Radiohead - Amnesiac
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Free Music Notes for Amnesiac
Free Music Review: The best band in the world at their most beautiful
Hit: 5 Stars
Ed O'Brien has remarked of `Amnesiac' that it is akin to picking up a telephone and hearing a human voice, as opposed to the answering machine that was `Kid A'. Upon first listen however, `Amnesiac' seems as frustrating, perplexing and underdeveloped as `Kid A' did when we first heard it. But time has allowed us to realise how strong an album that was, and `Amnesiac' reveals itself to be what is possibly Radiohead's finest album after the multitude of listens your obsessive fan will inevitably give it. One rumour that has been wrongly perpreatrated is that `Amnesiac' somehow marks a return to the Radiohead of old, but this is not really the case. True, guitars, lyrics and melody figure much more heavily in this album than `Kid A', but the album also extends itself even further from convention on tracks such as `Like Spinning Plates'.The album opener is `Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box', which, typically obtuse title aside, is one of the more melodic songs Radiohead have given us recently. The clanging kettle drum sample that opens that song is reminiscent of `Idioteque', but once the retro drum machine and mellotron line comes in, the song becomes almost like a pop song, with (shock!) a chorus. The song is eventually buried in a melee of samples, and gives way to the icy hush of `Pyramid Song'. Those who have followed Radiohead closely over the last year will be familiar with this stilted and oddly beautiful piano ballad. Here it is given the backing of alien noises and a gorgeous, lush string arrangement, that combined with Phil's broken drum line is reminiscent of `Spirit of Eden' era Talk Talk given an apocalyptic intensity. Aphex style beatery returns in the form of `Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors', which has Thom rambling on the topic of doors in a helium voice over clattering, screechy, industrial beats and a massive bass. `You and Whose Army' starts off as a feeble strum, with a resigned and compressed Yorke vocal taunting authority. At two minutes the song explodes into a gospelly denouement with bluesy piano, double bass and full on drums bringing the song to a crunching climax. `I might be wrong' is another much played live song, although here its dirty riff is accompanied with stuttering, mechanical beats and lots of weird noises. The lyrics praise promiscuity and carefree abandon, but the music is so sinister that it all seems rather contradictory. Hopefully, this superb track will be relased as a single to show that Radiohead can do insiduously catachy pop as well as anyone else. `Knives Out' is one of the bleakest tracks on the album, with it's resolute minor key and lyrics about cannibalism. It is also the most straightforward and melodic song Radiohead have released since `The Bends' and makes use of all 3 (and sometimes 4 ) guitars. The Rickenbackers give it that authentic 60's feel, although here it all sounds like a bad trip, particularly with the mounting dissonant guitars at the end. `Morning Bell' is indeed the same song as in `Kid A', but here the 5/4 drums and Rhodes piano have been subsumed with dense layers of sound. This shorter, shuffly, more organic version brings out the more amnesia tinged themes of the song, and as such fits the song well on the album. `Dollars and Cents' is this album's `National Anthem' with the same mix of an insistent bassline (here much lighter and funkier in feel) and instrumental arrangement, with stabbing `Psycho' strings mimicking Thom's high, swooning vocal. Like `You and Whose Army', the subject matter is decidely political, and fits with the anti-capitalist image the band has seemingly adopted recently. The track is also notable for containing the best Phil Selway drumming ever, as he keeps up the cymbally, powerfully propulsive drum arrangement with drive. `Hunting Bears' is one of my favourite tracks on the album. An instrumental, it has been compared to `Treefingers' from Kid A, but where that was self indulgent and overlong, `Hunting Bears' is quietly moving. `Like Spinning Plates' is by far the most avant garde thing that Radiohead have ever released, and is also one of the most beautiful. It begins with what sounds like the scratching of turntables at lighting quick speed which continues throughout he whole song. The rhythm is provided by backwards, bassy keyboard sounds and is very catchy. After some random tapping of cymbals, Yorke's mystical, backwards vocals come in and then surprisingly sound the correct way round. Accompanied by a beautiful synth wash, he sings `This just feels like spinning plates' in a haunting falsetto, the effect being of total isolation and confusion. Radiohead leave their most shocking coup til last. `Life In A Glass House' is the much vaunted duet with veteran trumpeter Humphrey Lyttleton, and his presence on the track is immense. Like `Motion Picture Soundtrack' on `Kid A', this is an old acoustic ballad that has been radically overhaulled for the newly experimental sound of the band. It has that perfect end of album feel, with lazy vocals and drunken horns sloshing all over the track before powerfully pulling together in an emotionally charged `goodbye'. It is one of the most unique tracks on the album, and shows perfectly how much Radiohead have changed as to make this formerly conservative ballad almost unrecognisable and joyous.
