Deap Valley and The Flaming Lips - “Deap Lips” Album Review
An exciting collaborative album from two very influential sounds in the alternative genre “Deap Valley” and “The Flaming Lips,” the two fuse their aesthetics together to create their first shared album “Deap Lips.”
Deap Valley consists of Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards, two rocking girls who have steadily become well-known for their fierce guitar riffs and exuberant personality. The Flaming Lips consists of a group of several creative musicians led by the eccentric Wayne Coyne.
Experimenting with an explosive concoction of both of their volatile aesthetics, their recent venture is meant to be a push towards a mutual direction, thus the name “Deap Lips.” Banding together to produce a kaleidoscopic journey of sound, “Deap Lips” consists of a series of frenetic tracks which amount to a bold epic musical odyssey.
Opening with the blistering “Home Thru Hell,” the two groups mesh their sound to produce a flashy launch to their mutual album. Both groups evenly share the track with a strong presence from both of their sounds, combining into an interesting and memorable sonic experience.
The album then seamlessly transitions into the distant and radiating “One Thousand Sisters with Aluminum Foil Calculators.” Evidently The Flaming Lips time to shine, the group’s classic soundscape craftsmanship is given centerstage. A reoccurring tendency of the album is to set The Flaming Lips’ contributions as the backdrop for Deap Valley’s own. While not necessarily too hindering, given that The Flaming Lips are heralded for their soundscape construction, it is unfortunate that they fell into relying on that reflex for seemingly the whole record.
However, given that The Flaming Lips supply the backtrack of the album, its sound is incredibly cohesive. For instance, the following track “S**t Talkin” invokes a sorrowful undertone which gently presses the album forwards into Deap Valley’s chance to shine. Essentially, a passing of the ball back and forth, both bands get to have several moments in the spotlight while the ball is in their court. Meanwhile they each still aid in lifting the other band’s ideas by allowing their sound to rest on the backburner while still being noticeably present.
The album then allows Deap Valley to present its sound with full force on the lighthearted “Hope Hell High” and the striking “M***********s Got to Go.” Showcasing their dazzling wield over their guitars, the two girls shell out some noteworthy licks on the guitar. Eventually, the sound begins to bleed over into The Flaming Lips’ territory as they begin to inject their experimental influence into the framework of the music.
The album then allows The Flaming Lips to present their remarkably modern Beatles-esque aesthetic of swirling hypnotizing synths and tones on the spiraling “Love is a Mind Control,” the lulling “Wandering Witches” and the mind-bending “The Pusher.” Employing the ladies as voices reminiscent of sirens, The Flaming Lips slow down the flow of the album in order to pump in a flush of psychedelic jams.
The two groups then reconvene at the end of the record and bring their sounds once again back into alignment with the climactic “Not a Natural Man” and “There is Know Right There is Know Wrong.” Sharing the stage effectively, both groups blend their sounds into a memorable closure for an overall fairly successful mutual effort.
Throughout the album, both groups are noticeably present. Their sounds combine and mesh with consistent success, but it is evident that the two groups maintain their individuality and never truly merge into one. There is evidently a sense of respect for both band’s contributions, but The Flaming Lips seem to rest backstage for a majority of the album.
An interesting collaboration from a band that is renowned for its effort to feature other artists and push forward its experimentation, The Flaming Lips manage to rise Deap Valley’s sound through its soundscape creation. An impressive product from two incredible sounds from the alternative genre, “Deap Lips” is an album with much to offer and a fresh take on collaborative music.
Rating: 8/10
Reviewer’s Favorite Song: “M***********s Got to Go,” “Home Thru Hell” and “S**t Talkin”
Reviewer’s Least Favorite Song: N/A
Scott Perdue is a junior majoring in secondary education. To contact him, email rsp5246@psu.edu.
