Is The Soft Bulletin a good place to start with The Flaming Lips?

Yes, The Soft Bulletin is recommended as a starting point for new The Flaming Lips listeners. A kaleidoscopic blend of lush melodies and experimental soundscapes, inviting listeners into a dreamlike world of introspection. Released on May 17, 1999, The Soft Bulletin marked a significant turning point for The Flaming Lips as their sixth studio album. This record followed the band's earlier, more abrasive sound and showcased a newfound melodic sophistication and emotional depth that would define their subsequent work.

Who is The Soft Bulletin for?

The Soft Bulletin works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, atmospheric background focus and dynamic emotional journeys.

How many songs are on The Soft Bulletin?

The Soft Bulletin has 14 tracks, running approximately 58 minutes.

The Soft Bulletin

The Flaming Lips · 1999

58 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock

A kaleidoscopic blend of lush melodies and experimental soundscapes, inviting listeners into a dreamlike world of introspection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Race for the Prize Start here — This opening track features an anthemic chorus and complex orchestration, establishing the album's theme of existential struggle and collective experience.
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Waitin' for a Superman — With its poignant lyrics about vulnerability and hope, this song captures the emotional core of the album while showcasing the band's newfound melodic sensibility.
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Feeling Yourself Disintegrate — The slow build-up in this track culminates in a powerful exploration of existential dread, making it a standout example of the band's lyrical depth and sonic experimentation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

83 /100

Summit

Higher than 100% of albums we've rated

The Soft Bulletin combines innovative composition with rich production, creating a distinct and immersive listening experience.

What we noticed

The first five tracks build a cohesive narrative arc, blending lush instrumentation with introspective lyrics that create a dreamlike atmosphere.
Several tracks feature unconventional song structures, such as 'A Spoonful Weighs a Ton,' which shifts dynamics and textures throughout its duration.
The album employs a wide range of instruments, including strings and synthesizers, enhancing the layered soundscapes that characterize its overall aesthetic.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 8/10

Defined its genre or moment. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long, immersive listening sessions
atmospheric background focus
dynamic emotional journeys
introspective and reflective moods

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked the transition to mainstream acclaim for The Flaming Lips.
Themes: humanity's quest· fragile existence
Career context: Released on May 17, 1999, The Soft Bulletin marked a significant turning point for The Flaming Lips as their sixth studio album. This record followed the band's earlier, more abrasive sound and showcased a newfound melodic sophistication and emotional depth that would define their subsequent work.
Stylistic neighbors: Animal Collective· Tame Impala· MGMT