`Amnesiac' is incomparable to Radiohead's other works, because, unlike `Kid A' or `OK Computer' it does not fit together as one whole 45 minute piece of music. Rather, these tracks can be enjoyed on their own in any order, and the album does have a much lighter tone than `Kid A'. They have learnt that they don't have to sacrifice level headedness and amazing songwriting for experimentalism to suceed. After a few listens, `Amnesiac' will stand out to anyone as Radiohead's most diverse and exciting album. Don't be surprised if it ends up the biggest.
Free Music Review: What Kind Of Radiohead Are You?
Hit: 5 Stars
Amnesiac, created during the same session times as Kid A. This isn't a B sides of Kid A though, this is a whole 'nother ball game. As the band describes it, Kid A is looking at the fire, Amnesiac is like being right in the middle of it. Amnesiac is their most daring CD where they experiment more with sound then they have done before. It's so crazy, that even the most die hard Radiohead fans might be put off. This album though contains some of the best Radiohead songs ever.
Packt Like Sardines In A Crushed Tin Box 4/5
In classic Radiohead form the first song has a slow start and an instant build up. A great way to open up the album. It's very upbeat and gets your head bobbing a little bit. This song does a great job of getting your feet dabbed into the water, it's more electronic noise then they normally do, but they use just enough that it doesn't totally shock you
Pyramid Song 5/5
This is probably the most traditional Radiohead song on the album. Very soft Piano and Vocals, ever so slight build up in total Radiohead fashion. It is interesting to find that the Piano and the Drums are the theme instruments in this song giving it a different kind of sound. Can almost garuntee taht no matter what you think of the rest of the album, you will at least like this one
Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors 3/5
WTF mates. This song sort of throws of your groove. In the mash of electronic sound are Thom's lyrics. They are so heavily distorted though it's extremely hard to tell what he is saying. I think the song by itself isn't bad at all, and the electronic noises send you into an almost trance, but it really stunts your flow in the CD. Probably my least favorite on the album
You And Whose Army? 5/5
Luckily this song gets you right back into the CD with Thom's voice slightly muffled almost like it's coming over a static Radio. Another classic Radiohead build up song combining once again the Piano and Drums. You would think using this combination again would eb repetative but Radiohead manages to get a totally different feel to this song. A great way to get you back into the CD after the halt of Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors
I Might Be Wrong 5/5
Is it? Can it be? IT'S A GUITAR! Basically no hint of Guitar on the CD until this. The whole song is based around this awesome guitar riff that gets you bobbing in your seat. It sort of mixes old Radiohead and New Radiohead together in just an awesome fusion. Hearing a guitar is a nice relief to the CD keeping you excited and not getting tired of the electronic beats
Knives Out 6/5
Amazing. Just an amazing song. The whole song almost feels like a climx. It's strange, but you just feel like you jumped in the middle of the song right when the high point of the build up comes, but instead, the whole song is the build up. This also has a very hypnotizing sound to it, but in a better way then Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors. So might think it's repetitive, but I love it
Morning Bell/Amnesiac 4/5
For those of you who have listened to Kid A know the classic Morning Bell. This is basically the Morning Bell lyrics, with a totally electronic beat in the background. Suprisingly it's not bad at all. I like the original more, but it's neat to hear a different take on their own song.
