I've only listened to Yoshimi.
But I have Soft Bulletin, just haven't listened to it yet.

So I'll tell you which one is my favorite after listening to those two.

When I was considerably younger I tried listening to The Flaming Lips, since I had heard of them by word of without having any knowledge of what they were "like", but found the music too "weird". The album I bought, listened to, disliked and subsequently lost was "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots". I can't for the life of me remember what it sounded like, but I remember not being taken in by it.

I'm sure I would like the band now since my tastes have changed quite radically (thankfully). Should I give "Yoshimi" another try or should I begin again from another point in the band's career?

Also, I have heard the latest Animal Collective album, Merriweather Post Pavillion, which I adore, being compared to the work of The Flaming Lips. Is this a fair comparison? From what I can gather, both MPP and TFL are "crazy psychelic" and "upbeat".

i guess they are similar. but yes give Yoshimi another spin, it is great.

The Soft Bulletin and Clouds Taste Metallic are tied in my book.

The Soft Bulletin :)

Clouds Taste Metallic or TFASH.

I've been a fan of theirs since their debut and I've seen them in concert many times.

My favorite overall record is The Soft Bulletin but my favorite song is Halloween on the Barbary Coast on Hit to Death in the Future Head.

The Soft Bulletin.

A tie between Yoshimi and The Soft Bulletin.