubs to arena rock to fully understand what they were all about.
so go back and listen to your scratched up 60's classic rock stuff and relive your boring hippie past. good music has been made and continues to be made. it's not what you did in the past but rather what you are doing now that makes you relevant...how you push the envelope towards the future.
and that's what makes the flaming lips more relevant than pink floyd or the rolling stones who just recycle the same crap for 30+ years. personally i don't like a lot of lips stuff after yoshimi, but that's just me. but at least they are moving forward, even if it's ever so slowly.
The undercrackers will not be ignoreded
Check out the 'band' Out of Phase for great floyd covers. They have dsotm, wywh, animals, and the wall. All great covers.
Anyone who is familiar with the Flaming Lips understands their redo of this album. This one has a lot of Lips sound from their most recent album on it, which by the way is a fantastic record. People who complain" why can't people make their own music" have no clue about Wayne and the boys anyway so disregard their comments, while they turn on the radio and listen to another Auto-Tuned POS. The Flaming Lips, along with Friedman as a FANTASTIC producer have been changing the music horizon for years, and the Lips are a "musicians" band, not one that is going to appeal to everyone's tastes. I for one enjoy their take on the album, and this certainly isn't a flash in the pan idea for them. I saw a Flaming Lips concert over 7 years ago and the guys finished the concert off with a cover of Breathe as an encore.
Are the people saying the lips need to rely on DSoTM to sell tickets aware that the lips are a touring band with a huge following that sells plenty of tickets and this DSOTM show is just a special thing they are doing for fun? The ignorance on display here is staggering.
Answer me this? Why is every one picking on the lips for this one off cover concert when there are bands like the Australian Pink Floyd show that tour the world and make their living playing non stop pink floyd cover concerts? If the flaming lips are the worst band in the world "apparantly" for covering the album once how bad are the various floyd tribute bands?
Phish can cover anything because they are talented and respect the music. But they also did it live at a show, and they did it for the phans because it was a snow storm and not many people showed. they didnt do it to make money on like apparently flaming lips is trying to do. pretty lame if you ask me.
Ah, you are so wise to look into your magic 8-ball and peer into the depths of one's soul and learn their motivations. It MUST be true...it was a selfish cash grab by one of the nicest bands ever. How dare them release this at $7.99 a pop? How dare The Lips conspire with poor Henry Rollins, Peaches, and Stardeath and the White Dwarves to make this travesty. Oh, the humanity.
Thank Jesus shooting heroin that you dolts don't control art in this universe. Oh, and just to get the morons riled up, the Lips recorded a song called "Jesus Shooting Heroin". Commence with the unfounded outrage...
Just listened to it... I like the Flaming Lips and I like Pink Floyd, I don't like this rendition of the greatest rock album of all time. Easy Star All-Stars did it way better while keeping it true to the original. Don't buy this album, buy Dub Side of the Moon if you want a good cover album.
I think it is a great tribute to the original. The Lips are obviously honoring the Pink Floyd album. I think they may turn on some new people to the PF version.
"The fact that the highlight of their concert revolves around riding on the coat tails of the great Pink Floyd ..."
Obviously has never seen the Lips live. Dancing aliens, confetti cannons, and Wayne singing while covered in fake blood. The Lips are one of the true show stoppers at a big festival like Bonnaroo or ACL. I have seen many, many shows since the mid 70s, and the Flaming Lips are unique.
And, "Cash in"? Do you realize (Lips joke) that Floyd gets royalties every time they do this?
Still familiar with the term Homage, anyone?
As far as I'm aware, DSOTM is STILL on the Billboard charts...it has some ridiculous record of being on the top 100 for x amount of years. I'm all into giving your musical influences props, but this is merely a cash-grab by the Lips.
Both albums are vastly over-rated.
The Lips, though are a far better band.
It might be worth checking out. Will it compare favorably to the original. No way. Just as a modern version of The Mona Lisa would not compare favorably. However, it might still be good (or it might suck).
