Radiohead

Editor's Review:

Barely a year after Radiohead dropped their slightly controversial and amazing, yet overrated opus, Kid A, the boys are back with Amnesiac, recorded at the same time as the previous release, and judging by several revisited themes, the new title might imply they've forgotten what they did on Kid A. That is not to say, however, that this record could be aptly described as Kid B — that it is a repeat performance of the last record — and it wouldn't really be fair to expect a band like Radiohead to change styles drastically from record to record. Sure, these last two releases have been a bit light on the crunchy pop tip, but that's both the curse and the benefit of evolution — things rarely stay the same.
But to quote an old saying, you go with what works, and it seems as though Radiohead feel they've struck a chord with their latest forays into grander composition and more involved production. Amnesiac sees a return of things like cavernous 808 blended with deep-toned choir bells for an anchoring effect that also reaches out to add mood ("Packt Like Sardines In a Crushd Tin Box"). The programmed drum tracks and breakdowns into electronic musical outer space ("Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors"; "Like Spinning Plates") also delineate the overall tone, but leave room for the requisite somber, piano- and string-laden pop tunes ("You and Whose Army?"; "Dollars & Cents") and harder, darker and more up-tempo numbers that ring with an anthemic gait and snappy, minimal hooks ("I Might Be Wrong"). All of it is tied together by Thom Yorke's strangely compelling, multi-leveled croon, and all of it is great stuff. Sound familiar?

– Max Sidman


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Record Label Capitol Records Released June 2001

Tracks Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box Pyramid Song Pulk/Pull Revolving Door You and Whose Army? I Might Be Wrong Knives Out Morning Bell / Amnesiac Dollars & Cents Hunting bears Like Spinning Plates Life In A Glass House

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