Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots

Squelchy, skrongly, insane: incredible.

Every time I hear something new from the Flaming Lips, I smile and wonder why I don't go deep and listen to all of their stuff. Then I forget, time passes, and I get exposed to another Flaming Lips album and the cycle repeats.

4.5/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the-flaming-lips/yoshimi-battles-the-pink-robots/ Yessssss I love this album! Do You Realize?? is one of the most beautiful songs ever written in its simple romanticism. Oof.

Really sucks this website doesn’t have like a 5+ stars option because this would absolutely be one to get it. I have loved this album since i was 11-12 so this is a huge one for me. Still a gorgeous, trippy and cool banger through and through.

J'avais découvert cet album de manière random via la musique éponyme que j'aime beaucoup. Il y a quelque chose d'émouvant dans cet album, une histoire qui est racontée et la voix du gars est hyper réconfortante. Bon y'a quelques trucs vraiment bien étranges mais justement c'est vachement innovant.

omg after 3 songs I already think 5 stars

An absolute masterpiece. For many years I just kind of took it for granted that the Soft Bulletin was their best album. But I've come around to the idea this is just more cohesive. And kind of more beautiful. Why am I so invested in Yoshimi defeating these robots? They never were quite able to return to the brilliance of the two album run of Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi.

Sublime!

Warm, generous, lush and full hearted, in the hands of a lesser band this tale of a robot experiencing a crisis of confidence (which doubles as an allegory for the experience of a psychedelic drug trip) would be too cloying, twee or goofy. The Flaming Lips however, already 10 albums in, had the experience, the smarts, the sincerity and the cool to pull it off in spades. A modern psychedelic masterpiece.

Enter the weird and prepare for your mind journey.

Borderline 5/5 but for now this will do. Have to check out more of their stuff.

Top 10, maybe top 20. It had been a while since I revisited this. Happy to report the magic is still there.

The test begins. NOW. The Flaming Lips have been a huge part of my life, from when I heard them first in college, to attending the 20th anniversary gig of Yoshimi last year in Dublin, to listening to it again today in my garden on an unexpectedly sunny Sunday afternoon, recovering from a recent hospital stay. I made my way to the fearless freaks through a lesser-known song, oddly enough. “It's Summertime” was one of the tracks on Q Magazine's “Best of 2002” compilation disc. Those best-of CDs set me going with so many of my favorite bands. I was completely perplexed by that weird, echoing, bouncy bass line. Hearing the gorgeous acoustic guitar descending on that unexpected F# note when Wayne sings the line “and I can't understand…” in his Oklahoma twang was enough for me already. But then there's the moment when it all breaks apart to reveal that glorious riff leading into the outro, where the whole song moves from a minor-flavoured key resolving in the most pleasing way possible to a major key. “Look outside, I know that you'll recognise it's summertime”. Yep, I'm in. More please. A guy I went to college with burned me a copy of the album (don't come after me Warner Bros!) and I pretty much listened to it on repeat. Everything about the Flaming Lips is fun. I dived deep into their back catalogue. There was a lot of weirdness to get through. We'd get old CD players, DVD players, laptops and desktop PCs lined up in our apartment and spend evenings trying to play “Zaireeka” on all four discs in sync. We knew all of the strange verses of “She Don't Use Jelly” off by heart. I'd listen to live recordings of when they toured with Beck. We'd watch The Fearless Freaks movie over and over. I'd learn to play as much as I could of their stuff, and if there was a guitar at a house party, you could be sure the night wouldn't end without a group of us butchering Yoshimi. And then there were the concerts. At the very first overnight Electric Picnic festival in Ireland, Wayne ran over my head in a giant inflatable hamster ball. We've seen them in London, Dublin, Cork, and our hometown Galway so many times now, I've lost count. But I'd be fairly certain that they've beaten Radiohead to pole position as the band I've seen live the most in my life. And I'm going to see them here in Galway again in a couple of months. Going to a Lips gig is good for you. It cleanses the soul. You regress to being a kid again. It's just pure glee and euphoria. Giant inflatable props loom over the band, and usually a bunch of dancers dressed as animals or eyeballs, while neon lighting and huge animated lyrics fly over Wayne's head and giant balloons are thrown into the crowd. You come out covered in confetti and glitter, with a huge smile on your face. The first things that struck me about this album, and The Flaming Lips in general, were the beats and the bass lines. The whole rhythm section felt like they came from a different genre, like hip hop or electronica. The drums were HUGE and the bass seems to be eternally soaked in a phaser effect, giving everything a sort of alien feeling. But it was still just guitars and keyboards at the core. The Lips could produce sounds from their instruments that seemed completely inspired and unique. There's so much going on in each song. It feels like going to see a full orchestra while on a lot of acid. This album is a masterpiece from start to finish. “Fight Test” kicks things off like a psychedelic version of Cat Stevens’ “Father and Son”. The layers of different vocal melodies that build up in perfect harmony towards the end is amazing. Part 1 of the title track has that iconic acoustic guitar riff, and its equally iconic strumming pattern, that seems to dissolve into the void every so often. Robot and karate sound effects build up the child-like storytelling aspect of the song. There’s a real psychedelic optimism to Wayne's lyrics (and general being). He’s like a bright-eyed hippie who time-travelled from The Summer of Love to the early 2000s. Part 2 is pure insanity and mayhem. The drum pattern change from the frantic chorus to the verse is one of my favourite things. And that scream that comes in is properly jarring. It's more hardcore than any metal or thrash song. “Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell” is another favourite of mine. The dark jolt of the distorted guitar note cuts through the shimmering acoustic guitars and hopping bass line. And it all comes together at the end so gloriously. There are just so many iconic movements on the album. But one of the best is the inhaled “one, two, three, four”, which is instantly recognisable as the intro to “Do You Realize??”. Hearing a concert crowd all singing “do you realize that everyone you know someday will die?” in pure glee is a surreal experience to say the least. But the song’s theme of existentialist stoicism is such a positive one, for lyrics that are quite heavy on the whole “everyone you know is going to die” stuff. Make the most of the now. It's original songwriting at its best. This album was Wayne and Drozd at their creative best. They found their sound on The Soft Bulletin, and expanded on it with At War With The Mystics, (which criminally isn't on this list?!). But they perfected it here. The test is over. NOW.

I love The Flaming Lips. Beautiful songs about life and death and a young woman fighting evil robots. Not my favourite of theirs but I'm giving it a 5 anyway.

so cool

Dit is top, een mooi geheel als album. The Flaming Lips misschien wel op hun best, en anders op hun meest toegankelijk. Mooie diversiteit aan nummers, met een paar echte knallers.

Listened to before? Yes Context? Flaming Lips' "comeback" album after essentially being boxed in as 90s one-hit wonders; made at the same time they were working on several other artistic projects. *Reviewed in a holistic format* Flaming Lip’s 2002 release, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, is like any good cult classic: odd, niche, and quality in a way that nothing front-and-center of the mainstream can quite capture. There’s a sort of futuristic melancholy to it, and the imagery is of a world exactly like that of the album cover—like if OK Computer was a children’s cartoon. “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt 1” is an obvious and fantastic standout here, with campy lyrics that tie this album into something almost concept-like. The song sounds both deeply human and impossibly futuristic, combining downtrodden vocals and acoustics with odd electronics and—at the very end—an extremely satisfying panning effect that sounds like slipping out of your own body. This album is one of those things that makes me just love art. It tells a story. The cover is perfect. There’s a strong, cohesive mood. Even the history of this album, with Flaming Lips working on a film and a film soundtrack at the same time as this, is amazing. Certain artists just feel truly artistic to me—David Bowie, My Chemical Romance, Patti Smith—and this album gives me the same sense that their work does.