Dollars & Cents 5/5
This song is so strange. The instrument that really gives this song it's soul are the Violins. This is a great song to just totally spin your head around and give you a totally different sound then the rest of the album. I guess it's sort of similar to Knives Out in the sense that both feel like you jsut jump into the climax, but the violins give this a totally different vibe
Hunting Bears 4/5
This completely instrumental piece involving the guitar and electronic is very neat. This doesn't stop your flow through the CD quite as much as Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors, but it does give you a yellow light. It has a really cool lengthy guitar riff mixed with some interesting electronic sound. I think this is a much better instrumental piece then a previous Radiohead attempt, Treefingers
Like Spinning Plates 4/5
A very heavy electronic song that literally makes you feel like your spinning. It's so strange, but the constant reverse, forward thing they do gives it a very cool sound. This is basically the last time they use electronic noises on the CD, and is a great way to say good-bye to it almost in the album. And Of course, a great Radiohead build up
Life In A Glass House 7/5
This is my personal favorite Radiohead song of all time. This song will make you feel like you are in a 30's noir detective movie. The Jazz band, and Thom's dreary voice give an amazing sound to the CD. Radiohead loves making perfect ending songs, and this truly gets that feeling dead on. Any Radiohead fan will come to know and adore this song to death. It's so neat to them do something totally insane like this, sounding nothing like them at all. A truly great way to end a great album
Sp, my basic sum up is besides Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors ruining your starting flow into the CD, this is about as good as it gets folks. It takes a few times listening to it to totally get used to it, but I can almost garunttee you Radiohead fans out there will love it. Thanks for taking the time to read this if you did, and if you do buy it, enjoy listening from inside the Fire
Dakota
Free Music Review: The Best Radiohead Album!
Hit: 5 Stars
I am in the small minority of people who believe that Amnesiac is their best album.
'The Bends' was very consistent and enjoyable, but none of the songs were 'absolute masterpieces'
'OK Computer' was good - it DID have some absolute masterpieces, but also a couple of tracks that I do not like very much
'Kid A' is also very good, but songs such as 'The National Anthem', 'Treefingers', and 'Motion Picture Soundtrack' slightly let the album down.
Amnesiac is consistent, and features some of my all-time favourite songs.
"Packd like sardines crushd in a tin box" is this albums "Everything In It's Right Place" - it was composed on a drum n bass machine, and combined with the guitars and so on, the song is a mixed media and atmospheric and creative masterpiece. The lyrics are at an all-time weird and original as well, and this is one of the few electronic Radiohead songs on this album, as it is quite more acoustic than Kid A. definitely one of my top-5 Radiohead songs. "Pyramid Song" follows, and I am shocked how a track so unusual, with an even weirder time signature could hit #5 in the UK - this just shows how the band had developed a strong fan base with their past 3 albums especially. The song is dense and thick, and builds up into an amazing climax, which makes this song my favourite Radiohead song. Period. The piano is one of the 'main' instruments - it is very art/rock. "Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors" is another cool song, that is completely electronic, and I think this is one of the two songs Radiohead that have recorded that are completely electronic. I had a headache the first time I heard this song, but the reason why I like it so much now is because of its distinct originality. It is very alternative, and in my opinion the weirdest Radiohead song - ever. It is unlike anything I have ever heard and anything Radiohead have ever recorded for that matter. The song is extremely distorted - you can not understand the vocals, which raises the question of why there are no lyrics in the album booklet! Far more than half of time I can not understand wtf Thom Yorke is saying - the vocals are either distorted, or he is singing unclearly although it is usually a combination of both.
"You And Whose Army" is another of my favourites. The first two minutes or so are incredibly atmospheric, before this piano riff is heard, and the song builds up into a loud and accessible climax - which is why I like this song so much. The lyrics are at their most metaphorical. "I Might Be Wrong" is the first song that does not feature any electronica or piano. It is your 'classic' Radiohead rock song. It is quite catchy also it was stuck in my head for days - and still is. The song follows the distorted-vocals-unclear-lyrics trend, of all of the previous tracks. "Knives Out" was the second and last single, peaking at #13 in the UK. Another song that has no electronica or mixed media, but is not as good as any of the tracks so-far - it wouldn't have felt out of place on The Bends, and to a lesser extent OK Computer. "Morning Bell/Amnesiac" is my least favourite song. The original Kid A version is far better, and my favourite part (walking, walking, walking walking...) is cut!!! The things I enjoyed most about the original was the 7/8 time signature, unusual drum pattern, and my favourite part, as mentioned above, and all of these things are not seen in this song. The time signature is now something like 2/2, and this is kind of like a more relaxed and laid-back version of the original. It still isn't BAD though. "Dollars And Cents" returns to the quality of the first four tracks. The verses are very dark and mysterious, and the bridge quickly builds up to the fantastic chorus, and makes an excellent climax. This is another very unusual song, with violins and such, synths, and a 'cool' beat.
