Progress... but is it really an improvement
 Jun 10th, 2001
Advantages:
Forward - thinking and original
Disadvantages:
Too forward thinking for my liking !
Recommendable:
No
Detailed rating:
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  Dunc
About me:
I am a 17 year old student studying A-Levels in Physics, Maths, Computing and English Literature. I'...
Member since:20.04.2001
Reviews:28
Members who trust:8
Review rated by 10 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
Before I start, I should say that this is not a review of Amnesiac in particular, but is more about the progression in Radiohead's music from their earlier albums to their latest releases, Kid A and Amnesiac. Now that's out the way, I can begin! I recently watched Radiohead perform live on Jools Holland, which prompted me to write this opinion. They played a mixture of new and old material, and whilst I enjoyed listening to the songs from the new albums I felt that the older songs that Radiohead played totally overshadowed them.
I realise that many bands (such as Oasis) get caught in a trap after realising a couple of definitive albums, as Radiohead did. Should they carry on in their tried and trusted musical style and risk getting bogged down, or experiment with something new and risk losing fans. Radiohead and Oasis took different routes here: Oasis stuck largely to the same formula, but Radiohead tried something new. In my opinion, neither band has succeeded. Oasis are now, quite frankly, rather dull, although I am eager to hear their next album before I write them off completely. Radiohead, however, have taken such a different approach that they have alienated many of their fans (like me). I enjoyed their first two albums (Pablo Honey and The Bends) as meaningful rock music with a real heartfelt quality. OK Computer, Radiohead's third album, showed these qualities yet took the band down a slightly more alternative route. This ensured that they would be remembered as something special, not just another angst-ridden guitar band.
I pre-ordered Kid A, and was anxious to hear what could be another classic album like OK Computer or The Bends. However, I was very disappointed. Kid A took the alternative qualities of OK Computer to new heights, but left behind the sing-along musical ability of The Bends and OK Computer. This was a brave step from Radiohead and it has certainly avoided them being branded as stale, but I can't help thinking it was the wrong way to go. Critics, of course, embraced it as a forward-thinking and exciting record, branding it as the future of music. I certainly hope it isn't! Amnesiac was recorded at the same time as Kid A, and is in much the same vein. It seems slightly more accessible than its predecessor, and I'm sure it will grow on you the more you listen. I found this with Kid A, but it is still something of a struggle to bring myself to listen to it. I have listened to the first three Radiohead albums countless times, but Kid A has made its way right to the bottom of my CD pile. By all means try it, you may like it, but if you are expecting anything like the Radiohead of old then I would advise you to steer clear of Kid A and Amnesiac.
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03.07.2002 14:42
I have to disagree with you here - I hate Pablo Honey (as do, I think, the band themselves) and think that the latest two Radiohead albums are the greatest work of their career, exposing their fans to a whole new genre and opening my ears to amazing artists such as The Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada. The melodies may be hidden but are much more rewarding when you find them. I think most people would side with you on this though! -x-