This album is probably in my top ten albums. It is near perfect, glad to revisit. I love the Flaming Lips but this really was their peak album and completely career defining. There is really just a perfect arc to this album where it really feels like you are on a mission with Yoshimi, just a great concept album. It weirdly peaks in the fourth song but the comedown is so gentle that it really feels like it just gently glides you back to earth. This album always hits and I'm glad this project allowed me to remember how good this album is.

Beautifully moving

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS ALBUM OH MY GERSHHHHHHH!!!! I first listened to this album when my mom recommended it to me. since then I have gotten the CD from a pack of CDs that my mom gave me. in freshman year I remember I recommended this album to my current boyfriend and he thought it was weird because of Yoshimi battles the pink robots part two. that's how you know he's not the one. I love the story of this album. It's so dynamic and beautiful and every song is great. love love love

I love it, I love it, I love it. This hit just right this morning, and is now a favourite. I'd heard "Do You Realize" on the radio and liked it, but in my opinion it's one of the weaker records on the album, despite it's popularity. This is now in my library.

A concept album that hits an emotional high point that is totally earned with one of the great songs of the 21st century. An engrossing sonic landscape that leaves you wanting more (I listened 2x more). Am easy 5.

For as weird and experimental as it can be, it's also incredibly accessible and an absolute pleasure to listen to. This is also one of those albums that is improved by listening to it in its entirety, versus just being a collection of songs. The number of really great tracks is long though: "Fight Test", "Yoshimi Pt. 1", "Ego Tripping", "Do You Realize??", and especially "Are You a Hypnotist??". The rest manage to be interesting in their own right to not fit into the category of filler. Just an all around fantastic album and another 5/5 for me.

love this album. another Dave Fridmann production, so you know it sounds great and has a bunch of sounds and sections in there that reward repeat listens. the blasts of noise and pummeling drums in "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 2" are always exciting. the magical run from "In the Morning of the Magicians" through "Do You Realize??" should stir jealousy of any experimental rock/pop groups.

5 de 5 Disco perfecto, una golosina auditiva, impecables arreglos, épico de principio a fin. Escuchado 10 / abril / 2026 04:55 hrs.

I loved this. Apparently my reservations about concept albums don't apply if they involve kungfu fighting giant robots.

Love it!

no notes

Peak

Beautiful album

En av få plater som har klart å blande et rockesound med elektroniske beats, og midt i gullalderen for den blandingen. På 70-tallet hadde kanskje Flaming Lips vært like store som Pink Floyd, mens i sin samtid var de kanskje en slags bandversjon i skyggen av Beck.

i've listened to this once or twice before in full, but it's been some years and i can't remember enough to give it a rating off the top of my head. one more listen can't hurt Fight Test - 5/5 One More Robot / Sympathy 3000-21 - 4/5 Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1 - 5/5 Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 2 - 4/5 In the Morning of the Magicians - 5/5 Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell - 4/5 Are You a Hypnotist?? - 5/5 It's Summertime - 4/5 Do You Realize?? - 5/5 All We Have Is Now - 3/5 Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon (Utopia Planitia) - 4/5 Average score: 4.4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Honestly I can understand if this is perceived as a “you had to be there” album. For me it will always be a classic. Now a quarter century later it feels like the last hurrah of 90’s optimism before the cynicism of the 00’s took over. And “Do You Realize??” is one of the most beautiful songs ever.

oh yoshimi they dont believe me but you wont let those robots defeatme

Actually an amazing album I loved this soo much.

So delightfully weird. Edit: 100-album calibration - changing from a 4 to a 5 since I keep going back to this!

Loquísimo hermano, algunas canciones son casi como rock metal pero con sintetizadores y distorsión, es increíble, es como un viaje.

crazy synth bass wobwobobWOO i love finding stuff that feels like was waiting for me, straight into rotation yoshimi this yoshimi that the main character is the ride cymball

Psychedelic pop with electronic soundscapes. I like the songwriting, even Fight Test which takes inspiration from Cat. The imagery is great, the fuzziness of it is pleasing to the ears. I already own this album and am glad it came up today so I could give her a spin.

This is one of those albums that takes me back to a specific time and place. UD dorm rooms, Chappelle Show reruns, Strongbad clips, and weekday video game tournaments. All time classic!

one of the top albums 00's

I did not expect this to be so good! I just kept going back to it!

The embodiment of ecstatically psychedelic music

Great production on a beautiful album. Slow burn at times, but overall excellent!

I already loved this album and my opinion only improved from a closer listen on this revisit. It's easy not to take The Flaming Lips very seriously but there's a lot of depth in the music here. Do You Realize and Fight Test are particularly great, though I also love a lot of the kinda cinematic tracks throughout the middle of the album.

Great concept album that is a lot of fun to listen to on my HiFi system.

Yeah, this holds up entirely as a cohesive album, beginning to end. So so good.

Absolutely brilliant album

I love this album! I liked how it varied from a very psychedelic, experimental sound to a really stripped back acoustic, almost folk sound. The really pretty, simple vocals and strong melodies kept that jumble together really nicely.

I really liked it! I sort of knew of them, the simpsons references (great episode), their famous live shows with costumes, but really didn’t know their music. It’s beautiful, melodic, mixed in with quirkiness, fun stories, nice use of electronic loops while still being lo-fi rock adjacent. Have listened to it quite a few times now. I was a bit thrown but the cat stevens knock off of the first track, but hey great song to steal from.

Wow, just beautiful. Not overhyped even a little. I'm floored

9/10 27.03.2026

this is such a great album. so unique, so catchy

I want to be Yoshimi now, and I wish girls were real.

I love this album so much

The production is an absolute masterpiece of sound design that perfectly blends heavy hip hop drums with soft electronic vibes and indie rock. I really love the space they give to the instrumental parts and the way the deep sci-fi concept makes the whole journey feel so emotional. It is a brilliant example of how a dense and complex mix can still feel incredibly warm and meaningful.

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I was introduced to this album by my PhD supervisor. I think everyone else in the lab found it (and probably him and I) too nerdy. I loved it then and I love it now.

This is a really neat album exploring sm pretty deep topics through a very interesting lens. It’s also a really great blend of electronic and non electronic elements.

Wasn't ever a fan of The Flaming Lips outside of "She Don't Use Jelly" but something about this album gets me every time. A masterpiece from start to finish. "Do You Realize?" is one of those songs that just hits me in the gut everytime I hear it.

ethereal

This album brings forth its majesty precisely because it is just that, an album. More specifically, it is a carefully crafted album in the form of a manga. While we tend to think of manga superficially here in the West, in the East it is a legitimate art form. The Flaming Lips richly illustrate this artful reality with their deft sonic brushstrokes and evocative lyrics. Some tracks have their own story to tell amid the vibrant, tumbling narrative arc for us to follow and become ensconced in. Odd and quirky, certainly. But The Flaming Lips have evolved to be able to take on their eccentricities with no loss of substance. Five stars all the way.

It helps you to concentrate on your work, and the unusual sound gives your body and mind a special energy. 8/10

We have all had days of feeling puny, mere specks in a mystifying universe. The trick Wayne Coyne perfects on the Flaming Lips' 10th album is to fuse that sense of futility with an element of euphoria. Lyrics such as "Do you realise that everyone you know someday will die?" could be depressing, but are sung so serenely that the heart swells with joy. The tenderness and beguiling vulnerability of his voice seems to make the songs swell, too: each one radiates a rapturous array of sounds. Squelchy robot voices and electric sparkles dance across the title track, weaving in and out of Michael Ivins's luminous guitar and Steven Drozd's mellow beats. Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell, a sage denunciation of unrequited love, drifts on muted strings and mysterious whirrs, steered by a plump bassline to a place of shooting stars and celestial voices. A goddam five star classic, yet it's not quite as good as The Soft Bulletin.

One of the finest albums ever made. Absolutely amazing.

Already loved this one from my youth. Memories of finding it randomly at a record shop and thinking "ehh, why not?". I never really followed through with the rest of their work but this album always stuck with me and every half decade or so I would remember it fondly. I just re-listened to it a few days ago when it jumped into memory again.

This is an instant 5 stars for me, without even listening. I already like and love all songs on this one since this first came out. This is a perfect album, with no hesitation. I don't even remember exactly how I first heard about this - but I know I saw The Flaming Lips as the opening band for Beck in 2002. That was a great show - and so that's probably the first time I heard some of the songs off this album. I haven't gotten tired of listening to it over the years and it continues to grow on me more, even after 20+ years. Great music - combination of things like acoustic guitars and synths. Bass playing is awesome too, often very melodic and not just part of the rhythm section. Drums are excellent and often a main feature of some of the songs - check out "Are You a Hypnotist?" for some great drumming. Cool instrumental songs too. Surprising this is just 3 guys doing all of this - and from Oklahoma too. Great lyrics - sometimes deep, sometimes kinda silly and fun. "Do You Realize?" and "All We Have Is Now" are peak songwriting - but it's all great actually. Their musings on people having fights with robots, and robots developing almost human-like emotions don't seem so futuristic anymore in 2026 - when we have people interacting with/developing relationships with AIs everyday, and actual robots being deployed for security purposes in various parts of the world. Check out the latest capabilities of Boston Dynamics robots if you haven't looked into that in a while. And with many countries flirting with fascism - it's not hard to imagine robots being deployed against citizens like these guys are envisioning. Guess we need to start taking our vitamins :) I think of Flaming Lips as a continuation of bands like the Beatles and ELO - in the best way possible. I've seen people comparing Wayne Coyne's voice to Neil Young. I can actually sort of see that - but it's funny that this never occurred to me before, even though Neil Young is one of my all time favs. If you haven't listened to this yet - just let it play 3 times in a row and see how it all hits you. This is my 2nd 5 star album in a row. UB40 - Signing Off was the one before this. Let's keep this up! Liked songs on Spotify: 11/11 (Perfect Album) Rating: 5/5

Can't believe I've never listened to this, it's amazing!

What an unbelievable album. I cannot find a fault with it, there’s nothing even close to a dud track. I mentioned in a separate post that The Flaming Lips have been recommended to me several times before and based on this one they live up to the hype. Top Track - Very hard to pick one but gonna go with Ego Tripping At The Gates Of Hell

I've seen The Flaming Lips 3 or 4 times in the last couple of years and they play most of this album still today and it's well over 20 years old. Such amazing positive welcoming makes you feel good band and album! I've never smiled more at a show than when I watched the Flaming Lips. So. Fucking. Good. Holy. Shit.

Really liked this album. Especially compared to the albums I've gotten recently.

very cool! influenced cloud cult?

Yes I realize….this is a special band and album!! 🎸

It had a variation of sounds and a deep meaning behind each lyric 30/1/26

(96/100)

such a beautiful album, i love it so much...

Love love love this album

Tolles Album. Das wird öfter gehört werden.

Not mainstream music but entertaining.

Loved it great experience.

Awesome Album

I can't be unbiased about this. I know that some songs are stronger than others, that Do You Realise is played A LOT and that Fight Test may or may not have plagiarised Cat Stevens. It's still a 5 for me.

Dreamy, beautifully-crafted songs. This is an outstanding album. Favourite tracks: Yoshimi Pt. 1, In the Morning of the Magicians, Do You Realize, All We Have Is Now

I don't remember how I first heard the song Do You Realize. It was when it was new, and I'm assuming it was on the radio. I LOVED it immediately and ran out to buy the album that day. I'd heard of The Flaming Lips prior to that, but never listened to them. I played the CD all the way through and was mesmerized. I played it again and was again mesmerized. Shortly after that, I saw they were coming to my city to play at a small club and I got tickets. It was one of the most fun shows I'd ever seen to that point, and remains to this day. I've seen them once more, opening for The Black Keys. They were still fun, but it wasn't nearly as magical as the smaller venue. This was what I brought to today's listen. I was both excited and nervous to play it, as I truly hoped it would hold up in my esteem. Thankfully it totally did and more. I haven't listened to the album in full for a long time, so I forgot how philosophical and introspective it is. And I think I love it even more than I used to. There isn't a bad song on the album, and aside from the two instrumentals I could listen to all of them again and again. I love the singing, the music, and the lyrics (I know it veers away from the Yoshimi theme after a few songs and I don't care).

An entire movie on one great album

It's certainly an ambitious album. I doubt very many R&B artists would open their debut studio album with an overture fit for a Nutcracker performance or producing something like Come Alive (War of the Roses). But I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the future Emmy winning creative was perhaps more interested in exploring the art form than releasing a highly focused project. I found myself looking for, and finding, pieces throughout the album that I really enjoyed, such as Dance or Die and the orchestral moments. Unfortunately, some of the more jarring pieces such as Oh, Maker and Make the Bus really detract from the experience. Overall I'm very appreciative of the variety presented, and the quality of technical execution across that variety is truly impressive.

I mean, look at my name, I was obviously going to give this five stars. I don't know if it's my favourite Flaming Lips album (The Soft Bulletin will always hold a special place in my heart) but it's probably their best one. It's the album where the band best integrates drum and electronica with a dreamy guitar sound. And yes the concept is kind of ridiculous, which makes the lyrics kind of ridiculous but despite that I think lyrically it somehow manages to be really beautiful (and I'd like Do you realize? played at my funeral please).

Crazy how badly band of horses ripped off this sound!

One of my favorite concept albums of all time. Last time I listened to it was in 2007 on an iPod nano. I remember hearing do you realize for the first time and how deep that was for me. Within 15 years I lost three of the most important people in my life. It's a big difference hearing this at 28 and now at 47. The heart break fades...

This is a freaky band making a freaky record. It's freaky!

Perfect Album for my mood today. Every track very good.

I can’t believe stuff like this exists and people willfully listen to t swift

This was such a big album for me in my early-mid 20s. Love it.

Amazing album

Flaming Lip’s 2002 release, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, is like any good cult classic: odd, niche, and quality in a way that nothing front-and-center of the mainstream can quite capture. There’s a sort of futuristic melancholy to it, and the imagery is of a world exactly like that of the album cover—like if OK Computer was a children’s cartoon. “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt 1” is an obvious and fantastic standout here, with campy lyrics that tie this album into something almost concept-like. The song sounds both deeply human and impossibly futuristic, combining downtrodden vocals and acoustics with odd electronics and—at the very end—an extremely satisfying panning effect that sounds like slipping out of your own body. This album is one of those things that makes me just love art. It tells a story. The cover is perfect. There’s a strong, cohesive mood. Even the history of this album, with Flaming Lips working on a film and a film soundtrack at the same time as this, is amazing. Certain artists just feel truly artistic to me—David Bowie, My Chemical Romance, Patti Smith—and this album gives me the same sense that their work does.

