At War With The Mystics: Lips & Narnia

This week’s new CDs & DVD releases: The Flaming Lips are an anomaly: a 20 year old rock band that hit its stride 15 years into its career; a “one hit wonder” that has only grown in popularity since the hit faded; a bunch of psychedelic-punk-goth freaks from Oklahoma that have taken to writing perfect pop odes that often read like Zen koans. Their latest, At War with the Mystics, doesn’t so much pick up where there last two albums left off (the symphonic psych-pop masterpiece The Soft Bulletin and it’s much wiggier epic-rock cousin Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots) as much as pick up strands from previous albums (fuzzy guitars, power trio playing, rock drums) and, adding a good dose of R&B groove, run with the ball. I’ve read comparisons to Beck’s material, but that seems simplistic. The Lips are no more likely to emulate Beck than The Beatles were to lift tricks from the Monkees. . . ok, ok, that was a little harsh. . . than The Beatles were to lift tricks from Badfinger. As they prove here once again, the Lips remain one of the most forward-looking, creative bands in all of rockdom. . . Also out this week: Now 21, Pink: I’m Not Dead, Cassandra Wilson: Thunderbird, Morrissey: Ringleader Of The Tormentors.

The Disney adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe more than lives up to C.S. Lewis’s magical children’s novel. The right combination of story, special effects and sheer grandeur is struck in this battle of ultimate good vs. ultimate evil (um, kinda like Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots). In fact, the movie is almost as good as the rap video. Btw, order the DVD now at J&R and get a free Narnia keychain. . . Also out this week: Ang Lee’s Oscar® Winner Brokeback Mountain.