Radiohead - Kid A
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.24 You Save: $7.70 (64%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.00 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Kid A
Free Music Review: These guys are genuises - period.
Hit: 5 Stars
Like many of the reviewers, I decided to give myself a set period of adjustment time before commiting my review to posterity. This, I feel, is necessary when you're dealing with arguably the best and most artistically innovative band since The Beatles. KID A is many things....at first alienating and inpenetrable but ultimately a source of immense satisfaction and well, well worth the effort of getting into. KID A is easily the best album of 2000 and a logical progression from 1997's OK COMPUTER, itself a miracle of music-making. Since their first album PABLO HONEY, back in 1993, Radiohead have (again, not unlike The Beatles) progressed in leaps and bounds from project to project, but you can always see where they left off from. 1995's THE BENDS has distinct echoes of their debut while setting the scene for OK COMPUTER, a mildly-techno, but largely guitar-oriented aesthetic masterpiece, which leads us now to the clinically-digitized, yet emotionally-charged KID A. If this evolution comes as a surprise to some, well...it shouldn't. I bought this on the day of release and realized within a few minutes into it, the sonically-dense KID A would not be an easy listen. But like most classic (and truly artistic) albums, its supernatural powers (once revealed) were overpowering. Simply put, KID A is a cathartic listening experience and forces you to confront the despair and meloncholy in us all. Well...that's what it did for me. What of the songs? Well, here goes...."Everything In Its Right Place" is a wonderfully-disjointed piece with Thom's electronically-slurred vocals and the sonic bed of keyboards guiding us into uncharted musical territory. The title track is perhaps the most difficult one to digest, especially on first listen (having trouble understanding the words? They're to found on pg. 2 of the hidden booklet under the CD tray - of the first pressings, that is). Difficult, but brilliant nonetheless. The horns-laden cacaphony of "The National Anthem" is a new step for Radiohead which glides over a mercilessly-scratchy and impulsive bassline. The U2-sounding "How To Disappear Completely" is monumentally-profound in mood and its sensitive acoustic passages (yes, guitars!). "Treefingers" is an atmospheric piece deep in emotion and its plaintiveness. We are treated with a bit of nostalgia with "Optimistic" a more mature guitar-layered thrash in the style of something from THE BENDS but with a futuristic twist (after all this is a different album). Once the track winds down, it jumps into a spacey, hip-hop coda (Hip hop?, well I told you KID A was different!) leading into the spirutally-shattered lament of IN LIMBO, with its glorious, saddened guitar lines, perfectly echoing Thom's cold despair. The techno-pop gem "Idioteque" is next, a bold and fully successful move on the band's part. Don't worry...unlike some "rock" acts, Radiohead's essential character is still in evidence here and not buried in techno beats. "Morning Bell" is next, another excerise in pop melancholy and especially tuneful. "Motion Picture Soundtrack", KID A's official last track (save for the untitled minute-long soundscape at the end) is the album's almost hymn-like coda with its harp passages at the end and Thom's emotional and touching vocal.
All in all, I cannot say that KID A is better than OK COMPUTER (that was perfection as well), but KID A is defintely as monumental and MILES beyond what anybody else is doing. Radiohead are innovators. They have seen the future.
Free Music Review: THIS is high calibre... music?
Hit: 5 Stars
The evolution of Radiohead has been an incredible one, so much that if you were to listen to their four albums, you might surmise that you were hearing four different bounds. Kid A, the groups fourth release, stretches reality even moreso than the surreal but beautiful OK Computer. Kid A rejects modern song form and in some cases even the pentatonic scale.The opener, "Everything In Its Right Place" is a creepy electric organ piece with some of Radiohead's classic symbolic lyrics. (There are two colours in my head...) Computers and mixers have toyed with this song immensely.
Next up is the title track, "Kid A." Thom's voice comes in heavily distorted through the synth. accompaniment, and the song has a beautiful climax. Again, lots of electronic mixing.
"The National Anthem," is a very unique song, even for Radiohead. A vivid bass line is overlaid with members of a brass/jazz band. The instruments become increasingly disorganized and eventually "take over" the song. Very interesting.
"How To Disappear Completely" is probably my favorite track, and one of the most beautiful Radiohead songs ever. Thom's vocal line is suspended above some very mournful sounding guitar accompaniment, and a harsh electonic slide cuts in every so often, perhaps to jerk the singer back to the reality that he seems to be denying (I'm not here, this isn't happening).
"Treefingers" is a completely ambient, instrumental piece. It seems very sonically connected, and almost has a hypnotic quality. An refreshing middle of the CD track.
"Optimistic," perhaps the most radio-friendly of all the songs, features Selway's skilled drumming with a classic Radiohead sound. The electric rhythm guitar is brought out as well, and keeps the song flowing nicely.
"In Limbo" is fairly slow paced, but not without its message (You're living in a fantasy). Very skilled guitar accompaniment with some floating vocals.
"Idioteque" is a morbidly upbeat techno sounding piece. The drum beat seems to have been sonically compressed (the sound is crammed together) electronically. Yorke lets out some emotion lyrically in this song, which has a decidedly fearful-sounding style (Ice age coming, ice age coming... this is really happening).
