Is it ultra-ambitious, hubristic or just plain crazy to tackle a front-to-back cover version of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper? Possibly no one is better suited to the
task than The Flaming Lips—after all, they did it with Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. And while the project has the redoubtable stamp of frontman Wayne Coyne, right off the bat, the band avails itself of the unspoken rule of pure psychedelia, which is that no musical idea is ever too off-limits or outrageous to try at least once. So the title cut sparkles with odd electronics as it changes keys and tempos from verse to chorus, concluding with waves of noise and backward guitar feedback duly provided by members of My Morning Jacket and J Mascis. “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” stuns with guest singer Miley Cyrus (!), while Dr. Dog, Chuck Inglish and Morgan Delt drop a bouncy take of “Getting Better,” and Tegan and Sara strip “Lovely Rita” down to an 808 hip-hop beat and icy synth lines. In true Lips fashion, it’s a wonderful mess, and for a good cause to boot: All royalties benefit the Bella Foundation to help low-income pet owners in the band’s home base of Oklahoma City.