The same extraordinary madness that infected the best work of Brian Wilson rears its head on the shimmering and melodic Clouds Taste Metallic, a masterful collection which completes the Flaming Lips' odyssey into the pop stratosphere. The Pet Sounds comparisons are obvious -- two of the highlights are titled "This Here Giraffe" and "Christmas at the Zoo" -- yet not unfair; like Brian Wilson, Wayne Coyne has refined his unique vision into something both highly personal and powerfully universal. Similarly, while Coyne's lyrics remain as acid-damaged and inscrutable as ever, his densely constructed songs convey emotional complexities far beyond the scope of their head-case titles ("Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus With Needles," "Guy Who Got a Headache and Accidentally Saves the World"); galvanized by equal parts newfound maturity and childlike wonderment, Clouds Taste Metallic is both the Flaming Lips' most intricate and most irresistible work. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
My favorite Flaming Lips album hands down. It's like a psychedelic children's book set to some seriously beautiful music, and Ronald Jones' sick guitar genius is at its best on this album. You will hear tone colors you've never heard before.
Great album. I dislike some of the lyrics, but musically I think this is incredible. I think its a bit overlooked compared to some of their other (read: newer) work.