Zaireeka cover

Zaireeka

The Flaming Lips · 1997

182 min · 32 tracks · alternative rock · space rock

An experimental tapestry of sound that invites listeners to engage with music in an unconventional, immersive way.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • immersive sound exploration experience
  • dynamic journey with peaks
  • headphone detail hunting required
  • wave-like pacing for patience

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer concise standalone tracks
  • seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Experimental — Explores unconventional sound with a unique multi-disc format, diverging from typical album structure.
Themes
dystopian futures· immersive soundscapes· avant-garde experimentation
Career context
Released on October 28, 1997, 'Zaireeka' was a pivotal moment for The Flaming Lips, arriving after their breakthrough album 'The Soft Bulletin.' This release explored the concept of multi-disc listening experiences, challenging conventional formats and emphasizing the band's artistic experimentation as they transitioned from cult favorites to mainstream innovators.
Stylistic neighbors
Animal Collective· Tame Impala· MGMT
If this clicks, go next to
The Soft Bulletin — Continues the experimental sound with lush arrangements and emotional depth.
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Kid A by Radiohead — Explores experimental soundscapes and dystopian themes, inviting immersive listening experiences.
Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth — Shares avant-garde experimentation with layered sounds and a post-industrial atmosphere.
Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective — Features lush, immersive sound textures and a playful approach to structure and melody.

Tracklist

New here? Start with "Okay I’ll Admit That I Really Don’t Understand".

Disc 1

  • 1 Okay I’ll Admit That I Really Don’t Understand Start here 2:51
  • 2 Riding to Work in the Year 2025 (Your Invisible Now) 7:02
  • 3 Thirty‐Five Thousand Feet of Despair 4:58
  • 4 A Machine in India 10:23
  • 5 The Train Runs Over the Camel but Is Derailed by the Gnat 6:13
  • 6 How Will We Know? (Futuristic Crashendos) 2:23
  • 7 March of the Rotten Vegetables 6:27
  • 8 The Big Ol’ Bug Is the New Baby Now 5:05

Disc 2

  • 1 Okay I’ll Admit That I Really Don’t Understand Start here 2:51
  • 2 Riding to Work in the Year 2025 (Your Invisible Now) 7:02
  • 3 Thirty‐Five Thousand Feet of Despair 4:58
  • 4 A Machine in India 10:23
  • 5 The Train Runs Over the Camel but Is Derailed by the Gnat 6:13
  • 6 How Will We Know? (Futuristic Crashendos) 2:23
  • 7 March of the Rotten Vegetables 6:27
  • 8 The Big Ol’ Bug Is the New Baby Now 5:10

Disc 3

  • 1 Okay I’ll Admit That I Really Don’t Understand Start here 2:51
  • 2 Riding to Work in the Year 2025 (Your Invisible Now) 7:02
  • 3 Thirty‐Five Thousand Feet of Despair 4:58
  • 4 A Machine in India 10:23
  • 5 The Train Runs Over the Camel but Is Derailed by the Gnat 6:13
  • 6 How Will We Know? (Futuristic Crashendos) 2:23
  • 7 March of the Rotten Vegetables 6:27
  • 8 The Big Ol’ Bug Is the New Baby Now 5:11

Disc 4

  • 1 Okay I’ll Admit That I Really Don’t Understand Start here 2:51
  • 2 Riding to Work in the Year 2025 (Your Invisible Now) 7:02
  • 3 Thirty‐Five Thousand Feet of Despair 4:58
  • 4 A Machine in India 10:23
  • 5 The Train Runs Over the Camel but Is Derailed by the Gnat 6:13
  • 6 How Will We Know? (Futuristic Crashendos) 2:23
  • 7 March of the Rotten Vegetables 6:27
  • 8 The Big Ol’ Bug Is the New Baby Now 5:10

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata