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Description
**Onboard The International Space Station: Concert For Peace** by The Flaming Lips is a conceptual live album recorded in 2017 during a broadcast from the International Space Station-a stunt that transcends typical studio experimentation. Conceived as part of Warner Bros.' Record Store Day 2017 promotional event, the album captures the band performing in microgravity, blending their signature psych-rock, electronic textures, and avant-garde tendencies into a singular, almost surreal sonic document. Produced and recorded by Michael Mayer, a key collaborator in their earlier catalog, the project leans into the band's penchant for genre fluidity, merging alternative rock, jazz, and leftfield electronics into a soundscape that feels equally out of time and space.
Critically, the album was celebrated for its ambition, with reviewers noting how the ISS backdrop transformed the band's usual maximalism into something introspective yet celebratory. Though not a charting contender, its niche appeal solidified among collectors and fans who value experimental live recordings. Notably, the collector's edition includes new track-by-track liner notes by headliner Wayne Coyne and bandmates, further emphasizing its rarity. The collaboration with Head Fwends underscores the band's habit of weaving in unexpected allies, while the album's seven-track runtime reflects a curated, intimate experience rather than a full live set.
Little-known details surface in the liner notes, including the involvement of astronauts in the setup-a logistical feat that likely added technical challenges to the performance. The vinyl release, marked as a Record Store Day "RSD First" item, positions it as a limited-run artifact, underscoring its collectibility. While not essential for the average listener, this project remains a curiosity in The Flaming Lips' discography, capturing their willingness to turn performance into spectacle even in the most unconventional settings. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to merge their signature theatricality with an otherworldly context, making it a must-have for those who appreciate the intersection of art, science, and rock's more esoteric tendencies.
Sources: [Discogs Entry](https://www.discogs.com/master/1169010-The-Flaming-Lips-Onboard-The-International-Space-Station-Concert-For-Peace), [Record Store Day Promotional Event](https://recordstoreday.com/PromotionalEvent/554).
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