"Morning Bell," which is written in a very odd meter, features some electronic organ accompaniment heard in many other places on the album. Thom sings very quietly but with meaning (Release me). The monotony of the song is broken by occasional guitar and drum features which seem to switch to "happy" for a few seconds. The end of the song is creepy, with the vocals degrading and mumbling into the background as the song fades.
"Motion Picture Soundtrack" is a very fitting closer. Brass and harp accompany Thorke for this farewell, which starts in a "sad fanfare." The song reaches an incredible climax as Yorke sings (Maybe I will see you... in the next life). After the song has been over for a little bit, the silence is interrupted by one final instrumental moment.
Overall, Kid A is differnt, innovative, haunting, and beautiful. Many have been trying to figure out the meaning of this "concept album." Some have suggested it is the story of the first human clone, with the songs representing Kid A's growth through the stages of life. However you want to interpret what is contained herein is up to you, but I strongly urge you to pick this up immediately if you are interested in something new and wonderful.
Free Music Review: Calling an album a piece of art nowadays is a cliche...
Hit: 5 Stars
...but I don't care. This is truly a remarkable piece of art. Thom and company's creativity is boundless, especially on this album and their later triumph, Hail To The Thief.
Everything In Its Right Place: 9/10
Kid A starts off with a track of eerie electronic paranoia with Everything In Its Right Place. An electronic vocal of Thom (probably) enters the stage muttering gibberish. Most fans of generic rock will call this just too wierd. True, in a way, but..uh...I dunno...I just like listening to this track!
Kid A: 10/10
This song is amazing. It's a dark, twisted, ominous little storybook, yet it is somewhat comforting at times. Very creative vocals shine in this song, if you can make them out. "We've got heads on sticks, we've got ventriloquists" THe song starts to distinegrate as the vocal mutters "Rats and children follow me out of town...Come on Kids"
THe National Anthem-9/10
This is one of the most 'normal' tracks on the record. It's booming, "anthem"-like guitar, bass and drums until a bombardment of horns and trumpets mutilate your eardrums. A great track.
How To Disappear Completely-8.5/10
A somewhat weaker track, but it is quite claustrophobic and downright gorgeous at times, especially near the end. The soft, seemingly far-away twelve-string acoustic guitar works well.
Treefingers-7/10
A calm, mystifying instrumental of whatever instrument. Yet, it's just...weak. I dunno, I just can't really sit through it...Bring on the next track!
Optimistic-10/10
A storm of tribal drumming, fast, sharp electric guitar and Thom Yorke chanting "Ooooh oooh ooh" kicks off one of the best tracks on this album. This song's title is ironic: it's chock full of lyrics like "Vultures spinning round my head" and "Big fish eat the little one". It's an exceptionally fantastic track, though, and one of Radiohead's Top 20 songs ever.
In Limbo-8/10
This is a hypnotic track with icy keyboards, Thom's swirling vocals and just a sonic sea of instuments. A great track, but nobody seems to like it.
Idioteque-10/10
One of Radiohead's finest songs. It's deliberately a cheesy dance song, but it's like commands to fleeing survivors of an apocalyptic scene. Thom's vocals are awesome; commanding and pleading at the same time. "We're not scaremongering...this is really happening", wails Thom.
Morning Bell- 9/10
A very 'human' song, but it's violent and desperate. It's melodic, georgeous, and just great, but look for this song's reprise on Amnesiac. I actually find it better on that album. It's more haunting, ominous, brooding, and layered than its predeccesor. Plus it's shortened by a lot.
Motion Picture Soundtrack-10/10
What a way to end this amazing album. Old fashioned organ chimes in, with pulsing harp. It's already beautiful, but my breath was taken away at the end of this masterpiece, where Thom says quietly, "I will see you in the next life". The song then rises into the air and fades away, for about three minutes. Then the song comes roaring back. That's one of this album's many little secrets and surprises. and the climax of the album.
If you are thinking of buying this, buy it now. Prepare to enter a parallel reality with this wonderful band and this majestic, artistic masterpiece of an album: Kid A.
Oh, and get OK Computer, The Bends... well, you know the drill.
