deadCenter: “Blastula” Review

This blog review recieves 3 1/2 out of 4 stars.

What a fitting title.

“Blastula” sounds like it has origins from another universe, which makes perfect sense for a Flaming Lips documentary. But in actuality, the short film’s name refers to the early stage of embryonic development in animals.

And this movie is full of creative beasts.

Set inside Lips multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd’s unsold home, a single camera peaks through bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms to capture the informal jam sessions the Lips made while crafting its latest album “Embryonic.”

The plot is simple. Lips members repeatedly say they have no idea what sort of album they are making, but they are definitely sure they are making something.

And we get a revealing look into the creative process of one of the most interesting bands making music today. The best moments in “Blastula” are the situations you’d rarely see musicians in. Frontman Wayne Coyne discusses how he pretended to know what he was doing while performing a nine-minute guitar solo and Drozd gives some youngsters a parental glare when they make noise during recording.

“Blastula” will stun your ears and eyes. Guaranteed.

-Poppe