The Flaming Lips

Here's what we're all listening to right now: What's on your playlist this week?

Music is life. Or at least it is for us. When we're not writing about it, we're thinking about it, talking about it or listening to it. These are the things that were in heavy rotation for us this week. What are you listening to? What should we be listening to? C'mon now. Sharing is caring. Don't ho ... More >>

New Denver shows: Phoenix, Five Iron Frenzy, Channel 93.3 Big Gig with Lumineers and more

Another solid batch of new shows going on sale this weekend, including Phoenix, who's coming to the Rocks with Dinosaur Jr., Five Iron Frenzy, set to play the Ogden in August, KTCL Channel 93.3 is set to feature the Lumineers, Langhorne Slim and Paper Bird, plus the Monkees. Keep reading for the ful ... More >>

Playing cover songs is a sign of creative fatigue

There's nothing wrong with cover songs. In fact, before Sam Cooke and the Beatles shifted the established paradigms, singer and songwriter were two entirely separate professions. And there's also nothing wrong with a musician recording a cover album in the twilight of their career (Johnny Cash's Ame ... More >>

Moon Shot

Peaches at Summit Music Hall, 10/13/12

PEACHES @ the SUMMIT MUSIC HALL | 10.13.12 With champagne, campy German dancers and enough fake boobs to smother an elephant, Peaches' show at the Summit was a roofied cocktail of grimy beats and erotic theater. Putting on a show that was both grand in scope yet refreshingly minimal in its DIY simp ... More >>

Backbeat's top five spins, week of October 1-7

As people who think about, talk about, write about, listen to and make music, it shouldn't be too surprising to find that the most common (and our mutually favorite) topic of conversation among all of us is the same: "What are you listening to right now?" Stick a quarter in us, and, boy, wouldn't yo ... More >>

Ten best Denver arena concerts of 2011

​As another year comes to a close, this one's going to be remembered for some stellar concerts. All week, we'll be running down a list of our favorites from the past year beginning with this one: Best arena concerts of 2011. Page down to see which shows made the cut. (Click on the band name fo ... More >>

Caption of the Week contest: What does sex have to do with this waffle?

Your caption here.​Here's this week's entry in our Caption of the Week contest, featuring one of the central figures in the feature article "Forbidden Fruit" -- abstinence advocate Shelly Donahue, who's said, among other things, that vaginas are capable of Hoovering up any sperm in their gener ... More >>

Review: The Flaming Lips and Primus at Red Rocks, 8/3/11

Hey, folks, we're off to see the Wizard. Won't you join us?​THE FLAMING LIPS PRIMUS at RED ROCKS | 8/3/11"This will probably go down as one of the greatest shows at Red Rocks - ever!" So declared Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne as part of his introductory rundown on what would be happening ... More >>

From gummy skulls to "Two Blobs Fucking," it's all art for the Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne

Mile Highlights: Shows announced/on-sale this week, local radio playlists and top local sellers

​ Here's what's good in the Mile High City this week. On the concert front: The Flaming Lips have announced a co-headlining date with Primus this August at Red Rocks. Kenny Chesney is also at the Rocks in July, and Panic! at the Disco is due at the Ogden in June. Meanwhile on local radio, Air ... More >>

Top 10 music documentaries currently streaming on Netflix

​Netflix's instant streaming service is quite possibly the most amazing service in the history of mankind. Combing through its offerings, however, is no easy task. Thankfully, we've spent an inordinate amount of time watching music documentaries (so you don't have to) and have narrowed down th ... More >>

Bonded by blood: The DNA-infused antics of Wayne Coyne and other notable bloodlettings

A couple of days ago, Flaming Lips front man Wayne Coyne posted a video of himself screen-printing a poster using his own blood. While the notion of Coyne doing anything weird at this point is hardly surprising, the clip got us to thinking about other artists that have likewise injected themselves ... More >>

Widespread Panic, Jane's Addiction, Michael Franti shows announced

​After selling out three nights at Red Rocks, Widespread Panic returns to the Pepsi Center for a two-night New Year's Eve run on Thursday, December 30, and Friday, December 31. Tickets are $61 and go on sale this Saturday, October 9, at noon and are available through TicketHorse. Speaking of ... More >>

Catching The Heart is a Drum Machine on the second rotation

The first time The Heart is a Drum Machine caught my eye was sometime in March when it popped up on my Netflix Instant queue. It looked interesting -- but I quickly moved on to something else -- probably something with explosions or monsters or some obscure foreign film that put me to sleep. Eithe ... More >>