"Just a hodgepodge of noise that almost sounds like an old great album."
this is the best reason to listen to it!
Sad that musicians/artists of some note have to try to prolong their fame and career by working up something like this, instead of trying to make their own unique "Dark Side of the Moon." I guess at some point the self awareness that they just aren't that great, and that their bills still had to be paid, was overwhelming, and this is the result.
At least it wasn't the wall.
Dear 666,
Anyone who compares the depth of material of a band they have been following since the 80's, to bands that started in the early sixties, doesn't deserve to be commenting here.
I don't know where people got the misconception that music has always been about playing your own material exclusively. All of the greatest musicians have played covers and sometimes even rip offs of other peoples' work.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
I'm listening to it now. Not a bad idea to remake a classic. Just a bad album. If Floyd's version didn't come out first & people were hearing this for the first time, it would just be awful. Just a hodgepodge of noise that almost sounds like an old great album.
It is nice to see current bands paying tribute to greater bands. However, I do not believe they should have released an album of Dark Side of the Moon. If they had stayed with performing it live for NYE, great. But they are now trying to cash in on someone else’s success. To me, Pink Floyd is one of the greatest, most original bands of all time and it is very hard for anybody to match their style and intensity in the music industry. This album will not have the same effect on the music world as the original did. Nice try, Flaming Lips. Now proceed back to making your own original music.
Hilarious! Ok, in order to preserve your apparently delicate sensibilities, I suggest NEVER seeing a movie based on a book, or a remake of a film, and NEVER walk into a bar where you might hear live music because there's a good chance they might be something they call a "cover" band. This "cover" band could be playing a song you like and that's not something you'd want to expose yourself. In some cases, these "cover" bands have the NERVE to arrange the song to their liking. They call this "making it their own" which is also evil. In this case, the evil "cover" band applies imagination and originality to the song they are ruining.
Oh, by the way, I love Pink Floyd but let's be honest...they've been doing crappy covers of their own music for years. It is high time someone brought some much needed pride and respect to their catalog because Gilmour's version of The Floyd is a travesty. Here's what I can't wait for – Roger Waters coming forward and hailing the Lips version as a great one. Where will your misplaced outrage be then?
The Dream Theater version is amazing. Give it a listen. No, it's not the same, but it is great none the less.
Write your OWN music and make your money off that! Everyday i turn on the radio and someone is sampling or remaking someone else's music! How creative is that! Art is dead!
Have you people forgot how Rock n' Roll started??? It was remaking and redesigning American blues music. The remake may suck (I haven't listened to it), but blasphemy???? Com'on...It's just a remake!
The point (for me) is not that a band covered the LP and that in and of itself is a bad thing, as I stated previously, The Easy Star AllStars re-envisioning of DSOTM was pretty phenomenal, and totally did the LP justice. Flaming Lips tho? They should stick to their regular guitar noodling and wanky pseudo psychedelic garage rock garbage, and NOT taint a classic like this.
It's all about delivery, what they delivered was a steaming pile of doggy pooh.
Why would any band let alone the Flaming Lips try to cover such a master piece. Dark Side of the Moon has been in a class by itself since its release and will remain there for eternity.
Hey Maven, where would you want them to get opinions on something like this then?? get a life.
I have no idea why a band of any kind let alone the flaming lips would attempt to cover a album that stands in a class by itself.
These comments make me weep for humanity.
How much talent does it take to RE-DO a piece of art. Have you ever seen a RE-DO of the Mona Lisa. Why would anyone do it? Can't they write their own music? Does any one remember the RE-DO of Sargent Peppers by the Bee Gees and others as being any good compaired with the original? I guess your mind doesent work as well when your old and washed up.
Here's a thought. If you don't like the idea of the cover album , then...
wait for it...
Don't listen to the new one.
There now, was that so hard?
What a load of crap on this comment thread. For one, bands covering their favorite albums is not new. If you listened to more than just mainstream radio or albums from the 70s, you might know this. And, to all of the people assuming the Lips ran out of ideas, you are also clueless. For your information, the Lips JUST released a double album a few months ago. Their entire catalog is massive and an even bigger influence on musicians and fans everywhere. Yes, the Easy All Stars version is great too, but it is 100% faithful. The Lips managed to recreate the album yet make it their own at the same time.
That said, there's nothing wrong with not finding an album to your tastes, but until you've made over 10 records, your own movie, inspired millions of people worldwide, then keep the jealousy to yourself.
I was at the Bonnaroo show menioned in the post. When they busted out some Floyd it was sublime (not the band). They even had Dorothy of Oz fame in the background. I kept thinking they would do the classic DSotM/Wizard of Oz synch but it true FLips fashion, it just got downright weird (but in a good way).
For the incredulous posters, have you listened to it at all or are you just angry that one really good band decided to cover an album of another really good band? Hearing new takes on classics should only make you appreciate the original even more. Give it a shot and step outside of your holes.
After listening it to it a few more times it seems almost cute. Like a garage band doing Pink Floyd. I suppose if they make some money and the remaining members of the Pink Floyd get there checks it doesn't hurt anyone does it?
Who knows there may be a day when the Floyds songs become standards just like On Green Dolphin street, Take the "A" train and Giant Steps are in jazz.
Remakes are just that – remakes. Everyone does it. Even the Beatles and Elvis to go back to the roots of Rock did remakes. There is nothing wrong with it. Just another interpretation. I have not listened to the Flaming Lips version of DSOTM and doubt that I will run out and buy it.
I am sure the Flaming Lips did not do this out of arrogance, expecting to best the Pink Floyd version. Simply an act of reverence.
Do you not sing to the songs you like? You don't do it because you hate it, I am sure...
Everybody's acting as if "redoing" (more like "reimagining") someone else's work is cheating, lazy, or disreputable. All art is theat. Of the 30-something plays Shakespeare wrote, maybe 2 or 3 were "original" - the rest were "covers."
And some people here are referring to the Flaming Lips as if they were a "young," fly-by-night band. They have three decades of music behind them and are probably one of the 10 most important groups still recording right now.
Lance corporal, Does "smoking a fattie" decrease you use of periods or increase your use of commas? I can't tell.
they've done lots of remakes from louis armstrong to judy garland. Whether you thinks it's good, bad or taboo, you have to admit it's always interesting for at least one listen.
Their 'soft bulletin' album has background vocals that were inspired by a 1930's Gulliver's Travels animation.
They've mixed 'dark side' songs with 'wizard of oz' songs which i thought was a better idea than this new album. If they released that on album instead, i wouldn't hesitate to buy it.
Why is it ok to like the album but everybody gets blasted for criticizing it? Everyone wants to express their opinion – Obviously everyone knows they have the choice to listen to it or not. It was listened to, an opinion was made and typed out here. Why get mad about that?
That Album should be left alone. And I don't care how many ideas they do or don't have. Its Sacrilege. They could write a song called "Gee, I really like Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon" if they want to pay it tribute. Remaking the album is wrong.
Actually, Maven and Steve TOG, you're kind of dumb. You are reading a blog on the CNN site. Not the actual news.
the lips suck.... really loooong before this, they're just not very good and it's not a taste style thing, I like similar bands these guys lack talent and that is why they're doing this much cover material and thats what it is a cover, they're not bringing a new approach to it, they're not improving it (at all!) this is crass commercialism, I have no prob with folks making money but the original is art and it's a bit of a pisser that these hacks are gonna make $s doing a crappy redo(not interpretation) of it, but in the bigger pic who cares, I still have the original and I still have the memory of hearing it when it was new driving down hiway 41 to bonita beach in the back of a custom van with a killer stereo smoking a fattie....THAT is how you listen to dark side of the moon!
A Saucer Full Of Pink was a great tribute/cover album,but this?Has to be a joke right?
Whats next,Kiss doing a remake of Electric Ladyland?
Simon Posford and Raja Ram should have done a remake of DSOTM..
np: A Saucerful of Pink – Din – On The Run "A Tribute to Pink Floyd"
Lips fan and Floyd fan here. This is just a tribute to one of the best albums of all time. It's apparent the Lips aren't trying to make it better.
I think I fall somewhere in the middle of the ratings. I'd say 4 stars maybe. I have to say that "Time" is amazing.
I'm a Floyd fan (not a fanatic), and I have generally liked the Flaming Lips' work. I saw them open for Beck when they played a set mostly dervied from their Yoshimi album.
But this cover album is pure rubbish. In no way is this a tribute to the great Pink Floyd work: Dark Side of the Moon. I feel bad for the Lips because they'll have a difficult time living this down.
Someone could have handed me this trash on a disc and told me it was their 14 y/o cousin and a group of his friends screwing around with a computer synthesizer and some instruments, and I would have told the person giving it to me to advise their cousin that he and his friends should pursue interests other than music.
simply apalling...we have redo's in movies and now we can expect the same in music? what a waste of creativity and originality...
The Flaming Lips might want to try writing a song, maybe even learn something about melodic structure and chord progression. According to Wikipedia (see below) they're about everything but music ...
"The band is known for their lush, multi-layered, psychedelic arrangements, spacey lyrics and bizarre song and album titles—for example, "Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles", "Free Radicals (A Hallucination of the Christmas Skeleton Pleading with a Suicide Bomber)" and "Yeah, I Know It's a Drag... But Wastin' Pigs Is Still Radical". They are also acclaimed for their elaborate live shows, which feature costumes, balloons, puppets, video projections, complex stage light configurations, giant hands, large amounts of confetti, and frontman Wayne Coyne's signature man-sized plastic bubble, in which he traverses the audience."
THIS IS ONE ALBUM THAT SHOULD NEVER BE REDONE, PERIOD! Why can't they come up with their own stuff instead of butchering probably the greatest album ever? For that matter, none of Pink Floyd's
albums should ever be redone.
one word.
Zaireeka.
Look it up.
Wow, people can get riled up over just about anything, I guess.
I like DSOTM, and nothing I've ever heard from the Lips (which isn't a lot) ever sparked anything in me, but to get upset because you don't like an album that someone you don't listen to recorded... well, I just don't understand.
I know it's terribly cliche, but if ever something inspired yelling "Get a life!" at someone, this is it.
I look at it as a compliment to Pink Floyd. The Smithereens rercorded 2 cd's of Beatle music and it's great. As long as the recording mainatians the original sound and doesn't try to make it sound so differebnt, I don't have a problem. It's a free country so they can do what they want. It's not like they're trying to make it sound country. If someone doesn't like it, don't listen.
Some of you people are idiots. The Flaming Lips & Stardeath and White Dwarfs cover of Dark Side of the Moon is fantastic. The original is my very favorite album of all-time, and I still do not think this is disrespectful at all. Wayne Coyne has made it perfectly clear that he has nothing but respect for Pink Floyd. So what if the bands wanted to cover a brilliant album? That's their prerogative, and yours if you choose to listen to it. I guarantee that years from now when some band covers "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots", the Flaming Lips won't be insulted. They'll be honored. And for anyone who thinks that the Lips have done this because they ran out of ideas, you clearly have never heard any of their music, which is by far and away the most original sounds being recorded today...
Are there any real musicians in popular music anymore? It's all garbage. Pity the youth who did not live during the 60's, 70's, or even 80's!
another bunk band with no talrnt feeding off a classic album,i heard there next album is a partdridge family cover album!
"Dub Side of the Moon" by the Easy Star All-Stars = WIN. Flaming Lips redoing Dark Side of The moon = EPIC FAIL.
I have had the misfortune of seeing this band open for other bands throughout the years, then somehow manage to make their way to be a headlining band. I guess when you consider most of the popular music that is spewed out today, you can't really be surprised at how medicority is rewarded. But allowing a mediocre band like the Flaming Lips to butcher one of the last centuries finest pieces of musical history is just plain blasphemy.
