Album of the Day

“She Don't Use Jelly” may have put The Flaming Lips on the alternative music map, but CLOUDS TASTE METALLIC took Oklahoma's most fearless freaks into uncharted territory. The 1995 Warner Bros. collection serves as a bridge between the group's indie rock roots and the more ambitious studio experimentation of THE SOFT BULLETIN. As titles like “Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles” or “This Here Giraffe” suggest, the lyrics are rather surreal, but frontman Wayne Coyne makes them sound personal and even joyful. The instrumental palette is over the top as well, though in the service of strong melodies, and features plenty of fine guitar work by Ronald Jones, who would leave the band the following year. The set's critical reputation has risen steadily since its release 25 years ago today, and CLOUDS TASTE METALLIC stands as one of The Flaming Lips' very best.