As cosmically weird and blisteringly loud as The Flaming Lips can be, they are just as compelling as ethereal pop architects. This side of their sound has proven influential for artists as diverse as melancholic piano men Tobias Jesso Jr. and Joshua Radin; The Beta Band's Steve Mason, whose baroque pop consistently floats above the clouds; and indie-pop heroes like Death Cab for Cutie, who turn hard, bitter emotions into soft, melodic gems.