I agree with the Omaha Reader. The best that can be said of most remakes is that they come from lazy rockers who don't have the imagination to write something on their own.. The Lips should have stayed shut.
To the person who said
"anyone who doesn't know the flaming lips' back catalog doesn't deserve to be commenting here."
How wrong you are.
I don't know the FLIPs nor do I care to, NOR do I need to in order to form an Intelligent point of view based upon what I may or may not like.
This I do not and will not be listening to it again.
Phish covered DSoTM live over 10 years ago.
and nailed it!
But then again....thats Phish......not many bands are as musically talented as those guys
I love Dark Side of the Moon and really enjoy the Flaming Lips' interpretation of it. To those that ask why artists "can't write new music" I want to say go back and look at the Flaming Lips catalog. It's quite large and they have put out some amazing material. Few bands are as innovative as Pink Floyd and The Flaming Lips which is why I find their cover of Dark Side of the Moon so appropriate and well done. I don't blame anyone if they don't like it but don't flame the lips unless you understand them.
I just got all excited because I thought I found a CNN article where they don't mention twitter! But to my disappointment, they quoted someone from a message board instead.
Keep up the great journalism, CNN! (sarcasm off)
Dear JammyDevil,
Your ignorance is as distasteful as your HATRED for Pink Floyd. You know, PF was ground breaking in their day and were panned by many NON Americans. Actually, America made Pink Floyd popular. "Dark Side" was on our top 100 album chart for over 25 years. I have not heard The Lips' version. It really may just suck although I have heard their music and I would not just assume that. I think many people just feel that it's sacrilegious to tamper with such a classic album like that. I compare it to Wayne Newton remaking "Thriller". What nationality are you that makes you think you are so sophisticated and musically advantaged?
I would not describe Peaches as a "electro-pop" star or Rollins as a "spoken work artist"
Lighten up, Francis...
DJ's comment, although slightly original, are reminiscent of other ill-informed commenters. His puns are as half-witted as his criticisms. If only his whole comment were in "wing dings" like his omitted explitive, only then a better comment this would make.
D+
I can't speak for this album, as i haven't heard it, but it's worth mentioning that the Flaming Lips have already released 12 albums of original tunes since 1986 so to call them a modern band, and to say they can't write their own songs are both false. i've been a die hard Pink Floyd fan for the last 20 years, and if you can't handle other interpretations of an album than you're missing the whole point of music. it's about sharing and exploring ideas and other viewpoints are what makes it interesting
The fact that the highlight of their concert revolves around riding on the coat tails of the great Pink Floyd should tell you something in regards to their desperation.
A poster below said they just released a double-disc of songs...yet the highlight of the night is DSOTM??? Must not be much quality in that double-disc release.
A sad day for the Lips when they have to rely on other's success to sell tickets. And from what I've heard of their versions, they are an insult to Floyd.
I think that the Dream Theater version is MUCH better! if your a Floyd fan then you should check it out!!
Hooray for Maven!
Ok, I am a Pink Floyd fanatic. So I need to add the Pink Floyd original is IMO greatest album of all time. I finally got a chance to listen to it all the way through and I must say I am impressed. It's clear they really understand the core themes of the album. I'm also glad they understand that the entire album is a complete work and not a collection of songs. I really enjoyed this treatment on my favorite album, but I urge anyone thinking of listening, to listen to the Pink Floyd album first, if they haven't already done so. Well done to The Flaming Lips.
To all the people saying the lips "don't have enough ideas of their own" you are aware that they had so many ideas recently that they released a double album right? Yeah that's what I thought.
They did it because they love the music not because they were "out of ideas"
They did not need legal permission from Pink Floyd? Pink Floyd must have given the permission.
I applaud the attempt, but really, really dislike the album. I love the FLips but just don't click with this. At all.
anyone who doesn't know the flaming lips' back catalog doesn't deserve to be commenting here. i've been following them since the 80's and have seen them live many times back when they were a rock band. they've got more material and have lasted WAAYYYY longer and evolved WAAYYYY more than the rolling stones or pink floyd ever had.
that's not to say everything they write or do is good, but i think some context is deserved here.