Free Music Review: The perfect followup to the perfect album
Hit: 5 Stars
When Radiohead released OK Computer most everyone who heard it was simply blown away. Music magazines everywhere labeled it one of the greatest alt. rock albums ever. And to be honest, the album was perfect. At least in my opinion. So obviously everyone was anxious for the next "OK Computer" by Radiohead. Thom Yorke and company with there genius knew they couldn't make another "OK Computer" so they took a chance and went in a new direction. And the result is "Kid A". Probably my all time favorite album. When i first heard it i was pretty dissapointed because it was nothing like the last album. I went a pretty good while without listening to it again until one day i decided to try it one more time. I couldn't believe it. Radiohead had actually made an album superior to OK Computer. It's different but its so much more powerful. It begins with the keyboard in "Everything In Its Right Place" the perfect song to start the album with. Thom Yorke actually played the keyboard on this song. Its very beautiful and leaves you wanting more. From there it goes straight into "Kid A" the title track. This song reminds me a lot of "Fitter Happier" only its much more musical. Its probably one of the weaker songs on the album although i still think its great........Every great album has at least one knockout track on it and for me 'Kid A' has 4, "The National Anthem" being one of them. This is not only my favorite Radiohead song but one of my top 5 favorite songs ever. I think its very underrated. It begins with a rollicking bassline (also played by Thom Yorke) and takes you on a ride as it builds and builds and builds. If you ever get a chance go to youtube and watch them perform it live on SNL. Its worth it trust me....After the chaotic insanity of TNA the album slows down tremendously as we enter what Thom Yorke has said himself to be "the most beautiful thing we ever did", 'How To Disappear Completely'. And he couldn't be more right, as it is knockout track number 2. A sad and more downtempo song it still leaves me speechless. Probably because many times in my life i've wanted to just dissappear and you will lose yourself in its beauty. After this we enter the ambient "Treefingers" which is a good transition from how to disappear. The album quickly picks up the pace with "Optimistic" another knockout for me. It has a very unique sound to it and brilliant is the only other way i can describe it. It is followed by "In Limbo" which throws many sounds at you at once, mainly Jonny Greenwoods continuous guitar riff that repeats itself throughout the whole song. And of course we get to the fan favorite "Idioteque". This song has more of a beat than anything else on the album and Thom gets a chance to show off his vocal skills. It is very very catchy and it's probably the song you'll be singing to yourself when the album is over making it the 4th song to blow me away from this album. Next is "Morning Bell" a very nicely put together piece which takes us to the final song of the album "Motion Picture Soundtrack". Another underrated Radiohead song MPS is like the story of someone who is on there way to heaven and do not even think about skipping this last song. Not to mention, its an awesome song name ;)
In short, everything by Radiohead is incredible (with the exception of 'Pablo Honey' which still is a decent album and one worth listening too) because they have a knack for making music way ahead of its time. However, Kid A is the one that sticks out the most to me and the one I will always view as Radioheads finest achievement.
Free Music Review: "the rats and children follow me out of town..."
Hit: 5 Stars
well kids, not much left to say about this one after the 12050 other reviews. radiohead has created a whole new sound, a whole new universe with this one. its dark and alienated like OK Computer, but with a lot less guitars and simpler lyrics. its miles away from the bends, and certainly NOTHING like pablo honey. thom and the boys have for the most part sacked the alt-rock yesteryears and dipped into some electronica sounds, lush synths and strings, ambient noise, odd beats and a little free jazz too. a quick hose-down of the songs: everything in its right place: wonderfully dark electric piano number, with some creepy synths, cut-up vocals and softly ticking drum machines. reaches a near orgasmic buildup during the "tried to say" part. kid a: possibly the best song on the album, or in recent memory. i agree with the reviewer who said this song is like seeing the world through the eyes of an infant; weird images, indecipherable sounds, millions of colors. the vocals are almost liquid, bumpy synths, stop-and-go beats and a groovy bassline. total winner. the national anthem: amazing piece of music. freaked-out horns, throbbing, plodding bassline, alert drums, disturbing synth noises, and vocals that sound like they were recorded in a metal tank. the whole thing just gets more and more chaotic, then just kinda collapses on itself. makes you want to freak out and roll around on the floor, eyes bulging and tongue wagging. great stuff! how to disappear completely: finally, some guitars! blissfully depressing opus about being "not here, this isn't happening". wounded, passionate vocals. reverb-drenched descending guitar line cutting through a mist of strings, brush drums and some interesting basswork. this is one of radiohead's dreamiest songs (almost as dreamy as subterranean homesick alien, now THAT'S dreamy!). treefingers: a few minutes of ambient drones. all guitars. nice "intermission" kinda piece. optimistic: the lone "rocker", dark, biting. the intro kinda gives you the feeling of being on a rolling ship deck during a rainstorm at sea. slithering guitars, great tom-pounding from phil. near-disturbing banshee vocals. a grating rock 'n roll outro segues into a brief hip-hop interlude. trippy! in limbo: this song is extremely hard to get into at first, definitely the most obscure track on the album. impossible to describe. an odd time signature, weird drumbeat, slightly distorted vocals. lazy, twisting, country-ish guitars wrapping around jazzy synths and who-knows-what else. love it! idioteque: interesting drum 'n bass experiment. cryptic lyrics about "laughing till my head comes off", "women and children first" and "swallowing till i burst". metallic beats, odd samples. you can dance to it! morning bell: a dreamier, poppier song about a ghost in thom's house. good drumming, more electric piano. motion picture soundtrack/hidden track: pure beauty. a simple organ accompanies thom's heartbreaking falsetto delivery, then blossoms into an ornate tapestry of harps, strings and synths. very pleasant, like floating up to heaven. after a few minutes of silence, the harps and other instruments make a brief return. a nice low-key close to an album that's all over the map. this album takes a few listens to get into, but man once you get into it you never wanna leave. wonderful soundscapes, and eye-popping booklet artwork. also look for their next album, amnesiac, coming june 5th. can't wait for that one!