"We're aliens from outer space," boasts Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne on their newest release, a live DVD performance titled "U.F.O.s At the Zoo. "

And it's easy to believe.

After all, The Flaming Lips make a triumphantly psychedelic return to their home in Oklahoma City via spaceship, a U.F.O. which Coyne allegedly constructed in his backyard.

And if any skepticism regarding their extraterrestrial status remains at this point, then just a glimpse of their live DVD performance — a first for the band — will make anyone a believer. "U.F.O.s At the Zoo" — a gigantic "thank you" to the Lips' loyal fan base — is a testament to the otherworldliness, absurdity and downright fun of their live act.

In addition to delivering the band's delightfully silly performances, "U.FO.s At the Zoo" also serves as a MVI (Music Video Interactive), allowing fans to download ringtones, remix favorite Flaming Lips' songs and import AIM icons and desktop backgrounds. But before fans can enjoy these special features, they must register online, making this bonus a slight hassle. Remixing those popular Lips tunes is an entertaining option, but the wait for the thumbnail AIM icon download is unnecessary and frustrating. Further, loyal fans may feel betrayed when forced to pay for a new Lips ringtone. Maybe other Lips fans have more friends than this reviewer, butit seems trivial to pay for a 30-second song clip to play on a cell phone one or two times a day.

Let's not get distracted. After all, it's all about the music… and the spaceships… and scantily clad aliens. As far as the performance goes, the Lips deliver nothing short of outstanding. The balloons and confetti fly, the fake blood is abundant and Coyne even manages to crowd surf from inside an inflatable plastic balloon. The set list is great, including favorites from all over the band's library. New listeners won't help but smile and sing along to the anthemic "Yeah Yeah Yeah Song," while "She Don't Use Jelly" and "Race for the Prize" delve further back into their repertoire, satisfying older fans. Admittedly, Coyne's voice just isn't the same when he's running around the stage shooting off a smoke and confetti gun like a child on a sugar high. Regardless, the performance certainly doesn't disappoint whether viewed on a living room television or with a laptop on an airplane.

Unfortunately, a live Flaming Lips' show just isn't the same unless it's actually seen, well, live. One fan interviewed on the DVD while waiting for concert gates to open confessed that a Flaming Lips show is nothing short of a spiritual encounter with enormous potential for emotional healing in times of pain and hardship. It's fair to say that no DVD could ever truly capture a performance of that magnitude.

"U.F.O.s At the Zoo" is a great addition to any fan's collection, but it's nothing more than a souvenir. Instead, go and see the Lips live, revel in the fake blood, the spaceship and the naked aliens. Personally, I would rather close my eyes and listen to The Soft Bulletin than watch this show more than once or twice.

3 stars out of 5