I happen to be a music fan of different genres and eras. I also happen to be a big Flaming Lips and Pink Floyd fan. This album is obviously a tribute to Pink Floyd. The Flaming Lips are pretty much the Pink Floyd of today. Don't believe me? Check out their new album Embyonic, or their classics Soft Bulletin, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. By the way bands have been covering older music for years. The Yardbirds, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks relied heavily on old blues songs, for instance. In closing if the music's good listen.
Henry Rollins had a hand in it ? That man totally friggin' awesome. Ok, I'm going to at least have to check it out. As for the Flaming Lips, I think the song I love the best had to be the one featured in Batman Forever. I still catch myself humming Bad Days whenever my day at work gets at me. If you don't know the song, check it out. It's awesome
I couldn't agree with Ian more. The Flaming Lips are far from a new, unproven band. They are one of the premier bands of their genre and have been for some time. They consistently find themselves on many music fans and critics top ten lists with every release. If some of you would take your Nickelback cd out of heavy rotation, you might find some other music exists outside of the Top 40 and rock classics. (That said, I'm a huge fan of Pink Floyd's original work.)
You don't have to like it, but at least speak intelligently and realize that this isn't a band looking to make a name for themselves or unable to be creative on their own accord.
"It's great that young bands pay tribute to groups like Pink Floyd. However it is also sad because they are unable to produce something as creative as Dark Side Of The Moon. "
First of all, the Flaming Lips are hardly "young"...they were founded in 1983. Secondly, The Soft Bulletin is easily one of the best, if not THE best, album of the 1990's. And the rest of their output is highly respectable as well (with only a couple duds). To say the Lips are incapable of producing something creative and original is simply demonstrating how out of touch you are.
I choose to stay as far away from this as possible.
......REINTERPRETATION would be a better description. And there is nothing wrong in that.
phish already played the entire album live a long time ago.
But I LOVE The Lips RECREATION of Dark Side of The Moon.
I enjoy listening to both "Dub Side of the Moon" and "A Saucerful of Pink" regularly. Sure they're not the originals, but sometimes it's refreshing to hear something done a new way.
I'd think the Floyd's members would be flattered, especially given there aren't nearly as many covers of their music as say, the Beatles'. If you don't want to hear it, then don't listen to it, but complaining isn't likely to make the band take back the disks.
My guess is that the majority of AMERICANS berating the Flaming Lips have no idea of who they are or of their vast and ground breaking music. In Europe/Japan they are one of the most unique and influental US bands ever.
Listen to 'The Soft Bulletin", "Yoshimi" and then their complete turnaround to their latest creation " Embryonic" (BTW Dark Side seems the perfect companion piece to this).
Full disclosure: I %^$# HATE Pink Floyd!
Many of the posts I've read with regard to the DSoTM cover album remark that today's artists are incapable of creating their own unique music so they have to do someone else's. I disagree. There is an abundance of talent out there. But if artist isn't some hottie or the product can't be merchandised to hell and back again (from new release to commercial diddy overnight these days), then record companies simply won't record them. I mean seriously, Hannah Montana for crying out loud??!!??!!
Nobody can ever hope to reproduce the heart and soul Pink Floyd's timeless masterpiece Dark Side of the Moon...but they can try.
"new era"? "young bands"?
Look, I know the Lips are not as popular in their own backyard as they are in Europe, but seriously folks, they have been together for 26 years. They are neither "new" nor "young".
I think Roger and David and the lads are probably flattered their 40-year-old album is still generating inspiration. It's not like someone talentless like Jay-Z or Kanye West is doing it.
All comment threads need an IQ filter. People who are too lazy or stupid to read up on a topic, should not be allowed to post on a thread about it.
I wonder if the Lips' version can be played as soundtrack to the "Wizard of Oz". Time to break out the DVD.
