Scratching the Door: The First Recordings of the Flaming Lips

Scratching the Door: The First Recordings of the Flaming Lips
Compilation album by The Flaming Lips
Released	April 20, 2018
Recorded	1983–1984
Genre	Alternative rock ; experimental rock ; noise rock ;
Length	73:46
Label	Warner Bros. Records
The Flaming Lips chronology

Last updated March 06, 2021

Scratching the Door: The First Recordings of the Flaming Lips is a rarities album of the very first recordings made by the American experimental rock group The Flaming Lips, including their self-titled EP and the demos for the band's first album, Hear It Is .

Release

On February 28, 2018, the release of this album and another compilation, Seeing the Unseeable: The Complete Studio Recordings of the Flaming Lips 1986-1990 was announced.^[1]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[2]
Under the Radar	^[3]

AllMusic's Heather Phares stated that it "is an entertaining reminder of just how much the band changed over the years", concluding that it's "a suitably gonzo document of the early days of one of indie's most idiosyncratic yet definitive acts".^[2] Under the Radar's Frank Valish proclaimed "What is surprising, listening to these recordings 30-some years later, is how well they stand up in light of the band's more lauded work", concluding "But ultimately, Scratching the Door is more than mere historical document. It's a still vital collection and reminder that The Flaming Lips didn't begin with The Soft Bulletin or even "She Don't Use Jelly". They were exciting from the start".^[3]

Track listing

All tracks written by The Flaming Lips unless otherwise noted. Track listing and credits partially adapted from liner notes.^[2]

Self-titled EP
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Bag Full of Thoughts"	5:40
2.	"Out for a Walk"	3:14
3.	"Garden of Eyes"	1:56
4.	"Forever Is a Long Time"	3:19
5.	"Scratching the Door"	7:09
6.	"My Own Planet"	4:11

1st Cassette Demo
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
7.	"Killer on the Radio"		2:58
8.	"Batman Theme"	Hefti	1:47
9.	"Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere"	Daltrey/Townshend	2:32
10.	"Handsome Johnny"	Havens/Gossett, Jr.	2:56

2nd Cassette Demo
No.	Title	Length
11.	"Flaming Lips Theme Song"	3:53
12.	"The Future Is Gone"	3:22
13.	"Underground Pharmacist"	4:48
14.	"Real Fast Words"	3:15

*Hear It Is* Demos
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
15.	"Groove Room"		6:07
16.	"Jesus Shooting Heroin"		7:05
17.	"Trains, Brains & Rain"		4:18
18.	"Communication Breakdown"	Page/Jones/Bonham	3:44

*Hear It Is* Session Outtake
No.	Title	Length
19.	"Summertime Blues"	2:29
Total length:		73:46

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References

↑ Blais-Billie, Braudie (February 16, 2018). "The Flaming Lips Reissuing Their First Recordings". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
1 2 3 Phares, Heather. "Scratching the Door: The First Recordings of the Flaming Lips- The Flaming Lips". AllMusic. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
1 2 Valish, Frank. "The Flaming Lips Scratching the Door: The First Recordings of The Flaming Lips". Under The Radar. Retrieved October 16, 2018.

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[Pitchfork-1] Blais-Billie, Braudie (February 16, 2018). "The Flaming Lips Reissuing Their First Recordings". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 16, 2018.

[allmusic-2] 1 2 3 Phares, Heather. "Scratching the Door: The First Recordings of the Flaming Lips- The Flaming Lips". AllMusic. Retrieved September 4, 2018.

[radar-3] 1 2 Valish, Frank. "The Flaming Lips Scratching the Door: The First Recordings of The Flaming Lips". Under The Radar. Retrieved October 16, 2018.

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