Q&A with Steve Terebecki of White Denim

White Denim is to modern psychedelic post-punk what Alice Donut was to punk rock -- weird and unafraid to let their varied musical freak flags fly. Across the Austin trio's latest record, Fits, you can hear elements of old progressive rock, garage rock, jazz, splintered blues, as well as aesthetic n ... More >>

Flaming Lips grab top spot at Wax Trax

​The Flaming Lips' latest effort, Embryonic, grabbed the top spot at Wax Trax, while Alicia Keys' new disc, The Element of Freedom, came in second for the week ending January 3. The Felt Pilotes' Wonderful Summer, Susan Boyle's I Dreamed a Dream and the This is Gothic: The Bat Cave Anthology compi ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of December 7, 2009

​As music critics -- and people who generally think about, talk about, listen to and make music -- the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to right now?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation. For t ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of October 26, 2009

​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Flaming Lips grabs top spot at Twist and Shout

​The Flaming Lips' latest effort, Embryonic, grabbed the spot at Twist & Shout for the second week in row while Flight of the Conchord and Lyle Lovett came in second and third. Monsters of Folk's debut and Shrinebuilder's new self-titled album round out the top five for the week ending October ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of October 19, 2009

​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Flaming Lips top seller at Twist and Shout

​The Flaming Lips' two-disc Embryonic, released last week on Warner Brothers, debuted at the top spot at Twist & Shout for the week ending October 18 while the Monsters of Folk's self-titled debut and Emmitt-Nershi Band's New Country Blues grabbed the second and third slots. Bob Dylan's Christ ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of October 12, 2009

​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Over the Weekend: The Flaming Lips at Red Rocks

Jon Solomon​The Flaming Lips, Explosions in the Sky, Stardeath & White DwarfsRed Rocks AmphitheatreSunday, August 23, 2009Better than: The last time the Flaming Lips played Red RocksI know it's not the most manly thing to admit, but I was almost cried a few times during the Flaming Lips set la ... More >>

Over the Weekend: Booze, beats and bachelorettes

Letitia Salazar​ It was a busy weekend in Denver, with a fashion show on Thursday, Mos Def and Talib Kweli at the Bluebird on Friday, the Avett Brothers at the Ogden on Saturday, the Flaming Lips at Red Rocks on Sunday, and the grand opening of a new nightclub downtown. So if you're looking t ... More >>

Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse, Frank Black shows annouced

The Flaming Lips know all about putting on a hell of a show, and the Monolith Festival gig at Red Rocks in 2007 was one most phenomenal things to happen to that venue in the last few years. Lets hope for a repeat performance when the Lips return to Red Rocks Sunday, August 23 with Explosions in the ... More >>

Live From Mars

The Flaming Lips’ Christmas film hits the Boulder Theater screen.

Cloud Cult

Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18, Larimer Lounge, 303-291-1007.

45 Second Reviews: B-52s, De Novo Dahl, Fuck Buttons, Thee Silver Mr. Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-la-la Band

This Weekend: Monolith Festival @ Red Rocks, Saturday, September 15

Last Night: Blitzen Trapper, Smoosh and Aqueduct @ The Hi-Dive

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey

Wednesday, July 18, Quixote's True Blue, 303-297-1772.

Festival alert: Sasquatch! Monolith and Westword Music Showcase

Midlake

After a tour with the Flaming Lips and loads of hype, the only thing this quintet is missing is confidence.

Rock On, Write Off

This time of year is taxing, even for rock stars.

Flaming Lips

At War With the Mystics (Warner Bros.)

Freestyle Fellowship

Awesome live bands sometimes make magic in the studio, too.

Nobody

Thursday, September 8, Fox Theatre, Boulder, 303-443-3399.

Letters to the Editor

From the week of September 1, 2005

Various Artists

Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen (Hollywood)

The Delgados

Friday, October 29, Larimer Lounge, 303-291-1007.

Idiot's Delight

Music insiders pen The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting a Band.

Critic's Choice

Hackensaw Boys

Minty Fresh

The Starlight Mints want to be more than just that other band from Oklahoma.

Letters to the Editor

From the week of December 26, 2002

That's a Wrap-Up

Backbeat writers sound off on a few of their favorite musical things from 2002.

Hit Pick

Czars

The Flaming Lips

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (Warner Bros.)

HOLLYWOOD PUNKS OUT

LIPS SERVICE

THERE'S PLENTY OF FIRE IN THE FLAMING LIPS.