Embryonic
by The Flaming Lips
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Rolling Stone
    60
    The Lips have always been able to subvert pie-eyed whimsy with a sense of homespun beauty, and there's plenty of that here too.
  2. The Guardian
    60
    For all its flaws and failings, for all that you may never feel like listening to it again, it's hard not to be perversely glad Embryonic exists.
  3. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    Embryonic is certainly not without charm, but its title gives the game away. Largely, it's the sound of a band seeking inspiration rather than finding it.
  5. Slant Magazine
    50
    Embryonic, then, sounds like an over-correction to that trend, pushing the Lips's sound back into more experimental territory.
  6. Q Magazine
    40
    Embryonic has a cloudy feel, full of hulking, malformed basslines, distorted drums, and melodies that circle without ever ascending. [Nov 2009, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Best Album of 2009
50
#50 Most Discussed Album of 2009
56
#56 Most Shared Album of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 113 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 104 out of 113
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 113
  3. Negative: 5 out of 113
  1. All_ButTrU4
    Sep 21, 2022
    9
    If pink floyd took horoscopes seriously . They attempt and succeeded at elevating prog rock with the more modern indie 00's rock at it'sIf pink floyd took horoscopes seriously . They attempt and succeeded at elevating prog rock with the more modern indie 00's rock at it's center. This record is a difficult but proficient return to form. Perhaps one of their greatest if not most cohesive.… Full Review »
  2. bhsmall
    Sep 25, 2020
    0
    At War With the Mystics was a great political side of Flaming Lips and was such an excellent album. I don't know what happened but this albumAt War With the Mystics was a great political side of Flaming Lips and was such an excellent album. I don't know what happened but this album tries too many different sounds that do not work. This is one of the worst albums they have ever done.… Full Review »
  3. Silmarillion_44
    Dec 6, 2011
    10
    Absolutely flawless. This album is a fu*king machine! Embryonic has a soul, extreme creativity and of course, a moody, yet familiar andAbsolutely flawless. This album is a fu*king machine! Embryonic has a soul, extreme creativity and of course, a moody, yet familiar and heavenly Flaming Lips ambient. Oh well, we ARE talking about THE Lips, so, what else were we expecting... Another brutal win :P… Full Review »
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