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Member since:22.09.2002
Reviews:85
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Expectation was weighing quite heavy on the indiepop scales. Could Radiohead possibly build on their near faultless previous album 'OK Computer'. 'Kid A' is hard to define, its contours and directions are at times unwieldy and it lacks the tunes of its predecessors.
Radiohead’s decision not to release any singles off the album seems entirely sensible. 'The National Anthem', for example, is as uneven as a rolling hedgehog but its momentum does get you caught up in the moment. It resembles recent Blur forays in unknown lands but you'll never hum it on your way to the disco. That's the whole problem with 'Kid A', there are no standout tracks that rope you in and keep you interested during the less inspired moments.
There are big nods to Aphex Twin on 'Idioteque' and 'Kid A'. Appearing on an Aphex Twin album these tracks would surely create joyful wide-eyed reactions, but here this is simply not the case. A Yorke guest vocal is one thing but this sort of pastiche taking up space on a Radiohead album is not really logical.
But then, are we creating a pigeon hole for Radiohead that doesn't allow any sideways moves? Maybe it’s our reliance on Radiohead to be the leading lights in indies' stampede into popular culture that so disappoints. Anything below their consistent standards just isn't good enough.
There are a few very good moments. 'Morning Bell' is quite endearing but as it arrives at the death, hope for salvation has long since dripped away. Next springs offering will surely cheer up the mothers of the disappointed but in the meantime we'll continue to dissect what they've offered us. 'Kid A' could become the biggest grower of all time.
Is music supposed to be this challenging, isn't an accessible tune what it’s all about. Maybe we've misjudged albums before because we didn't give them the time they needed. Ah well, I suppose Radiohead should be afforded that luxury and by springtime the 'Kid A' experience could be a lot more enjoyable prompting us to hope that the new album is more of the same, alternatively we could be teaching it how to disappear completely.
Overall then, 'Kid A' is interesting, but sadly not compelling.
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Is music supposed to be this difficult?...yes! The tougher it is, the more rewarding it gets, and how can you deny the mad catchiness of the National Anthem riff?! But I know many people felt let down by this record -x-
Sean_lawston 30.11.2002 12:34
It seems as though you wrote this opinion a long time ago - eg, before Amnesiac, etc. What do you think of it now? Still, nice review. The album had a lot of growing to do with me, but it managed it.
indiegirl 29.11.2002 11:26
I've not heard this album, I seemed to wheedle away from the whinging Yorke man pretty quickly after OK Computer (no, I don't particularly like that either). Seems that they've not really returned to the days of Pablo Honey, when indiegirl actually liked them! One to miss for me, methinks ;-)
Radiohead may well be the most courageous band in Britain. Their second album, The Bends, ... more
was a success both critically and commercially, and they followed it up with an album of epic prog-rock, OK Computer, that would have destined a lesser band to co...
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Radiohead may well be the most courageous band in Britain. Their second album,The Bends, ... more
was a success both critically and commercially, and they followed it up with an album of epic prog-rock,OK Computer, that would have destined a lesser band to comm...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Radiohead may well be the most courageous band in Britain. Their second album, The Bends, ... more
was a success both critically and commercially, and they followed it up with an album of epic prog-rock, OK Computer, that would have destined a lesser band to co...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Radiohead may well be the most courageous band in Britain. Their second album, The Bends, ... more
was a success both critically and commercially, and they followed it up with an album of epic prog-rock, OK Computer, that would have destined a lesser band to co...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: It's almost completely different to every other Radiohead release Disadvantages: It's almost completely different to every other Radiohead release
kfingleton 13.12.2000 (25.04.2001)
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Review of Kid A - Radiohead
Nov 27th, 2002
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