Thanks to my roomate's purchase of Radiohead's new album, Amnesiac, and since I have had opportunity to listen to much of it, I may now tell you my applause.
The album is in some ways genius, and in two ways a disappointment. (for the record, this is merely a preliminary review. I have yet to really settle down with the album; I've listened to it only in parts, so true comments are still being formed.)
The ablum begins very strong;
track two: Pyramid Song is an emotionally captivating journey, underwater, to a land of peace-- what the Greeks would call ataraxia-- freedom from worry. One is mesmorized by the sublte, yet powerful vocals, perfectly inline with the sublime strings and organs; the drums at once resound in rhythmic utopia, bringing the listener into captivity.
Track four: You and Whose Army? is brilliant. One is reminded of OK's Exit Music for a Film. Just Thom's melancholy lyricized-harmony on top of simple piano, until the "moment" strikes when all things come together, apprehending the blessed listener into willful allegiance. Some of the words are: "Come on, come on
You think you drive me crazy
Come on, come on
You and whose army?
You and your cronies
Come on, come on
Holy Roman empire
Come on if you think
Come on if you think
You can take us on
You can take us on..."
Awesome!
Knives Out, probably the most radio-friendly track on the disc, is wonderfully orchestrated to bring happiness and delight when one sings along.
Morning Bell: Amnesiac is a new rendition of a song that appeared on Kid A. I like this version equally as much as the Kid A version; tis nice to hear a great song in a different light (this is something that not many bands do, and I wish there was more of it).
Dollars and Cents is another "must listen." Radiohead is unmatched in ability to take complex musical structures, and turn them into cohesive, masterful listening treasures.
Living in a Glass House closes out the disc in angelic fashion: you might want to hit repeat.So what was it that I found disappointing? Very simple. Two things. One: too short. Two: there are a few instrumentals that I find a bit superfluous to the whole. Other than that, Amnesiac is a great album for the Radiohead fan.
It must be stated as obvious by now, that Radiohead is not in the business of "pop" music. Not since OK have they released music that is very radio-friendly, but any fan will tell you that their music is only getting better and better, as the boys refine and mature their sound to their liking. Mark my words; there is a lot still to come from the Oxford boys with guitars: stick around.
Posted by jeremy stock at June 7, 2001 01:59 PM