About this album
Where they were
Released on April 3, 2006, 'At War with the Mystics' was The Flaming Lips' follow-up to their critically acclaimed breakthrough album 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.' By this point, they had solidified their presence in alternative rock, transitioning from an underground cult favorite to mainstream recognition. This album marked a continued exploration of grand themes and experimental sounds that defined their early 2000s output.
Why it matters
'At War with the Mystics' received widespread critical acclaim, reaching number 4 on the Billboard 200 and earning a Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. Its creative approach and conceptual depth influenced a wave of indie rock artists, showcasing a blend of political commentary and surrealism that resonated during a tumultuous socio-political climate.
Essential tracks
- "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (with All Your Power)" — This opening track encapsulates the album's playful yet profound commentary on power and existence through its catchy melody and thought-provoking lyrics.
- "Free Radicals (A Hallucination of the Christmas Skeleton Pleading with a Suicide Bomber)" — This song stands out for its bold juxtaposition of whimsical imagery against dark themes, reflecting the band's ability to tackle serious topics with creativity.
- "The W.A.N.D. (The Will Always Negates Defeat)" — With its driving rhythm and uplifting message, this track serves as an anthem of resilience, showcasing the band's knack for blending pop sensibilities with deeper meanings.
Release Date
April 3, 2006
Artist Origin
United States
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (with All Your Power) 4:51
- 2 Free Radicals (A Hallucination of the Christmas Skeleton Pleading with a Suicide Bomber) 3:41
- 3 The Sound of Failure / It’s Dark… Is It Always This Dark?? 7:18
- 4 My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion (The Inner Life as Blazing Shield of Defiance and Optimism as Celestial Spear of Action) 4:51
- 5 Vein of Stars 4:15
- 6 The Wizard Turns On… the Giant Silver Flashlight and Puts on His Werewolf Moccasins 3:41
- 7 It Overtakes Me / The Stars Are So Big… I Am So Small… Do I Stand a Chance? 6:50
- 8 Mr. Ambulance Driver 4:21
- 9 Haven’t Got a Clue 3:25
- 10 The W.A.N.D. (The Will Always Negates Defeat) 3:42
- 11 Pompeii am Götterdämmerung 4:21
- 12 Goin’ On 3:39
Disc 2
- 1 The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (with All Your Power) 5:22
- 2 Free Radicals (A Hallucination of the Christmas Skeleton Pleading with a Suicide Bomber) 3:39
- 3 The Sound of Failure / It’s Dark… Is It Always This Dark? 7:18
- 4 My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion (The Inner Life as Blazing Shield of Defiance and Optimism as Celestial Spear of Action) 5:01
- 5 Vein of Stars 4:58
- 6 The Wizard Turns On… the Giant Silver Flashlight and Puts on His Werewolf Moccasins 3:45
- 7 It Overtakes Me / The Stars Are So Big… I Am So Small… Do I Stand a Chance? 6:55
- 8 Mr. Ambulance Driver 4:22
- 9 Haven’t Got a Clue 3:23
- 10 The W.A.N.D. (The Will Always Negates Defeat) 3:42
- 11 Pompeii am Götterdämmerung 4:22
- 12 Goin’ On 3:44
- 13 Why Does It End? 4:38
- 14 You Gotta Hold On 4:52
- 15 Your Face Can Tell the Future 5:20
- 16 The Gold in the Mountain of Our Madness 4:47
- 17 Time Travel?? Yes!! 3:23
- 18 Bohemian Rhapsody 6:36
- 19 My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion (The Inner Life as Blazing Shield of Defiance and Optimism as Celestial Spear of Action) 4:39
- 20 Goin’ On 3:43
- 21 Unmade Bed / No Quarter 6:55
- 22 The Sound of Failure 4:03
- 23 Vein of Stars 4:50
- 24 Vein of Stars (Operatic Spook) 4:15
- 25 The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (with All Your Power) (Chicken Fried Hoedown Protest Rally) 4:44
- 26 The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (with All Your Power) (In Anatropous Reflex) 4:22
- 27 Mr. Ambulance Driver 5:01
- 28 The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song 4:07
- 29 The W.A.N.D. 3:48
- 30 2006 Classen High Commencement Speech 12:19
