This *IS* a good record. And yet-- the circumstances around it are pretty
strange. See, Before Kid A and OK Computer -- Radiohead was pretty much
your average rock band with your average rock audience. Now that they've
turned to trying artistic things with their music, music fans like myself
have jumped on board. However, the old rock audience still remains. And
for some people, this record is the greatest thing they've ever heard.
Well, yes-- it *IS* if all you've been listening to is mindless MTV rock for
the past 5 years. The record has gotten universal attention due to their
wide fan base-- but its also been universally misunderstood. Its not some
divine gift to earth-- its a damn good record that places Radiohead among a
long list of people that have turned their backs on mainstream music to
persue artistic endeavors. Sometimes great legions of people follow them,
sometimes they turn away. No more "Creep" for Radiohead. period.
Its a really good exercise to listen to both "Kid A" and "OK Computer"
together. I feel that, though both are very strong, I end up liking "Kid A"
better due to the focus that is placed on the musicality. The lyriscs of
Kid A are minimalistic at best-- whereas OK Computer was a word-based album.
Kid A seems to let Radiohead finally break free of their roots as a modern
rock band, and let them see what they can really do.
As for the comment about being "too out there"-- I say bring it on! Take an
album like Tori Amos' "Boys for Pele." IMHO, this is one of the greatest
albums ever done. And yet-- its unlike anything else that has ever been
done-- even by Tori. Kid A is similar to Boys for Pele-- but I think that
it could still go a step further. I think we've got some really great
things to hear from Thom Yorke in teh future.
eric
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
<< NP: Radiohead, Kid A -- ahhhhhhhh! >>
Boy, is this a great record or what!?! I bought it a couple weeks ago and
can't seem to stop playing it. Overall, it's unlike anything I've heard
before, even though pockets of it do remind me of other things.
I was afraid after reading the reviews that the band had gone off the deep
end and made it very inaccessible, but it's actually one of the easiest
things to listen to I've heard all year. Parts of it remind me of the things
I used to hear on NPR's "Space Music" show, other songs remind me a lot of
Smashing Pumpkins "Adore" in their powerful beauty. The only other albums
that have affected me this way with their overall texture are Hejira and
"So"
by Peter Gabriel.
The rhythm section in particular...how in the world to they know what to
play? The songs are simultaneously structured and unstructured, certainly
not
given to simple drum beats, yet all the music is so flawlessly executed.
Radiohead is truly redefining the boundaries of popular music. I hope Joni
has heard this, I feel like she'd enjoy it.
The whole record sounds like a soundtrack to a dream to me...it would be a
great record to count ballots by! ;~)
Bob
NP: Joe Slomp, "Living Proof"
