Flaming Lips cross the Vitamin Records radar with this string quartet tribute. Predictably, the
Lips' luscious, swaying pop lends itself quite well to this violin and viola-led set. "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1," "Do You Realize??," "Fight Test," and "She Don't Use Jelly" are all standouts -- filled out with a cello, these versions have a refined depth and aching top end that suggest the very same traits in
the Flaming Lips themselves.
String Quartet Tribute to the Flaming Lips isn't essential -- these sorts of quickie comps never are. But aficionados of the group might get a kick out of these interpretations, which ring with a greater note of validity than the usual Vitamin scree. ~ Johnny Loftus