Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
by The Flaming Lips
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 144 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 130 out of 144
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 144
  3. Negative: 8 out of 144

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  1. BenjaminBunny
    Jun 8, 2004
    9
    Makes my heart throb and my head bob.
  2. JeremyG
    Jan 4, 2004
    8
    Having heard both albums, one cannot help but compare it to 'Soft Bulletin,' but it still performs admirably even against such a formidable masterwork. A solid album with melodic bliss to spare.
  3. BadCritic
    Jan 4, 2005
    8
    I stuggle a little with the Lips. A first listen of Yoshimi prompts the inevitable (but initially missed by most) comparison with Cat Stevens, but wait, there's more. Listen to The Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi back to back, and you start to pick up threads from other artists, and not necessarily good ones either. Hasn't anyone out there heard the rip off from the (ghastly) Alan I stuggle a little with the Lips. A first listen of Yoshimi prompts the inevitable (but initially missed by most) comparison with Cat Stevens, but wait, there's more. Listen to The Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi back to back, and you start to pick up threads from other artists, and not necessarily good ones either. Hasn't anyone out there heard the rip off from the (ghastly) Alan Parson's Project 'A Turn of a Friendly Card'. Three or four other tracks sound awfully familiar, but hey, Wayne, you pull it off so well, all is forgiven.… Expand
  4. LesZero
    Jul 23, 2002
    10
    The Lips turn down the amps a notch and make a quiet, contemplative, immersive follow-up to the brilliant, brash, astonishing Soft Bulletin. Nice work, gentlemen.
  5. ScottS.
    Jul 25, 2002
    10
    I think that Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots is better than The Soft Bulletin. I'm over 35 and, while The Soft Bulletin was okay, there were a couple of crappy tracks and it was light-years from this new one, where there isn't a bad song in the bunch. I am accustomed to albums of that quality, aka The Wall, Nevermind, and Whos Next. The only thing even close to The Flaming Lips I think that Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots is better than The Soft Bulletin. I'm over 35 and, while The Soft Bulletin was okay, there were a couple of crappy tracks and it was light-years from this new one, where there isn't a bad song in the bunch. I am accustomed to albums of that quality, aka The Wall, Nevermind, and Whos Next. The only thing even close to The Flaming Lips two last albums is a couple of recording in the 90s by nirvana. The rest of this stuff is crap and I try to ignore it. The Flaming Lips is my favorite band that is still recording new material. (On the list of favorite but dead bands are The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Who, and King Crimson). This is some pretty high praise from a professional songwriter. There for awhile, I was in hopes that Queenstryche would measure up and followup their Empire CD, but it never really happened to my satisfaction.… Expand
  6. GregM.
    Aug 25, 2002
    6
    I have owned this album for a month but have yet to hear it the whole way through. Sure, it's not terrible, but Wayne Coyne can do better. He traded the blissful bounce of Satellite and the acid-fried lurch of Clouds for the saintly gait of Soft Bulletin, but without the magic. Still, it's better than no Lips at all.
  7. MichaelM
    Jun 1, 2005
    10
    absolutely the best album of 2002, by far.
  8. billy
    Aug 1, 2005
    10
    Yoshimi piles on layers of melodic wonderment. A true marvel. The Lips are on their way to absolute greatness.
  9. Gray
    Jan 21, 2006
    9
    Incredible Album
  10. BillH
    Mar 6, 2006
    10
    One of the best albums I've ever heard. Simple messages on life, death and love told through ambitious and uplifting song. Yes, to some, some of the instrumentals and songs may sound a bit much, but if you have an ear for the weird and different, you'll love this.
  11. JonL
    Jul 28, 2006
    10
    Sheds the symphonic sweep of The Soft Bulletin for dense, fluid electronica, while retaining the whimsical melancholy and thoughts on life, death, and humanity. The playfulness of the Lips doesn't detract from their more ruminative tracks, rather, it adds punch to the emotional impact and sheer beauty. As good as their previous album, and maybe the best album of the decade. Truly masterful.
  12. DrJiberish
    Feb 25, 2007
    2
    Completely overrated! Same with everything else in my music collection. I give it a 2 and everything else a 1.
  13. MikeS
    Mar 8, 2008
    10
    A breathe of fresh air after listening to loads of crap by Nickelback, Gwen Stefani, Middle Finger Eleven, and you name it. If you enjoy Radiohead in their Kid A/OK Computer iteration, then you will love this!!!
  14. Number45
    May 16, 2008
    10
    The most perfect album I've ever heard.
  15. CarlG.
    May 7, 2008
    10
    This album is one of few I have ever listened to that I would call a masterpiece (in the classical sense). The other is The Soft Bulletin. The album is a journey and you should listen to it from start to finish without interruption.
  16. bunnytiger
    Jul 18, 2002
    10
    this album sounds like rain would sound if every drop of it had a beautiful singing voice to sing along with.
  17. RickG.
    Jul 23, 2002
    8
    A very, very good record for this late in the game for the venerable Lips. If you want a legit #10 rated record from these guys, check out 'Hit To Death In The Future Head'. Now that's a 10! Can't wait to see their new movie, 'Christmas on Mars' this xmas, should be interesting.
  18. BobG.
    Aug 29, 2002
    9
    Never liked the Lips until Soft Bulletin, and I like "Yoshimi" even more. Lush, fantastic and fun. Best record of the year so far.
  19. Sean
    Aug 9, 2002
    10
    amazing simply amazing, a pet sounds for my generation
  20. PanteleimonG
    Jul 15, 2005
    10
    Possibly the most imaginative album in recent years from the most experimental band of our time. Its beautiful story floats smoothly. "Do you realize?", and the title track stand out but the rest of the tracks are not lacking. Simply, an amazingly told, astonishing story.
  21. BearlyyBearlyy
    Mar 27, 2006
    6
    Completely over-rated. Just about above average.
  22. S.L.O'Robot
    Apr 25, 2006
    6
    Overrated, overhyped and staggeringly underwhelming in the wake of the vastly superior "The Soft Bulletin." "Yoshimi," I suspect, garnered most of its raves from: 1) critics who missed the boat on "The Soft Bulletin," and wanted to appear to be in-the-know on the next record, or; 2) those ready to anoint FL as godhead in the afterglow of TSB. If you're new to the Lips and looking for Overrated, overhyped and staggeringly underwhelming in the wake of the vastly superior "The Soft Bulletin." "Yoshimi," I suspect, garnered most of its raves from: 1) critics who missed the boat on "The Soft Bulletin," and wanted to appear to be in-the-know on the next record, or; 2) those ready to anoint FL as godhead in the afterglow of TSB. If you're new to the Lips and looking for a good starting point, skip this one and go straight to "The Soft Bulletin."… Expand
  23. drewB
    Apr 4, 2006
    10
    my balls have just been tripped off
  24. JamesM
    Sep 1, 2007
    7
    An ok album. A bit directionless.
  25. ShaunC
    Jul 9, 2009
    10
    One of the most amazing and creative albums made within the last 30 years. I have been a Flaming Lips fan for about 6 years now and checked out all of their work. Their two best albums by far are Yoshimi and the Soft Bullitin. This album will warm and friendly guide on any "trip" you may wish to take.
  26. TedS.
    Jul 17, 2002
    10
    phenomenal.
  27. VinceP.
    Jul 17, 2002
    10
    Simply, one of the best album's of the year. Fantastic!! I'm still astonished. Congratulations!!
  28. MattS.
    Sep 13, 2002
    9
    I keep going back and forth over whether I liked Yoshimi or the Soft Bulletin better. This week, it's Yoshimi. It's fun but also gets a pretty big emotional response out of me. I was in a pretty reflective mood when this record came out and man did it stick to me. People are either going to like or dislike the production but to me, it's refreshing and you'd be I keep going back and forth over whether I liked Yoshimi or the Soft Bulletin better. This week, it's Yoshimi. It's fun but also gets a pretty big emotional response out of me. I was in a pretty reflective mood when this record came out and man did it stick to me. People are either going to like or dislike the production but to me, it's refreshing and you'd be surprised just how many hooks and melodies you stumble on that grab you after repeated listens. I really like this cd.… Expand
  29. k.y.joeybedrosian
    Oct 15, 2003
    10
    ineffable...
  30. ChrisB
    Apr 24, 2003
    8
    Some singles shine much brighter than the whole as a whole. But it is definitely an enjoyable albumn with good emotional depth on a few tracks and plenty of weird squirmy synth effects that are very original. Excellent albumn for a medium sized gathering or small party.
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Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best Album of 2002
20
#20 Most Discussed Album of 2002
26
#26 Most Shared Album of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Ink Blot Magazine
    90
    The measured use of electronics recalls nothing so much as OK Computer, and in some ways Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots sounds like that album might have if Thom Yorke believed in God.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Songs like "Fight Test" and "Do You Realize" have various tics--but they're so sweet-souled that such sins are easily forgiven. [19 July 2002, p.74]
  3. Mojo
    90
    If Yoshimi.... lacks the sheer shock value of Bulletin's panoramic delirium, its peak moments are enough to make it one of 2002's most rewarding releases. [Album of the Month, Aug 2002, p.92]
See all critic reviews »