I don’t know if it’s because I’m tipsy, but this album is speaking to me. It’s awesome…

Amazing album

As far as I’m concerned this is among the all time great psychedelic rock albums. Certainly the best one about a little karate girl who battles evil pink robots to save all humankind. The opening track is one of my favorite songs ever, who cares if they ripped Cat Stevens for the melody - Isn’t rock music just one rip off after another? The zeitgeist is evolutionary! Fight Test is brilliant and for my money a better song than Father And Son. The title track is impossibly catchy, and Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell is classic Flips. All of this comes before Do You Realize??, a song that should be on a short list of “Songs To Listen To Before You Die.” It’s one of the best songs ever written about life and death. The Flaming Lips possessed some kind of special magic between The Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi.

My favourite Flaming Lips album, the deeper cuts hit as hard as the well known tracks

I am a big Flaming Lips fan, and this is one of my all time faves. Great music.

like it. interesting 🙂🙂

What you get when you mix psychedelic pop and indie rock in the 2000s? With Yoshimi, Wayne Cohen and company delivered a perfect successor to the soft bulletin. This record is and adventure. The music is both energetic, innocent and, at times, a little eerie. I’ve heard that it’s about fighting cancer. Not too sure, but it’d make sense. Great work-highly recommended

Weird, groovy, pop-elements, interesting concept of an album and thought-provoking lyrics that must mean something to someone. Do you realize?? is a timeless track.

One of the greatest albums of all time.

Peak peak and peak

the sound

out there and good

Yes

What a fantastic treat to be told by an album generator that I *have to* listen to one of my favorite records of all time. I love, have always loved, will always love "Do You Realize?" more than just about any bit of uplifting media. The message -- that we are all tiny, insignificant motes of dust in an indifferent universe and we will all be gone before we know it -- is somehow so inspiring when paired with the swelling and ebbing of the music. Throughout the rest of the album, the groovy interludes, the weird noises, the screams of rage and the spacey expanses of utter calm...it's just so good.

So chill to listen to (despite some of the lyric of course), I just want to lie in a hammock with a cocktail in my hand listening to the waves of the ocean while listening to this pondering about life.

Know and love this crazy album. Such cool sounds. Can't rave about this enough.

Favorite Flaming Lips album, they seem to have gotten it all just right on this one.

I started to think differently about this band after listening to this album for the first time. A favorite of mine.

Fantastic and perfect.

Might be unfairly upvoting as a familiar fave, but name a better synth rock album about pink robots and the meaning of life, love and caring the weight of the world

i genuinely can’t explain it but i really like this album?? love a concept album, and there clearly so much intention behind each song, with clear highs and lows that signal different parts of a story the battle between yoshimi and the pink robot is very well communicated and its kind of crazy how music can do that i like the tension between the acoustic elements and the electronic sounds of 'in the morning of magicians'. 'are you a hypnotist' is such a great song i like the psychedelic vibe. and then ‘do you realize??’ and ‘all we have is now’ are so introspective and vulnerable. WOW!! at the same time i feel like people wouldn’t connect with this as much as i have, making me think i should maybe relisten but tbh i doubt i will. it was so nice as a one time listening experience sooo

I was hoping this would be good because of that album cover, and it was. And it sometimes sounded like robots!

Everytime I listen to this album it bring me great joy and remember what a gem of an album it truly is.

fire fire fire so fire

Really enjoyed this, an album I should've dived into long ago but never did. Fave Tracks: Fight Test, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt 1., Do You Realize? 4.5/5

Literally save me life, this one.

A band I had somehow slept on. Got assigned “The Soft Bulletin” a few months back and loved it. Went down the rabbit hole and listened to a bunch of their albums. I haven’t listened to all of them yet, but Yoshimi is my favorite so far. I’ve listened to it several times and was perfectly happy to get it assigned on a lazy Thanksgiving morning. It’s a beautiful album full of unique texture. Lyrically goofy but somehow poignant at the same time. Fantastic production, so it’s a fun ride through headphones.

I was really confused why I was hearing "Father and Son" for a second there, had to go straight to the Wiki to confirm. Always rough when you have to fight a legal battle over such an obvious ohmage. Just own up to it and have an agreement before the album ever goes out. Overall this was a great album! I've already had their other entry on the list and it was good, this is great. It's abstract in just the right ways. Fantastic listen!

5 stars for "Do You Realize??". The rest is also very good too

This is one of my favorite records of all time. I’ll never forget the first time I listened to this. After deeply conversing with the magic dragon I turned off all the lights in my room and left only a single cheap light light that imitated an aurora up on my ceiling. I plugged my phone into my speakers and pressed play, leaning back in my office chair. Flight Test came on and at that moment I knew I was in for something special. The strange yet playful sounds of what I imagine were synths helped create an atmosphere of something akin to listening to alien radio. Where I knew it was music but from somewhere I had never heard of or imagined could be real. Every time track on this album took my through a roller coaster of emotions, the “What have I done, will I ever come back” feeling when the droning sounds of One More Robots intro and outro play and the feeling of pure joy and wonder as Yoshimi Battle Part 1 begins. I was so overwhelmed with emotion listening to this for the first time I had to lay down and just let the music flow through me in a way. By the time Do You Realize?? started playing I had already came to the verge of tears at several points throughout the listening session. At which point I could hold it no longer. For context, I can’t say I have ever really found any particular “love song” that truly resonated with me enough to feel any profound experience of what I would compare to how I relate to that experience. But this song changed that for me. When I tell you I was laying in bed crying but also smiling at such a piece of art that truly helped me to encapsulate the feeling of both boundless love and appreciation for those I truly care for in life, as I sat there thinking of every person in my life that’s important to me, but also realization that at one point not only I but also they will die- was such a powerful experience performed so excellently through art I can confidently say it is one of my favorite songs not only in the album but of all time. This album holds a very special place in my heart, and I truly cherish the experience of being able to share it with others who have not listened to it. As my introduction to The Flaming Lips, I can think of no better album in their discography I truly cherish more.

Great album! Enjoyable and fun. Never heard it before

One of my all-time favorite albums. Listened to it after a week in Vegas and had been up for close to 40 hours. Trippy

I was gonna say this is great but it’s not as good as the Soft Bulletin. But I’m not so sure any more, this might be better than or at least equal to Soft Bulletin. I have yet to see if that one is on the list, but Soft Bulletin and At War with the Mystics also deserve to be on here as well.

This was great I had no idea

This was surprisingly great. I’ll always absolutely love concept albums and the album cover itself is stunning. I’d recommend this to anybody

Do u realize is on my funeral playlist.

Oh Yoshimi, they don't believe me, But you won't let those robots eat me Oh come on, I'm in love.

A vibey and dreamy album. The mix of acoustic and electronic sounds is super cool and channels the imagery of Yoshimi battling against the evil, pink robots. The variety of different instruments and sounds on this album actually blows my mind a bit. The vocalist reminds me of Neil Young, which is interesting. I like that there's a loose concept/story, but the songs all stand on their own. The further I listened, the more I loved this one. There are so many beautiful songs on this album: In the Morning of the Magicians, It's Summertime, and Do You Realize?? stood out to me as particularly lovely. This feels like a very life-affirming album. I also think the album art is sweet. 9.5/10.

