Things might get weird with the Flaming Lips.

Here’s an idea so perfect that I’m amazed it’s taken this long to come to fruition: Starting tonight, “The Colbert Report” will start streaming full albums from its musical guests on its Web site, colbertnation.com.

The Flaming Lips’ new double album, “Embryonic,” will be available online immediately following tonight’s show (11:30 p.m., Comedy Central) and will stream until Monday. The album doesn’t hit stores until Oct. 13. Next month, the Mountain Goats will similarly preview their upcoming album, “The Life of the World to Come.”

This is such a great idea, it’s just a shame that “The Colbert Report” doesn’t have many musical guests. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been sent scrambling to iTunes in the wee hours of the morning looking for a song from a random band I just saw on Conan O’Brien. This kind of partnership makes a lot of sense for both the show and the band, and I hope it’ll catch on with other networks. OK, mega-acts like U2 or Coldplay would never agree to it, but it’d be a great opportunity for obscure or up-and-coming bands looking for a bigger audience.