Before we begin this review, I would like to announce that I have some good news as well as some bad news. First the good news: “Amnesiac” sees Radiohead delivering an album with a more commercially friendly sound than they did with “Kid A”. The bad news: still no sing-along choruses from Thom and co.
“Amnesiac” is the fifth studio album to be recorded by Radiohead, and comes less than twelve months after the release of their previous effort, “Kid A”. When “Kid A” hit the shelves it caused mixed reactions between the press and the fans. Certain music journalists and fans welcomed the new direction Radiohead had taken with their music, whereas others had expected them to return with “OK Computer” part II.
For the lucky people out there who have heard both “OK Computer” and “Kid A” and liked them, you should be glad to here that “Amnesiac’s” style and sound lies somewhere between these two albums. Certain tracks follow “Kid A’s” Kraftwerk (For you youngsters out there, Kraftwerk are a German group largely responsible for electronica music) style with loops and samples, whereas other song’s roots are more rooted in the “OK Computer’s” philosophy with guitars and the piano more to the fore. This album is supposedly recorded in the same sessions as the previous “Kid A” album, although
these tracks were not finished until a later date.
If you haven’t already got a copy of this album, then this is a description of what you get for your money. The album cover and booklet follow Radiohead’s normal style as it is filled with their scribblings and thoughts. The album itself is reasonably short, its eleven tracks lasting just under 44 minutes.
“Amnesiac” opens with the oddly titled “Packt like Sardines in a crushd tin box”. This track starts the album off exactly where “Kid A” finished. It sounds fairly similar to “Kid A’s” “Idioteque” track with its strong electronic baseline, beats and chopped-up guitar riffs. Its lyrics are I believe a thinly veiled attack at the press who complained about the band’s peculiarities, with Thom telling them to “Get off my case….”
“Pyramid Song” is next and has been released as a single. This caused quite a shock as I was channel hopping the other night and caught Radiohead “performing” this on TOTP!!!! Radiohead on TOTP? I don’t believe it! Perhaps the last time you see them on the same bill as S Club 7…
Anyway getting back to this track, the song is dominated by Thom’s vocals and his slow, moody piano playing. The haunting string section and subdued drums give this track an eerie feeling. For me it is one of the highlights of the album.
Slade style song-spelling returns again now with “Pulk/Pull revolving doors”. Not a lot to be said about this song as its sound is very minimalist, giving away its obvious influences from “Aphex Twin” and the “Warp” records label. It’s supposed to grow on you – but I doubt it will, I really think it is too bizarre.
Thankfully this track is followed by the absolutely fantastic “You And Whose Army?” the track sounds as though it belongs on “OK Computer”. It is very reminiscent of this album’s track “Karma Police” with the opening again taken Thom’s singing of “Come On…” accompanied by a subtly played piano. The song has a distinctive underlying feel of a jazz influence due to piano and double bass.
“I Might Be Wrong” is the title of the next song and for me is the highlight of the album. The song opens with a cracking blues-style guitar riff, which is soon backed by a simple drum rhythm. This forms the backbone of the track over which Thom sings falsetto. Absolutely brilliant – must be heard, so hopefully it will be the next single.
“Knives Out” sees Radiohead returning to their roots as this track is very reminiscent of their earlier “The Bends” work. No electronic wizardry is used on this track, just a couple of guitars, bass and a drum kit.
“Amnesiac/Morning Bell” sees the music starting to display it’s “Kid A” influence. Although the piano and an acoustic guitar take the lead on this track, the backing is pure electronica. If you own a copy of “Kid A” then you should find that track nine is also called “Morning Bell”. The “Kid A” track lacks the piano and acoustic guitar – relying more on drum loops and keyboards. Everyone with have their own preference – but I prefer the version present on “Kid A”.
“Dollars And Cents” opens with a slow drum rumbling drum beat over which an orchestra plays sporadically to accompany the singing. It’s the type of music, which would accompany the high-tension scenes in movie. At first listen it is a fairly strange mix but it works really well
“Hunting Bears” which follows is by all accounts disappointing. It’s two minutes of the same chords on an electric guitar being played sporadically. This album would have been better if this track had been consigned to the bin.
“Like Spinning Plates” is slap-bang back in “Kid A” experimentalism territory. Guitars and piano have given way to reverb and special effects. The song is a bit of a novelty as Thom sang the lyrics literally backwards – before being played backwards so we here them the right way around. Unfortunately for me it falls in the same category as the last song as I cannot see the point.
“Life In A Glass House” closes the album a heavily jazz influenced song. Radiohead playing jazz? It may sound totally bizarre but they accomplish it very well with the help of Humphrey Lyttelton on the trumpet.
For me this is Radiohead’s best offering since the sublime “OK Computer” album. Although there are a few weak tracks present this album will probably be one the best released this year. Some people will complain it is still too experimental and that they should return to writing songs similar to those on “The Bends” and “OK Computer”. These albums were always going to be a tough act to follow but I believe they have done it pretty well.
“Amnesiac” may lack a track with a damn good chorus – but it doesn’t need one as Radiohead have already given us “Creep”
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Is it really that good wow, never got into the 'concept' era of radiohead which was kid A and amnesiac, ok computer and th bends were phenomenal i love them and i could get this an kid A for 4.50 new at hmv so i may give it a go, great review man very thorough
mozip78 11.09.2003 16:05
A wonderful review, I would have to agree with most of your points, although I wouldn't try to compare with their previous albums, they've moved from indie rock, into more Jazz territory they continue to evolve into something much more interesting.
james.bridgeman 13.06.2002 17:17
Spot on, apart from Spinning Plates, which really grows on you I reckon, give it another chance. My fave would have to be "You and whose army?": such an unexpected progression half way through. Loved Ok Computer (see op), but this is almost as good.. Cheers, JB
Though the songs onAmnesiacwere recorded at the same time as those on its predecessor,Kid ... more
A, the gap between the releases of the pair suggests a determination on Radiohead's part that the two should not be perceived as halves of the same whole. However...
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Though the songs on Amnesiac were recorded at the same time as those on its predecessor, ... more
Kid A, the gap between the releases of the pair suggests a determination on Radiohead's part that the two should not be perceived as halves of the same whole. Howe...
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Though the songs on Amnesiac were recorded at the same time as those on its predecessor, ... more
Kid A, the gap between the releases of the pair suggests a determination on Radiohead's part that the two should not be perceived as halves of the same whole. Howe...
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Advantages: It's great! It's mad! It even has a couple of guitars on it... Disadvantages: Should have featured Humph and the band playing Mornington Crescent!
Dick_Dangerous 13.06.2002 (13.06.2002)
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