The Flaming Lips Reveal Elaborate April Fools’ Day Prank

When it was announced a couple of days ago that The Flaming Lips had recorded a companion album to be played in concert with Pink Floyd’s legendary LP, The Dark Side of the Moon, the potential for an April Fools’ Day prank was apparent. But then again, it was The Flaming Lips, the band that releases records via jelly skulls and which did in fact record a cover of DSOTM in 2010 – not to overlook the fact that over 40 minutes of newly recorded music dubbed, Flaming Side of the Moon, was uploaded to SoundCloud.

Along with the above audio, the band stated:

THE FLAMING LIPS continue to explore the rich world of PINK FLOYD with their new digital release, FLAMING SIDE OF THE MOON. Designed as an immersive companion piece to the original 1973 album, DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, listeners are encouraged to listen to the new LIPS album while listening to DARK SIDE at the same time. FLAMING SIDE OF THE MOON was also carefully crafted to sync up perfectly with the 1939 film, THE WIZARD OF OZ. For ideal listening conditions, fans are encouraged to seek out the original Alan Parsons’ engineered quadraphonic LP mix of DARK SIDE, but it will work with the album on any format. Available now through all participating digital outlets. A limited edition 100 vinyl copies will be distributed to friends and family of THE FLAMING LIPS.

Today it was revealed that the band had in fact teamed with Funny or Die to orchestrate quite the elaborate ruse. As an April Fools’ Day gift, Funny or Die published four videos detailing the process of creating Flaming Side of The Moon:

The Flaming Lips Sell Out

Michael Bay’s ‘Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots’ Trailer

Fred Armisen Joins The Flaming Lips

Flaming Side of the Moon Studio Session

On top of the videos, which include appearances by Fred Armisen, Jon Daly and Lyndsy Fonseca, a fake New York Magazine Wayne Coyne cover and article was released as well as an advertisement for the fictional Flames & Lips cereal. Despite the fact that this was one hell of an April Fools’ Day prank, you can still queue up The Dark Side of The Moon and Flaming Side of The Moon AND The Wizard of Oz for a truly triple-synced experience.

[Andy Kahn is Senior Editor at MediaNet and runs the music industry and discovery website Editor’s Mix.]