The Soft Bulletin
by The Flaming Lips
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Rolling Stone
    60
    Another baffling, winning, neopsychedelic recording.
  2. Q Magazine
    40
    The Soft Bulletin echoes the oft-mimiced Smiley Smile by The Beach Boys, with its psychedelic wobbliness, songs-within-songs and airy termperament.

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 1999
1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 1999
7
#7 Most Shared Album of 1999

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 132 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 118 out of 132
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 132
  3. Negative: 8 out of 132
  1. TatrTotz
    Sep 3, 2011
    10
    The perfect album, and by far the magnum opus of The Flaming Lips. The Soft Bulletin is a departure from The Flaming Lips' earlier work, whichThe perfect album, and by far the magnum opus of The Flaming Lips. The Soft Bulletin is a departure from The Flaming Lips' earlier work, which was mostly lo-fi noise rock. The Soft Bulletin's songs are generally slow and soft, and explore various themes, such as love and devotion (The Spiderbite Song, for instance, is as far as I can tell about one's platonic love for another). The lyrics are clever and meaningful, and not superficial at all. In fact, I would say the overarching theme of the album is love. All in all its a beautiful album, and a must-listen-to.… Full Review »
  2. SamS
    Oct 26, 2007
    5
    Much loved by people whose judgment I respect. But it doesn't quite do it for me. I came to it after Yoshimi -- which I love in the Much loved by people whose judgment I respect. But it doesn't quite do it for me. I came to it after Yoshimi -- which I love in the extreme -- and this sounds flabby and maudlin by comparison.… Full Review »
  3. mhmusicnmovies
    Sep 7, 2010
    10
    Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots may have been a bit more out there and mabe even more creative, but the Soft Bulletin is by no means a lesserYoshimi Battles the Pink Robots may have been a bit more out there and mabe even more creative, but the Soft Bulletin is by no means a lesser album. A beautiful record that just keeps getting better.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »