Music Notes: Radiohead, Amnesiac

June 1st, 2007

Amnesiac arrived eight months after Kid A and sprang from the same sessions. It’s hard not to consider these songs as “Kid B”. In addition, these songs are pretty much studio based, and possibly a deliberate attempt to be strange and vague in order to free Radiohead from the expectations regarding their more commercial work.

This album has a few songs I really love (namely the first two), but it’s dragged down by material that I feel is weaker than that Kid A or Hail To The Thief. I can appreciate the artistic effort, but that doesn’t always translate into entertaining listening.

Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box

= 5 stars

There’s some delicious phasing as the clanking loop doesn’t always line up with the timing of the keyboard part or the drum machine. The vocal melody mimics the keyboard part, speaking of disillusionment and years of boredom. I’m guessing the sardines are commuters riding a cramped MUNI bus to work.

Pyramid Song

= 5 stars

I had a strange out of sorts feeling once, while listening to this masterpiece. The ascending piano chords are in an odd meter that only finds a regular rhythm when drums arrive. As on OK Computer, the vocal part finds an envious melody perfectly suited to the odd chord progression. At 1:54 strings mimic the vocal melody as some fascinating slow motion drums enter. I also enjoy moments at 2:52 and 3:25 where the strings repeat the high vocal part and then settle into the pulsing rhythm of the piano.

Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors

= 3 stars

Much like an experiment. Notable is the vocal’s complete destruction into computer bits.

You And Whose Army?

= 4 stars

Pretty guitar strumming, with a truly sleepy, bored vocal that has an amusing contrast with the begging for a fight lyrics. However, things open up to a spacious stomp featuring piano, only to shuffle off to bed.

I Might Be Wrong

= 3 stars

Drone song. The bluesy guitar suffers from the electronic drum support.

Knives Out

= 4 stars

I like this descending chord progression, sinking to the subconscious. Another neat swooping melody is located, amid some fascinating interplay between several guitars.

Morning Bell/Amnesiac

= 4 stars

I prefer the Kid A version of this number, but the “release me” chords are too precious to pass up. Meandering does set in however, complete with organ noises, and the result is a bit too close to Magical Mystery Tour excess.

Dollars & Cents

= 2 stars

A Pet Sounds “clock” sound in the background and some odd drumming try to get this going, but I’m not getting on board. I think the reason why is revealed during the song’s last moments at 4.50 as it seems to be all based around some incessant keyboard stabbing.

Hunting Bears

= 3 stars

An instrumental number with just electric and bass guitar. The bass outlines chords that aren’t obviously suggested by the guitar part.

Like Spinning Plates

= 3 stars

Hmmm. This one is backwards most of the time, and then Thom’s voice switches to forward. The shift supposed to be a cool moment, but it doesn’t work for me.

Life In A Glass House

= 3 stars

Radiohead meets the sound of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. It’s interesting, but unfortunately something I appreciate more than enjoy. Great hook on the lines “But of course I’d like to sit around and chat.” Essentially, the wind instruments are a tad too flamboyant for my tastes.

Intra Album Rank: 3.54

Next Album: Hail To The Thief
Previous Album: Kid A

iTunes Store Link: Amnesiac — Radiohead