fight test
‘Anyone who bought the album “Transmissions from the Satellite Heart” for the single “She Don’t Use Jelly” learned quickly that the one thing you can expect from The Flaming Lips is that you don’t know what to expect next.
After the release of “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots,” one of the most talked-about albums of this toddler of a century, Wayne Coyne and company are moving into uncharted territory once again.
“Fight Test” is part lighthearted techno and dance beats and part easy listening. Then it ends with a country song. Unlike all of these styles, though, this EP has substance to it. Even if it’s not immediately visible, a lot of work and effort goes into each Flaming Lips song.
This EP consists of a few previously released tracks, two new songs and a few covers. The oddest (yet morbidly intriguing) song on the EP is the final track, “Thank You Jack White (For the Fiber-Optic Jesus That You Gave Me).” Maybe they are ahead of their time, but they are definitely over many people’s heads.
The cover songs include Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” (written by Cathy Dennis and Rob Davis), Beck’s “The Golden Age,” and Radiohead’s “Knives Out.” The Beck and Radiohead covers are serious and well done. The Kylie Minogue cover is worthy of a laugh or two. If for no other reason, hearing these covers is reason enough to warrant listening to this record.
“Fight Test” is not earth shattering but it is on par, at the very least, with other releases by the Flaming Lips. It’s a new direction and a positive sign for the next full-length to come.
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