I would give it 4 out of 5...so I suppose I'm one of the few that falls in the middle. Of course, not as good as the original, but it is not trying to outdo the source material...It is the Flaming Lips take on it, they are making it their own. Pretty cool, and considering Embryonic (double album) came out earlier this year, it's not because they can't come up with the own stuff, it was a deliberate undertaking. I'm sure they expected a lot of backlash, so kudos to the Lips for having the guts to go with it.
Like another poster said, who cares? They have the right to do it, as I am sure that they copyrights were cleared, so either listen or do not listen. Is there a lack of originality in music today? Of course there is. It sucks. This is what happens when you make image your priority, instead of music.
Anyone who doesn't think the Flaming Lips hasn't created their own masterpiece needs to do their research and listen to "The Soft Bulletin" (considered the Pet Sounds of that generation) or "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots". Brilliant albums.
And anyone who thinks they're just trying to rip off Pink Floyd for the sake of trying to make a better album is a moron. This is clearly a tribute, not meant to be a 'one up' of it, but their own unique showing of appreciation.
Get a life people. Either listen to it or don't.
This is hardly meant to be a substitute for new material as the Flaming Lips just released a new album in October. I also don't think that they are trying to be disrespectful to Pink Floyd or to the legacy of the original album. After all, "imitation is the most sincerest flattery." I personally think it's refreshing to hear a current band take a shot at classic album that I also love. Doesn't replace or tarnish the original for me, just expounds on it.
It's great that young bands pay tribute to groups like Pink Floyd. However it is also sad because they are unable to produce something as creative as Dark Side Of The Moon. Where would Pink Floyd have been if they chose to redo the Beatles Sgt. Peppers or if Bruce Springsteen redid Blonde on Blonde. I think tributes on a small scale are great but as a substitute for new material I'm not sure I'd buy it.
Ridiculous. I think this is very disrespectful to one of the greatest bands ever; and to the album "Dark Side of the Moon".
Can't the new era create their own masterpieces instead of copying others?
simple answer: if you do not like it, do not listen to it.
If you are good you need not copy anyone else....
OMG!!! My boyfriend thinks the same with me. We met online at an interesting site called ...*** PLUSFLIRT ___CooooooooM***...nice place for BBW & BHW to interact with each other. Maybe you wanna check out or tell your friends.
you know, this was already done....
they're a bit late..
It was a dub-reggae version called Dub Side Of The Moon,
and each tune was a different band, i think.
Why would The Lips do that? Not enough ideas of their own? It's just like remaking Casablanca. Pointless!
It's just an entire album of cover songs. Big deal.
Dear CNN:
Remember back when you used to be a News Network? It must be hard having devolved to the point where you're quoting "Graggor" from "Some random blog" as your source.
Reggae All Stars did a much much better job of covering DSoTM with their version " Dub Side of The Moon " completely capturing the Floyd vibe while recreating it with a different genre of music. As did Luther Wright and the Wrongs with of all things a bluegrass version of The Wall called "Rebuild the Wall". Maybe this Flaming Lips version will grow on me but right now it's kinda week in my opinion. And I like the Flaming Lips so I was surprised at how off the mark this version is.
I find the lack of compassion and understanding for the Flaming Lips apalling. What better way for an artist or anyone to honor their idols through the journey of self discovery. I would be extreamly honored if someone were to recreate my work with their own take on it. The Flaming Lips version may not be exactly like the orgional Pink Floyd album and nor should it be. If you don't like their take on the album Dark Side of the Moon, then thats OK! Just keep in mind that just because it is not for you doesn't mean it is not valid.
It's sad that nowadays people can write new good music anymore... so they have to go back and redo songs from the past... 🙁
Failing lips is their new name. Massive failure at a great album. It sounds like they recorded a fat guy taking a dump in blender. Way use your lips and suck the #$%@ of failure. Henry Rollins is a fool for going along with this and Peaches should stay in the produce isle at the supermarket.