Radiohead-Amnesiac

Alright so I'm aware that this album has been out since 2001. But I think it would be incredibly naive for anyone to deny the fact that Radiohead has had a major impact on a wide range of artists. And the unfortunate thing is that until recently, I have never explored their music for myself. But I've finally come to realize that there is something truly astonishing about this band.

This album has been written off by many people as the band's "Kid B" album, since Kid A was written around the same time and has a similar experimental vibe. However I think Amnesiac has a slightly different feel to it and stands on it's own as a fantastic album.

The opener, Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box starts off with a subtle, yet moving electronic drum beat. Keyboards and vocals then come in. Spacey layers and digital noises are eventually added. This isn't my favorite track but I think it sets the mood for whats to come.

The second track, Pyramid Song, is in my opinion the highlight of the 44 minutes offered here. The song has a mellow beginning similar to many other Radiohead tunes. However, the buildup of the string section throughout is breathtaking to say the least. Thom Yorke's vocals add to the ethereal impression of this song as well.

The third song here is a bit of a departure from the previous two. Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors is a little more industrial and definitely has a more delirious feel to it. It's interesting nonetheless.

Next is You and Whose Army? I couldn't help but notice the jazz influences that seep through when listening to this. Everything from the delicate "ooing" and upright bass in the beginning, to the sound of the drums that come in around 1:50. It's a dark, haunting piece of music that is enjoyable but ultimately feels a bit out of place on the album.

The album picks up once again with I Might Be Wrong; another upbeat track that would have fit well on Kid A. Here, Radiohead do what they do best. Layers of guitars, keyboards, electronic beats, and other bizarre noises are added in successive layers from beginning to end until it ends abrubtely around 3:48. I personally enjoyed how the song picked up again after that point.

Knives Out, the sixth song on Amnesiac, instantly reminded me of older Radiohead because of the chord progressions and atmospheric nature. The way the guitar and bass are intertwined creates a very spacey mood similar to that found on tracks such as "Subterranean Homesick Alien" and "No Surprises" off of OK Computer. Once again, Yorke's voice is stunning and compliments the overall vibe of the song.

Following this is Amnesiac/Morning Bell which is an alternative version to Morning Bell off Kid A. It's a very eerie tune that definitely induces a feeling of paranoia. Lyrics are another story. The majority of the lyrics on this album are not easily interpreted, but this song is particularly strange. When Yorke sings "Cut the kids in half", it's anyone's best guess as to what he is referring to.

Dollars & Cents is another favorite of mine. A groovy bass line is repeated in the background while a restrained, echoing drum beat drives the song. Guitars are frequently added and the string section picks up near the end . It appears as if Yorke intended to use his voice as another instrument on this one. Other than the string section, the vocals are really the only melody that is carried.

The next two pieces of music, Hunting Bears and Like Spinning Plates are mostly instrumental but are decent additions to the album. The former is a short, but strange track. If you listen closely, wind is blowing in the background and random pick sliding on the guitar can be heard. It also sounds like it is running through a tape loop. Like Spinning Plates is an equally strange track in that it kind of sounds like wings are flapping in the beginning. I also noticed that a backwards effect is used on certain parts but the vocals are normal. It provides a very creepy sensation when listening to the song in good headphones.

Last, but certainly not least is Life in a Glasshouse. This song is probably my second favorite track among those on Amnesiac. A variety of different instruments are used including a trumpet, trombone, and oboe which all sound great. It's a suitable closer to a great album.

I wouldn't call this a classic and it's certainly not as cohesive as Kid A. However, I do think it has a lot to offer and it has a number of songs that are strong individually. Whether you are a new or old fan of the band, I would highly recommend Amnesiac.

The Damage:



4 out of 5 Mustaches