"Hunting Bears" is a short interlude, which features an electric guitar playing notes, and this is followed by the amazing "Like Spinning Plates", which is probably Radiohead's most inaccessible song that I have heard (I heard and read that the b-sides are much weirder by the way) and is quite minimalistic at points. The song starts, and you hear something that sounds like plates spinning. Soon after the texture dramatically thickens, and the song becomes much more darker and claustrophobic. Thom sounds like he is drunk and can hadrly piece two words together, and you first hear him after a two minute or so intro (the song goes for around four minutes I think - the lyrics are 'backwards' so to speak as well), and the song turns into a haunting, majestic and above all strange song. "Life In A Glasshouse" is a song just as good as the latter. It experiments with jazz in rock, and I hope that the band experiment with brass etc more in the future.
The average review is 4 stars, but what you just remember is that the album gorws on you. I must admit I was one of the people that thought the only good song was 'Pyramid Song' when I first listened to the album. As I gradually 'got to know' the other, I realized what a masterpiece this album actually is. It flows excellently, and as I said in the title, and the first paragraph, this is the bets Radiohead album. It is also the strangest, the most out-there and the most rewarding.
10 / 10
Free Music Review: info about the new Radiohead album
Hit: 5 Stars
I'll do a few things in this review. I'll give some facts about the album, go over the songs, and comment on the packaging (which is important on Radiohead albums and very important when it comes to the limited edition of this one).The historical background: When they released Kid A in Oct 2000, Radiohead said they had recorded more than 20 songs and they weren't kidding. It is very tempting to consider these 2 different albums and critics have already labelled Amnesiac as a sort of reaction to Kid A and a return to more conventional Radiohead. The truth is that Radiohead had all those songs recorded, took 10 tracks to make Kid A, and have chosen 11 more for Amnesiac. I happen to be a big fan of those sessions and argue that they produced Radiohead's best work to date. Don't expect Kid B or a regression from Kid A and it doesn't matter if you haven't heard Kid A.
The songs:
- 1. Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box It's got a drum machine and electronic effects, follows in the tradition of Radiohead openers, and is an excellent song. Note that when played live, it's a rocker.
- 2. Pyramid Song A good representative of this period in the band's career. You've probably heard this one since it's the first release.
- 3. Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors It's totally electronic with computerized vocals and very strange. It's a love or hate song.
- 4. You and Whose Army This one is Thom on crooning one of his best vocal performances while playing piano. It's just him and the bass until the rest of the band come in at the climactic and anthemic ending.
- 5. I Might Be Wrong This one is a riff based rocker. It's one of the more radio friendly tunes on the album and might be released as a single.
- 6. Knives Out This is another riff based song and note that it features all of the members playing their "original" instruments. It has drums, bass, and 3 guitars along with a great vocal. This one will be released as a single next in August.
- 7. Morning Bell/Amnesiac This is a reprise of Morning Bell from Kid A. Thom's vocals are haunting and drive the track. It's a great song in both versions but the original is played live.
- 8. Dollars and Cents A very spooky song that is based on a bass riff and enhanced by a wonderful orchestra. One of the more moody pieces where Thom shines.
- 9. Hunting Bears An instrumental that has only guitar with some background noise. The guitar is reminiscent of the vocal in I Might Be Wrong but not enough so to be considered a reprise. Note that it's pretty short (one of the better aspects).
- 10. Like Spinning Plates Completely electronic with distorted vocals. However, it's not as hit or miss as Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors. It is an excellent instrumental and the vocals add to this to make it one of the most intense and haunting songs. It's said to be a reversed version of another unreleased instrumental track and in my opinion, the best instrumental track they've done. It is more conventional in it's original unreleased form but it's great whether backwards or fowards.
- 11. Life in a Glass House Follows in Radiohead's tradition of emotional closers and features a jazz band. The song is very emotional and builds to a climactic end.
The sleeve: The artwork is very strange and is pretty much hit or miss. It features computer manipulation of photographs, paintings, and drawings. The booklet has no lyrics. A very important note is that the artwork in the album and in the limited edition book is the same (with a few subtle differences in cropping and two more images in the book). The difference is that the book a library card from "Nosuch Library" with dates in the future where it holds the cd. For this reason I advise against purchasing both. I thought the book was cool, but had I known the cd's artwork was practically identical I might not have bought both.
