Sound: Sometimes it’s a glorious audio overload of chunky bass, fuzzy riffs, earnest falsetto and spirited choirs and harmonies coming at you from all directions; More often, it’s a sedated, lush soundscape with dense and dreamy layers that eventually devolve into experimental noodling.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song“; “The W.A.N.D.“; “Goin’ On“; “Free Radicals“; “Mr. Ambulance Driver“
Medium Rotation tracks: “The Sound of Failure“
Recommended: At War With the Mystics lacks the consistent vibe of their last two albums, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and The Soft Bulletin, and is more akin to the noisy, erratic and free nature of their earlier stuff. That means there are plenty of richly textured, super-satisfying highlights. But there are just as many free-formed diversions that disrupt the momentum and feel out of place with the immediate surroundings. Newer fans may find this frustrating. Long-time Lips enthusiasts may feel right at home. My advice: download the six great tracks listed above.
Grade: B