The Flaming Lips have announced a massive 20th anniversary reissue of At War With the Mystics, and it comes with a mountain of bonus material. The 2006 album, a follow-up to Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, will be released as a six-disc set on November 13, featuring two live albums and more than 30 previously unreleased tracks.
The deluxe edition spans 6xLP or 6xCD configurations, packed with demos, B-sides, shelved songs, and soundtrack contributions from the period. Completing the set are the 2006 live albums U.F.O.s at the Zoo and Live at the Hollywood Bowl. The band is also still active this year following the exit of Steve Drozd, a multi-instrumentalist, co-songwriter, and core member since 1991.
The Album That Followed Yoshimi
At War With the Mystics arrived four years after Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, the record that put the band on the map commercially. At the time, it was rumored to mark a return to the guitar-led sound of their psych-pop origins. The new reissue collects the original album plus the bonus material, giving fans a complete picture of the era.
The original tracklist runs 17 songs deep, from “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (With All Your Power)” through “Time Travel… Yes!!”. The reissue adds dozens of extras, including demos, alternate versions, and live recordings.
The Bonus Tracks
The bonus material is where the reissue earns its six-disc count. More than 30 of the tracks have never been released before. Among them is “The Sound of Failure [2 Demos],” which is available to listen now.
The demos include multiple takes of key tracks:
- “Free Radicals (A Hallucination of the Christmas Skeleton Pleading With a Suicide Bomber)” has two early demos and a 4-track demo
- “Vein of Stars” appears as a “Cruel World” demo and a 4-track demo
- “Mr. Ambulance Driver” has four demos
- “The W.A.N.D. (The Will Always Negates Defeat)” has two instrumental demos and an early demo
- “It Overtakes Me” and “The Stars Are So Big… I Am So Small… Do I Stand a Chance?” each appear as demos
The reissue also includes alternate mixes, radio sessions, and remixes. The Goldfrapp version of “It Overtakes Me” is among the additions.
The Live Albums
The two live records round out the package. U.F.O.s at the Zoo captures a legendary concert in Oklahoma City, with tracks including “Free Radicals,” “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1,” and “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 2.”
The second live album, Live at the Hollywood Bowl, is also included in the set.
The Exit of Steve Drozd
Drozd’s departure from the band has been a defining moment for the group this year. He is credited as a multi-instrumentalist, co-songwriter, and core member since 1991, and his contributions ran deep across the band’s catalog.
Drozd has attributed his exit to a decision to stop touring.
The Tracklist
The full tracklist is extensive. The original album runs 17 songs deep, from “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (With All Your Power)” through “Time Travel… Yes!!”.
The bonus material adds dozens of tracks beyond that, including demos, alternate versions, live recordings, and remixes.
A Comparison of the Two Live Albums
| Album | Year | Location |
|---|---|---|
| U.F.O.s at the Zoo | 2006 | Oklahoma City |
| Live at the Hollywood Bowl | 2006 | Hollywood |
Both albums capture the band performing material from At War With the Mystics and earlier work. The Oklahoma City show includes tracks like “Free Radicals” and the Yoshimi pair, while the Hollywood Bowl performance rounds out the set.
What Fans Get
For longtime fans, the reissue is a chance to hear material that has been locked away for two decades. For newcomers, it offers a comprehensive introduction to the band’s catalog.
The demos in particular are worth noting. They show the songs in their earliest forms.
A Delightful Addition
This is a generous package. The inclusion of more than 30 previously unreleased tracks, plus the two live albums, makes the reissue a substantial addition to the band’s recorded legacy.
The fact that so much material remains unheard is notable.
The Flaming Lips have done it again.
Source material: “The Flaming Lips’ At War With the Mystics Reissue to Feature Dozens of Rarities,” Pitchfork.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.