Such an odd, dreamy, melodic, hypnotizing yet charming album. Theres a lot of depth to this album, within the storytelling/conceptualness of it, as well as the messages within the poetic lyricism. The whole vibe of this was just really awesome, fun, and creative. I cant imagine how you would hate this album or this sort of music, like I could see if its not your thing. But hating it?! Its just so inoffensive, and innocent. The drums are dope, and the evolving synth additions and sampling here and there add a lot of depth to the already great instrumentation. Anyone hating on Yoshimi needs to get kidnapped and delivered to the Pink Robots... Its kind of reminiscent of some sort of weird old anime, with this vitamin eating karate girl fighting giant pink robots to save the world. I imagine the first 3 songs as this lead up to this epic battle, (which is interesting to be within the front of the album) ending with the battle in Pt. 2 of Yoshimi battling the pink robots. Then it sorta goes off the rails into some sort of weird lovely side quests. The album art also helps to give you a picture of what this album could look like if it was visualized (the pink robot with legs coming out of its stump legs is just so creative and weird). Just sort of adds to the whole package. Favorites were: Fight Test, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt 1 & 2, and Do you Realize?? 9/10

Buzzing

i love synth design on here. fucking incredible album here omg, this is so me-coded, they made this for me specifically. shit jus makes me happy

Beautiful album, one of my favourites of all time. Interesting psychedelic sound, emotional lyrics and vocals, glad to see it on the list

omg i love this album

I already loved the title track but didn't know the rest of the album. Oh now that I hear it I did know Do You Realize also. But ya, the album was really great! I loved the different types of sounds here.

I got a copy of this a decade ago. I always liked the idea of the concept album, and that cool bass delay effect (which I'm adamant was inspired by KOTOR). I had listened to a few of the songs, but never the whole album (funny how I did that in youth). I'm guessing this is the most approachable/easy to get into Flaming Lips album. I think NZ adverts had 'Do you realise?' in ad campaigns just before I left. It's a catchy album, it's well thought out and indie/quirky enough in the right spots. I once went to my nephew's school play and remember watching the Year 6 class sing Yoshimi while one of the kids pretended to do karate in a box costume. C- performance. This, on the other hand, is 5 stars!

This gives the vibe of a man who heard Father and Son by Cat Stevens one morning and suddenly felt inspired to live a life more like that of Yusuf Islam. The man stops drinking alcohol altogether, and walks the world with a newfound blissful outlook on everything around him. He does smoke a bunch of weed and dabble in psychedelics though.

00’s Flaming Lips golden age

Best album, reminds me of college

A classic

Wack, zany, and nonsensical with flashes of astonishing human brilliance. I love when an album makes me feel small, and this one does it in the best way.

This album is so quirky and crazy and still so damn beautiful

They are a personal favorite of mine and this album is pretty close to flawless to me. Easy 5/ 5

A detached yet softly emotional electronic rock album. The singing has a melancholy quality to it, but somehow feels detached at the same time. Instrumental arrangements are typical of post-OK Computer indie/alt rock, being a mix of acoustic guitar and synths. These qualities combine, however, to produce a beautifully melancholic masterpiece of indie songwriting and arrangements. This band might just be America's answer to Radiohead, at least in terms of sound if not lyricism.

Vet knappt varför men det här är en femma?

Listens: ~10-12 (over the past 2 or so years) Standout Tracks: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1 and 2, Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell, Do You Realize?? I don't always battle the robots, but when I do, they are pink... and I know karate. I had tried to get into the Flaming Lips over the years, but it only recently clicked for me. This album is what did it for me, though I initially started out with their rendition of The Dark Side of the Moon. Anyways, you wouldn't know if from my summary page, but I do actually like electronica music, and so this album - their infusion of rock with heavy electronica elements and instrument distortion - hits pretty hard for me. I enjoy the themes present in the music and I adore the idea of a Japanese woman who is disciplined, and a black belt in karate, battling pink robots. Even more so given the album cover, where the robots have little arms and legs coming off of their massive tree trunk legs. Very Robotic.

Actually loved this. Was surprised out how great the production and instrumentation was. I’ve known of the flaming lips but never really listened beyond singles. Great vibe and album, I will spend more time with this and other albums from them.

Absolute classic, saw them play the whole of this live for the 25th anniversary and is just killer from start to finish.

Really good album. Possibily underrated.

First 5 of the project! I oftentimes have trouble clicking with Psych Pop in its 60s incarnation, but modern NeoPsych is a different story: This stuff is utterly intoxicating. Absolutely simmering atmosphere and melodies, bolstered by great use of electronica, and a strong yet not overpowering concept at its core. Highly recommend!

like

At the turn of the century we were looking to see what the next millennium would bring. Out comes this album which gave us a futuristic back drop to electronic back beats behind whimsical melodies. The lyrics are prophetic as one day we will need those vitamins to defeat those ill intentioned machines. The profound lyrics of ‘do you realize’ has lived rent free in my head for 23 years because you really do have a beautiful face.

Сначала не очень. А потом понравилось!

yeah so i think this might be the best album of all time

What a solid album. I think this was their last real shot at mainstream radio success (-> — <-AI) everything after that has leaned more toward collaborations and experimental work.

A modern classic.

A genuine classic. Six stars

If you have a friend that says they don’t like psychadelia, show them this album. If you have a friend that says they don’t like noise, show them this album. Hell, if you have a friend that says they don’t like just about whatever, show them this album. It might not have anything to do with what they were complaining about, but you’d both be better off for it

One of the greatest albums of all time.

Almost as good as The Soft Bulletin

Love this. Has aged surprisingly well, and is more varied than I remembered. Can come across as childish, but like all the best kid's entertainment, there's some deep deep stuff underneath...

I hadn’t listened to this album as a whole in at least 10 years. My memory was of an album with great singles but also filler. As a 30 year Flamingo Lips fan, I’ve admired their ability to push their ramshackle psychedelia to different places, and that always made Soft Bulletin a bigger step for me and a near perfect album. This album and the one that follows, kept playing in the same sandbox that got forged by the boom box experiments and then Zaireeka. There are a lot of good songs here besides the big three (Fight Test, Yoshimi 1, and Do You Realize) including Are You a Hypnotist?? and In the Morning of the Magicians and that got me to 4.5 stars. It’s not Revolver but it’s a really good record and it has the state song of Oklahoma (Do You Realize), which is probably the coolest thing Oklahoma has done in the last 30 years.

I was once a black belt in karate. No, I lied. I only got to brown belt. It’s tough to understate my deep love and connection to this album. It came along at the perfect time for me, a teenager exploring the wide world of psychedelic music, discovering the “concept album” after a years long obsession with Pink Floyd. I was very happy to get a reason to revisit it in its entirety for the first time in years. It’s still amazing, and one of the better structured track lists ever put to tape. Every song works, but more than that, they all feel like they’re in their perfect spots. Do You Realize? is so well earned near the end of the record. It’s groovy, experimental, and maybe most importantly, accessible fun.

The Flaming Lips broadcast a fairytale from the future, where warmth and wonder hold the line against technology's cold advance.

I love this album, but it is not new to me. Moving music that doesn't take itself to seriously.

I really like this. The bass is sooo good on this album. I definitely prefer at war with the mystics but I’ll listen to this more.

Beautiful Album. I really love this album. It incorporates massive and beautiful production with warm saturated synth bases and gritty basses with simple and well placed vocals with beautiful lyrics that come across as very organic, and genuine. The drums are hard hitting and solid throughout the album. I love this album very much. It's a psychadelic ride through nostalgia that leads you through a daydream and leaves you closer to your self.

This is great stuff. Creative, cohesive, catchy.

Weirdly hadn’t enjoyed this album until now. Banger after banger. Ego tripping at the gates of hell is a perfect song with a perfect title

My favorite Flaming Lips album. I think about Yoshimi often.

good album

Every time I revisit this record I seem to find more to love. I think yoshimi part 2 is enough to love on its own. I just really love the production, the songwriting at the core, the groove.. There's something radiohead about it all but I can't quite tell what (that's a very good thing for me.) there is also of course something very very flaming lips.

