The Flaming Lips

The Flaming Lips started out in the 1980s creating an anarchic, punky din, but eventually the psychedelic influences that had always been a major element of the band's sound became more prevalent. In 1994, after significant lineup changes, the Oklahoma group scored a hit album with TRANSMISSIONS FROM THE SATELLITE HEART. By the turn of the decade, the Lips had mutated into a quirky but accessible outfit skilfully blending alt-rock with '60s psych-pop influences, and in 1999 reached a peak with the towering sonic statement THE SOFT BULLETIN. Their following album, YOSHIMI BATTLES PINK ROBOTS, furthered its predecessor's aesthetic and vaulted the Lips to even more recognition, giving them a rare artistic-freedom-equals-success story rivalled only by Radiohead.

• rock