The band: I'll close by saying I give 5 stars because I am a fan of the band. They consistently make great music and I gave all of their albums 5 stars (after Pablo Honey which I gave 3). The thing I love about them is that they continue to move foward with their music and manage to keep their identity and artistic integrity. They knew they couldn't follow up Ok Computer with Ok Computer Part II. Instead of feeling pressure to follow up their masterpiece record they moved on to produce some of the most groundbreaking music in recent times (Kid A and Amnesiac). Note that Ok Computer was the same: It was not a follow-up to their previous masterpiece, The Bends. They have made a career of putting out records that are impossible to follow up, then changing and keeping the incredible quality of their music. Radiohead definitely deserve a lot of respect for making music on their own terms.
Free Music Review: Amnesiac? Not something to forget.
Hit: 5 Stars
I am a big Radiohead fan...a bigger fan of their latest more electronic driven work. I've been listening to these songs since the album first came out and I am still listening. I loved Kid A, it's one of my top 5 favorites and so is Amnesiac. This album is one of the few I can listen to and not skip any tracks. This is an album qute tricky to describe. For those who loved Kid A, would most likely like Amnesiac. Amnesiac seems like a darker version of Kid A...not quite the same, but similar in terms of the experimental feel. People who listen to Pop, R&B and rap the majority of the time, I would listen to clips before buying this because it may certainly not be your cup of tea. Old school Radiohead fans might be a bit dissapointed, but there are some songs on here that they would like. I'm not one to worship and fawn all over celebrities, but Radiohead has a talent that surpases not all, but many of their current industry peers. The artwork in the album is also similar to the one in Kid A.
Packt like sardines in... - The title alone is intriguing. This song starts out kind of subtle with a metallic type of beat and it spawns into something not to racous but there is a collection of instruments and thom singing. You can tell it's electronic based.
Pyramid song - Whoa...pay attention to the arrangement of music here. You start out with the piano, the vocals then it turns out to sound like some type of soundtrack music with a killer arrangement with strings at the end. I actually think this is one of the best songs on the album. Even if you aren't a Radiohead fan, you'll most likely like it. There is no electronic feel to this one. This is my second favorite song.
Pulk/pull revolving doors - I've seen a lot of reviewers say they don't like this song, whether or not the were a Radiohead fan. I like it! It starts with some choppy beats and a strange type of electronic drum n bass (but not quite) feel to it.
You and whose army? - A lot of people who liked the more old school Radiohead would like this. Nice music arrangement and vocal work.
I might be wrong - More old school Radiohead...not one of my favorites, but I will still listen to it because it is pleasant.
Knives out - Not too electronic-y...not too mellow...I think a lot of people will like it.
Amnesiac/Morning bell - This is one of the songs on this album that I think define the album. It's not just because of the title, but because it is so eerie sounding and dark and dreamish, and it fits with the artwork in the album. It is hard to explain but it is basically a new version of "Morning Bell" off of Kid A. You hear the strange vocals in the background. The lyrics are pretty much the same except they left the "walking walking" part out of it. The only thing that is the same of the two versions is the lyrics...the songs do not sound the same, or at least very little. My favorite on here.
Dollars & Cents - I like this chilled out mellow song. Not electronic sounding, relaxing and the music (just like always) works well together. Even though it doesn't have electronic genre qualities to it, it fits on this album for sure.
Hunting Bears - It's interesting to think why they called this track what they did. It's basically mainly a guitar driven song...and it's short. I would say it would be a favorite to very few because it's not really built into a developed song really. However, I still find it interesting to listen to.
Like Spinning Plates - I think my second/third favorite on the album. It's built on a backwards version of "I Will" (another radiohead song). The song reminds me of the Amnesiac Morning Bell because of the actual music. It sounds dark and a little creepy and I absolutely love it.
Life in a Glass House - This song is more jazzy. I don't really like it, but it works out fine because it's the end of the album and I don't have to listen to it.
I saw that some reviewers said it was the return of old Radiohead...I honestly don't think that is the case...and there will be some old school Radiohead fans that are going to be upset because they expected something else. I also hope no one said that Radiohead sold out because that couldn't be any more further than the truth. I tried to explain the genres of each song because a lot of people tend to gear to certain genres. I'm more of a rock and electronic listener, so it wouldn't help if I said "all of them are good!". Hope it helps.