The Flaming Lips and Lightning Bolt

"I Wanna Get High But I Don't Want Brain Damage"

[Warner Bros.; 2011]

By Nicholas Preciado; August 8, 2011

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When I heard that The Flaming Lips and Lightning Bolt were collaborating on a few songs, I expected great things. Then I heard “I Wanna Get High But I Don’t Want Brain Damage.” You would think that combination of psychedelic and psychotic (“psycho-delic”?) would match the intense, bad-trip vibes usually heard from a band like Acid Mothers Temple. Sadly, this is not the case.

“I Wanna Get High But I Don’t Want Brain Damage” sounds like a watered-down version of both bands. Lightning Bolt’s Brian Chippendale, who’s known for his thunderous drumming, maintains a rhythm that doesn’t live up to his usual style. A simple, yet catchy bassline accompanies the drums. Screeching wails from the guitar resemble white noise. This is the pattern for the duration of the track, save for a few “calmer” moments. As far as the lyrical content of the track, Wayne Coyne repeats the title in a distorted, Cookie Monster grumble.

And that’s it. If there’s a deeper meaning to this song outside the reflection of the music on the title, I missed it. The two bands have released an EP of four songs, but after listening to “I Wanna Get High But I Don’t Want Brain Damage,” I have no desire to hear the others.