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Memories…this retrospective look back at the formation and final breakthrough of The Flaming Lips, described by one of the band members as “hillbillies” crossed with The Who. This movie uses home movies, home video and current footage of the band to go back into the past and see the formation of one of America’s most important rock bands around. Coyne describes his band early on as a loud band without much talent (oh, not true Wayne perhaps inexperienced) in the beginning of their career, The Flaming Lips went from cult favorite to critical favorite and while not in the top ten (who is today except historic singers) they’ve found a niche in rock music that they work exceedingly well in. Coyne at 41 with a touch of gray proves that there are second acts in American lives…or perhaps first acts with a late curtain. We alsoget a glimpse behind The Flaming Lips science fiction movie a bizarre, unscripted film like only The Flaming Lips could make involving an insane Santa Claus, a giant bunny and Wayne Coyne as a super powered alien. ---

We get a whole bunch of very cool live performance footage of the band (some of it with distorted sound), deleted scenes including behind-the-scenes footage of the band warming up for “Austin City Limits”. There’s also footage of Wayne as Santa and some truly strange stuff that was cut out of the film including footage shot for one of the band’s first recording sessions. There’s a photo gallery that looks like a trip through my childhood (bell bottoms, long hair, goofy afros, punk hair cuts although I’ll never confess to any of those and I’ve burned MY photos like that) clearly the band and I share a bond that goes beyond simple music. Perhaps it’s my simpleton attitude but, more than likely, it’s an appreciation for Coyne and his band pushing the limits of music wherever possible.