Great album, but I feel like after the two Yoshimi tracks it isnt a concept album at all

this was flaming lips at their absolute peak. the world needs more weird shit.

I started this list because of this album. I heard it for the first time last year and it instantly became one of my favourites. Then I saw it was on the list and thought it would be a great way to find other albums that were just as good. I think almost every track on this album has been my favourite at some point.

Redeeming album from this list. Something I'd probably never find or go out of my way to listen to. Awesome all the way through!

I love this album. i have listened to it many time and always find it amazing.

Masterpiece.

Le parfait chaînon manquant entre David Bowie et Gorillaz ? Je suis fan bravo.

I love the variety you get from a modern Flaming Lips album, although this does fall into the same patterns a few times. The highlights are astonishing - Do You Realise is perfect, All We Have Is Now goes in unexpected directions. Nearly knocked off a point for Fight Test being exactly the same as Cat Stevens Father & Son, but all in all it's still great. A low 5.

Vocals are a little thin, but I'm really enjoying this. Don't let those robots eat me :>

Holds a special place in high school me’s heart. Favorite tracks: Fight Test, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1

I mean everything The Flaming Lips do is exceptional to me. They consistently turn it on and all the way up to 11.

If I don’t discover another album that I didn’t previously know, this record makes this project worth it. Exceptional performances, the production is perfect and some great lyrics on here. So glad I came across this. It will be on my rotation of regular listens. I’ll even buy it on vinyl for permanent access.

This was lovely. Bought it while on sabbatical in 2002 but haven't listened all the way through for years. Really good.

I was lucky enough to see them play this album in its entirety on the 20th Anniversary of its release at Boston Calling. It was a great show, complete with 30 foot inflatable pink robots on the stage. This is their masterpiece , and Do You Realize?? gives me goose bumps every time I hear it.

I’m grateful to who introduced this album to me.

I've been falling in love with this album over the last months already, so I wasn't surprised to see this one pop into this list. Excellent, fun, and clearly set the stage for a whole era of indie/electropop that followed it. On hard repeat.

Beautiful, fun, profound.

The first thing that catched my attention was the cover art. I didn't click on play yet, but I already knew it will be an adventurous ride and oh boy the album did not dissapoint me. It already started with a banger with amazing instrumentals with beautiful matching vocals. The entire album genuinely felt floaty and nostalgic, even though it was my first listen. I really enjoyed it and now I'm looking into the vinyls (they look absolutely beautiful). Do you realize?? is my fav.

A perfect album. 10/10, no notes.

The easiest five stars I've given an album on this list.

It's fun and odd!

I went into this album not knowing the artist or what to expect, and it completely blew me away. At first, I thought it might be a classic soul record (which I love), but it turned out to be something more unique. The sound feels like a fusion of Daft Punk and Radiohead. The lyrics are incredible, balancing humor, warmth, and warning in equal measure. “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1” especially stands out it’s playful, relaxing, and oddly profound. The whole album has this rare quality of being both comforting and having a message, like it’s in on a joke but also pointing to something bigger. This is a definite five-star listen for me. Easily a 9/10.

One of my favourite albums. Some really interesting production in this one with some very angry synth fights. Really captures the child-like wonder and imagination it's going for, for a delightful and hopeful listening adventure.

Absolutely love this album.

A great, great album. At times invigorating and uplifting, at others introspective and heartfelt, but always interesting. Also, that thunderous drum sound on Fight Test is epic.

Classic Bouncing balls and psychedelic puppies

Big fan of this one, got tons of groovy songs you can't help but Bob your head to. Also appreciate all the weird shit they're doing on here. Could be an all time fav if I listen enough

En redig tjollablängare!

This album is brilliant and captivating from start to finish.

This was in phenomenal listen. I'm marginally aware of the band and this album would be a 4 but for its two most famous tracks. 1) The title track is well constructed and a top 100 all-time song for me. 2) Do you realize is, to me, one of the most beautiful set of lyrics ever put together and the music drives home its points. I broke down sobbing on my way into work this morning - reflecting on the sad state of my marriage, the loss of my family, and the hope found in my grandson. Ya - going though some shit. Maybe circumstances are influencing my thoughts today but for now, 5/5.

Really took me to what the future of music could look like. To me, non traditional sounds coming from a non-traditional band.

Pure nostalgia. This was one of the albums you had to have an opinion on to be taken seriously by the hipsters in college. Was always obvious that they were performing a mix of the best parts of others' opinions and probably hardly listened to it. Which was sad because I played it probably 200 times that semester. And then it disappeared for me. My tastes changed, it was tucked away, never revisited. Glad it made this list.

Weno

5 stars

Plainspoken philosophical lyrics combined with fun melodies and cartoon psychedelia production. One the Lips’ 4 masterpieces.

Not much can compare to The Flaming Lips. Their music reminds you that their live sets are even more fun and quirky. Its very enjoyable to listen to even when it bends and moves in ways you wouldnt expect.

One of the best psych albums of all time, period. Insanely lush, gorgeous, and full of beauty.

A truly wonderful record!

Banger

This is such a funky, cool and interesting album

very nice, YOSHIIINAAAA🐕🐕🐶

This one's a classic. To me it sounded futuristic years ago, and I think it still does. Great drumming at times - especially on Are You A Hypnotist?? - for a band with no permanent drummer at the time. Do You Realize is such a beautiful song. Liked Songs Added: Flight Test Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, Pt. 1 Ego Tripping At The Gates Of Hell Are You A Hypnotist?? Do You Realize??

Not quite a perfect album, but this is the Flaming Lips at their best, imo. Wayne's singing could still be better, but the songs are so well written and polished that I can forgive it. Love the futuristic robot lyrics and existential themes. Ego Tripping has one of my favourite basslines ever, it's one of my headphone/speaker reference tracks. 9/10

Liked it more than I thought i would!

Nearly 20 years since band formation, the Flaming Lips peaked with this, their tenth album. Still sounding great.

I walked in the mountains in the summer and listened to this album. And he was so perfect for it. A great combination of dead electronics and amazing feelings and tools. Very unique

אני לא יודע למה, אבל האלבום הזה מדהים. פשוט מדהים. זה לא הז'אנר שלי בכלל אבל זה מצוין. שיר מועדף - Yoshimi battles the pink robots pt. 2

I hate it when I find an album that's like "this is a 10/10, this is peak [insert band here] and nothing will ever beat this in the genre" and then the band makes a significantly better album that blows me further out of the water than the first one did. This is that album, and this album is perfect. this is one of those rare 11/10 if it were possible kind of records. Incredible storytelling, incredible instrumentals, incredible everything. Astounding beyond words.

Really like this! Already knew Do You Realize??, And loved everything else as well. Could go for a four, but think I’m going to be generous! Simpsons: Yes (possibly the most niche reference yet)

Discovered this album at Uni and haven’t listened to it for years. Loved it then, love it now.

Truly life-changing for me. Part of my origin story. I am sure I have told everyone reading this about it. Probably several times.

cool

Incredibly charming opening song. That synth lead/bassline walks down in a way that reminds me not of the Cat Stevens song it often gets compared to, but of “Our House” by CSN&Y. Knew I was in for something special when this songs was done. Parts 1 & 2 of the title track are a great bit of storytelling. Part 1 in particular was pretty striking. I think I wasn’t expecting a fictional story like that to be accompanied by the arrangement/sounds that The Flaming Lips go for. It’s a bit melancholy and grounded in pretty, acoustic instrumentation. Then part 2 is just a masterclass in NOT using words to let the story play out. The next bit that struck me was in the following song, “In The Morning Of The Magicians”. There’s this fantastic programmed kick drum that just sounds really really good for something that came from 2002. The production on songs like this or “One More Robot / Sympthy 3000 is selective, shimmery, and holds up REALLY well. Parts of “Ego Tripping At The Gates Of Hell” and “Are You A Hypnotist” halfway through the record were the only time this project almost fell of its 5/5 star pace - a bit of meandering without really achieving nearly as much as the first third of the record did. “Do You Realize??” deserves all the flowers it gets. Surely the band knew what they had with this song - I’m always impressed when a key change doesn’t completely ruin a song for me. Very few times to I get to listen to an album for the first time and just kick back, knowing it’s gonna be a 5/5. Loved this from start to finish. No snoozers, fantastic concept that exists in its own world, and some production work that holds up wildly well to this day. Some pop influence sprinkled into the arrangement choices. Sticks the landing

Endnu en kæmpe positiv overraskelse. Jeg kendte et par af numrene, og de passede vildt godt ind på albummet som helhed

16 årige Rasmus synes Do You Realize?? var den bedste sang der nogensinde var skrevet og jeg er ikke helt sikker på han tog fejl. Glemmer nogen gange hvor god resten af pladen er, super fedt at høre igen, den er SÅ god

Great album

Muy chulo y original

I’ve been very excited to listen to this album. I’ve had a few songs off this record saved, but never listened to it fully. I didn’t know how I was gonna like the entirety of the album based off of when I saw them open for Weezer (weird lineup), but I thought this album was great all the way through. Their live performance was so weird and depressing. The frontman was yelling at the crowd to get energized and loud for all of their songs, which was a total miss. Their music doesn’t call for that energy at all. I’m thinking a decent 5 on this. Definitely will continue listening to them and more of their discography.

Surprised at how much I enjoyed this. I feel like I missed the window on really getting into bands like this but this was still really good and I think I’m gonna go with a trepidatious light 5/5

Radiohead but With more robots, finally Some good '02 food.

Awesome. Their second best album.

A great listening. Really like the vision, story and the emotions of this albums Fav song - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1 and Are You a Hypnotist?? 5/5

This one wasn't on my radar at all, but I loved it, right up my alley. It's hard to pinpoint what exactly makes it so good. But I think it's a sense of vulnerability, coupled with a sense of intentionality. It tugs at your capacities to feel and to dream, and it just works. My heart goes out to Yoshimi. If she is still fighting out there, I wish her success.

This will be the album I choose as my favorite when I complete this challenge. It's a perfect 10/10 album and then Do you Realize hits, and just goes off the fucking charts.

Random thoughts: * "The test begins now" * This is already one of my favorite albums so I will just continue to gush here. * I love myself a concept album and to boot, one about robots going crazy and a karate-trained girl name Yoshimi battling them! How fucking cool?!? * I don't totally get the story but there is a wizard/magicians and time travel as well! * I love the proggy/psychedelia of the music as well. * I want "Do You Realize?" played at my funeral. * I distinctly remember being introduced to this album (shout out to Gubiotti) and listening to it on repeat while commuting endless hours on the LIRR. * Always happy to throw this one on! Must listen for everyone!

Wow album released on my birthday in 2002! A 14 year old me getting ready for sophomore year. Little did I know that 23 years later I’d listen to it for the first time and love every single second of it. 👨🏻‍🍳💋

I remember loving this when it came out, but haven't listened to it for years, so wondered if it would hold up. It totally does. It's proof that an album can sound experimental and poppy at the same time;; and that being a concept album doesn't can actually be additive, not just a limiting factor.

It may be an overplayed hipster classic, but it's an overplayed hipster classic for a reason.

This probably my favorite rediscovery on this journey so far. I haven’t listened to this album in like 20 years and kinda remember feeling “meh” about it, but this time around I thought it was great

Music made by the band for the band. Very few bands do this (Radiohead) and it is when you get the most creative and greatest moments in music.

This album is almost everything I crave in a good record. Blissful and funky synths, some immaculate bass, acoustic guitars to strum along to; I was at the edge of my seat soon as the first track ended, eager to hear the rest. Towing the line between melancholic and bombastic masterfully, this album has easily worked its way into my regular rotation

Love this album. It still gives me the chills the same way it did when I first listened to it.

So deliciously weird while still showcasing solid pop sensibilities. Very listenable for being so strange. I particularly enjoy the philosophical POV. In my personal top 50 for sure.

It’s crazy that this band has been around since the 80s and their best album is from 2002. Like this album has everything, it’s got silly lore, amazing cover art, a couple huge hits, super psychedelic feeling jammy parts, etc. This album is a no skip album which I think says a lot coming from a short attention spanned adhd individual. Seriously this album is somehow super fun and silly but also incredibly chill and relaxing. Definitely go listen to this one.

4.6 2x+ old favorite

OH HELL YEAH!!!! my dad used to play this all the time when I was a kid, especially the title track "yoshimi battles the pink robots, part 1" - nowadays the nostalgia from that song is palpable. anyway this is a 5, and also my first 5, I am 100% planning on listening to this many more times. the album is basically a cross between sgt pepper's and the steven universe score, having a lot of cool psychedelic elements that just make you feel like you're floating in a sea of clouds. the melodies in this album are absolutely beautiful, and wayne has a really nice voice that works well with this type of music. the lyrics are also a lot more cohesive than I expected - I thought they would be a lot more abstract and stream-of-conciousness, but there's a lot of meaning behind them to me, especially "fight test" and "are you a magician?" favorite song: still "yoshimi battles the pink robots, part 1". although I must also give a shout-out to part 2, an instrumental that I can only imagine soundtracks the actual battle against the robots. overall: 10/10 P.S. someone from my high school's senior quote was "do you realize that you have the most beautiful face". guess they had good taste in music.

Never listened to this band before. God damn that is a near perfect album, absolutely beautiful

Jammed this a lot back in the day. Still great.

I like this one a lot, normally I prefer songs that focus on the lyrics more but I'm so blown away by the soundscape the album creates that it overrides that preference. Favorites are Fight Test and Do You Realize??

The name ringed some bells but I'm not sure I ever listened to them. Not long after the beginning of the album I could date when it was released; this mixture of pop, electronic music and psychedelic rock seems to have peaked at this time. The album starts slowly but then there are more than a couple of songs that really caught my attention, and beneath their sound, I was hooked. I liked it more than what I expected, some parts are almost epic, for a really nice combination with the overall atmosphere of the record.

That's a trippy album.

Just a really fun and textured album that gets better with every listen. Not every song sticks, but the whole just works.

I think I’ve listened to some albums by the Flaming Lips before, but I don’t remember any of them gripping me quite as much as this one did. I listened to this on a long drive down to Swindon, and it made the drive far more enjoyable. The singer’s voice is like a scented candle, in that the mere presence makes me feel comfortable. The music wrapping around these vocals was beautiful and interesting throughout. There is nothing to fault here. This is a lovely album.

An amazing album, one of the easiest 5s. The Soft Bulletin, this and At War with the Mystics are an incredible run of albums to have released back-to-back. Rest In Peace to Matt T. who introduced me to this album and a lot of other music.

Fave track: Yoshimi battles the pink robots pt. 1

En av mina riktiga favoriter med Flaming Lips, den var länge i skymundan av föregångaren Soft bulletin som var min ingång och är säkert på min topp 10 av fantastiska skivor. Men den här är minst lika bra, minst lika starka låtar, galnare, psykedeliskt och tusen infall. Ja, idag är detta nog den flaming lips som är mitt förstaval.

Amazing album. I heard one song from this band in the 90s and I thought it was dumb. I am so glad I gave this album a chance. One of the best albums I have heard in years. Amazing. I listened to it on repeat all day.

Can I give it six stars?

Great concept album, amazing execution.

One of my all time favorites, probably personal top 10-20. Amazing album.

One of my favorite albums of all time.

WOW I always assumed Flaming Lips was like the strokes or black keys or something, this is much much cooler and better. So far this is the first album I can see coming back to and diving into the rest of the discog

i don't think i have ever interacted with the flaming lips in any capacity until listening to this and it was so good! interested to check out more

Clássico. Parece que mesmo quem nao cresceu ouvindo esse disco sente nostalgia por ele. Talvez seja porque ele remete a tempos mais simples, uma inocência trocada pela bravura e coragem pra enfrentar os robôs, tal como a própria Yoshimi. Flaming Lips, ótima banda. Rankeei a discografia deles alguns meses atras e fiquei de cara o quão boa ela é. Foi uma verdadeira aventura do inicio ao fim. Muita gente os resume apenas a Yoshimi e Soft Bulletin e isso simplesmente nao é justo! Meu album favorito deles, Embryonic, mal é discutido por ai... Absurdo. Fight Test: uma das minhas intros favoritas de qualquer disco! Os efeitos sonoros, o baixo totalmente distorcido, os vocais e letras "If it's not now then tell me when". Um sabor absoluto. Constroi uma fundacao sólida dos temas liricos e sonicos que serão explorados nos proximos 47 minutos. A distorcao vem em peso durante todo o disco. Pra mim, FLips se assemelha a Talking Heads, no sentido que eles casam maravilhosamente o experimental e o acessível. Eles possuem em seu catalógo albuns vastamente experimentais como o famigerado Zaireeka (gravado em 4 CDs que voce precisa dar um jeito de ouvir simultaneamente! Conceito brilhante...). Esse aqui nao chega em tais extremos, e acaba sendo, em sua maior parte, facilmente acessível e até mesmo pop em partes! Mas faixas como Yoshimi pt.2 te lembram do que a banda é capaz. A parede de barulho que emana desse disco é simplesmente de tirar o fôlego. Esse album, assim como grande parte do catalogo da banda, é um sonho para audiófilos. Se voce, assim como eu, possui um sistema hifi, eu imploro para que voce arranje uma cópia em CD desse disco, ou baixe um Lossless por aí, e ouca bem alto! No 11 mesmo! Fodase os vizinhos, esse album merece o tratamento estrondoso. Tem hora que parece que ele esta vivo e respirando. Doideira. 5

FINALLY. One of the first classics I ever listened too. No Skips. Perfect psychedelic concept rock album. A crazy story that turns into a mediation about life and death. This concert at Bonnaroo was one of the best music experiences and general experiences of my life.

Voi pojat..m Älykästä... On älykästä menoa tässö..

Only knew the hits previously, but just listened to this through about 4 times over the course of the weekend and can't get enough of it.

Forgot what a great album this is. Bittersweet memories though. Long story. 5

Incredibly good album.

Great album. I usually don't listen to that much indie because it all sounds the same. Each song was different and unique in it's own special way. Definetly one of those secret finds that I've never heard before. I really liked In the Morning of the Magicians, was very inspired and just a bop all around. 5 stars!

Listened to this back in the day and always liked it. With fresh ears and more appreciation for music over the years, I now see why so many people love this album. Fantastic listen.

YES! Best album so far, instant favorite. Exactly the reason why i started doing this. would give it 6/5 if i could

The perfect mashup of music and weather - took this as the soundtrack for a nice sunny bike ride down the beach. Love that they were forced to give Cat/Yousef a writing credit on Fight Test. My mind kept going to Pink Floyd as a conceptual psychedelic album, and looks like FL has covered all of Dark Side. There isn’t really a bad song on here, and like Dark Side, you kind of have to listen to the whole thing to fully appreciate any one song. I’ve always wanted to see these guys live, have heard excellent things, but they honestly feel off my radar. Hadn’t thought much about this album since I had it on my first iPod Classic in high school, when space on players was limited and there was no Spotify - we had to work hard for that music collection, or at least think about it in advance. I don’t really have the itch to collect vinyl, but I miss that sense of curation and choice, would love to have my old iPod Classic.

This felt like a journey, such an easy and enjoyable listen . Almost felt like there was some kind of sci fi plot to it . Very much enjoyed . My favourite new album so far( I know I said the same yesterday ) but this is so far clear . I like the name of the band . Sounds crudey rudely! I very much do think that it would be a 4.5 but it’s too good to be a 4 in my books therefore it’s a 5 but would give it a 4.5 if I could xxx

top 10 album

A classic: an inventive, funny, charming love story about robots. There’s a reason “ Do You Realize?” is the state song of Oklahoma.

найс. несколько песен слышал много раз в предложке спотика.

I'd never heard this one before, but I loved it. Really interesting and fun to listen to, with a unique sort of storytelling.

I adore this album. Probably my 2nd favorite Flaming Lips album (after The Soft Bulletin). Drozd is such an underrated drummer/musician. Fight Test, Yoshimi Pt.1, and Do You Realize?? are all S-tier. Yoshimi Pt.2 and Approaching Pavonis Mons are both great instrumentals.

The Flaming Lips’ *Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots* (2002) is an utterly charming and essential piece of 21st-century psychedelia, with its whimsical, layered soundscapes and sci-fi allegories making the listening experience genuinely fun and emotionally resonant. The album's dreamy, electronically-tinged orchestral rock creates a uniquely buoyant and melancholic atmosphere that proved highly inspirational, setting a new standard for modern alternative music and encouraging a wave of subsequent artists to embrace a similarly colorful, maximalist, and experimental pop sensibility.

SOOOOOOOO good im so glad i gave it a try because its going to be on my rotation for suree

Special album for me, feels like a perfect trip. All of the songs meld together in a perfect way but they also stand out from each other. Album is truly a journey that takes you to another world.

A trippy experience from start to finish. The album is coherent throughout and everything feels intentional. Every song feels unique and nothing feel’s overdone. Plenty of songs that I saved and will listen to in the future. 9/10

Just an absolutely fantastic album. I loved the bubbly beats with soft vocals, perfect for a late night listen. Only complaint is that one song on the album was not only bad but it hurt my soul to listen to.

Somehow this album makes me feel like I'm tripping balls. I don't like everything The Flaming Lips has put out, but this album is actually a masterpiece. I'm glad I'm doing this project so I would give this album a chance. It's my best discovery so far! Best Songs: Fight Test, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Ego Tripping at the Gates, Do You Realize Worst Songs: NA

Love it

Creative, catchy and cool.

A mystical, other worldly album, with little comparison. There are a couple of underwhelming numbers, even though embellished with the great, ethereal synth sounds consistent across the album. The underlying melodies are often fantastic - and it's easy to let the imagination run away and believe there is a narrative here. Elements of robots, space, Japanese manga combine to make it quite cinematic and quite unique.

Still the absolute best version of The Flaming Lips psychedelic sincerity. Beautiful, grand and weird in equal measure.

5/5

Loved it! Listened to it then and will continue to listen!

This shouldn’t work, but it did. Loved it.

One of my favorite albums ever.

Really good album and band. I’ve been listening to the flaming lips a lot lately, trying to decide what my favorite album of theirs is. This is a strong contender, with in my opinion some of their best songs. Yoshimi pts 1+2 and do you realize are really standout tracks. It’s an album I’ll never get tired of, although I do think it is maybe just slightly overhyped, at least to the extent that it seems to overshadow the rest of their discography. Not a pure 5, but probably like a 9.5/10