A few weeks ago I finally finished listening to all 9 studio albums. The musical style of The King of Limbs really captivated me and I was wondering if there were any Radiohead songs outside the albums that shared a similar style to songs like those in the album.
It's probably Street Spirit for me, but I'm not sure
I once again wanna talk about the album after a couple more listens and especially after my most recent one yesterday. You might remember I wasn't initially too sure on what to think about this album but after giving it some time I think it finally hits as a whole. So I wanna take time to yap about the album in its entirety.
Packt Like Sardines In a Crushd Tin Box - I think my initial reaction to the opening track was a big "Ok WHAT". Coming out of Kid A and knowing it along with Amnesiac stood out in Radiohead's discography, I knew I would be in for something odd, but the last thing I expected was to hear percussion that sounded like it was played on cookware... which is true appearantly? I kinda love it though. The song is very upbeat and catchy. I've found myself mouthing the chorus of the song on numerous occasions, it's something that really sticks in your head. Radiohead's use of repetition in their lyrics has always been noteworthy and clearly it works. The song is also kinda wierd in some parts and it demonstrates the kind of eerie vibe the entire album has. I think it's a great opener.
Pyramid Song - I mean this song is beautiful, what more could you say? I love it when Radiohead uses piano in their music, it always feels like such a treat. This is probably the best song on the album and one that has captivated me for a while. It feels so sad and gloomy but effortlessly comforting and serene. Thom's voice is so sincere, one of his most impactful performances in my opinion. I really love the use of strings too, I assume that's more of Jonny Greenwood's work. Again beautiful song.
Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors - This is probably their most out of pocket song to date. It reminds me of those old paintings of hell people used to make with all the surrealistic creatures and structures. This song really sells the eerie vibe of the album the most. It's so incredibly disturbing and I love it for that. Especially the ending with that terrifying noise you already got a taste of at the very end of Pyramid Song. I can understand it not being everyone's favourite of course. But once I let myself go with the vibe of the track I feel like it belongs here.
You And Whose Army? - This is one of my personal least favourites album. It feels kinda sluggish, devastated and hopeless. Like getting up and propping up your fists in a fight you already lost, daring your enemy to hit you again. I don't think it's bad by any means though. I like the simple bassline 2/3 into the song. You can hear it so well and something about that just kinda hits. The song picks up in the last part and there it really gets to shine. The piano makes a return and it all just comes together so nicely. Thom's singing is also great here.
I Might Be Wrong - Probably the funkiest track on the album and the return of more guitar based music (for almost the rest of the album too), with an unforgettable hook melody that I admit to having attempted playing way too often. There's not a whole lot to say about this track, it's fairly simple and stays mostly the same up until the final minute where it briefly switches to a cleaner melody before returning to the original and ending shortly after. I like it either way.
Knives Out - Initially I found the melody of the song to be oddly familiar, and it turns out it does share it's chords and progression partially with Paranoid Android. This track also mostly stays the same for it's duration with of course some minor instrumental variation. It feels very busy, and the most "alive" of the tracks so far. It sounds like pushing yourself through your days despite dealing with something that perpetually ails your mind.
Morning Bell/Amnesiac - This is the let down of the album for me (no not the song). I like the original much better, and I think the vibe is sold so much more on Kid A, whereas this version feels just like a bit of a throwaway for me. For what it's worth it sounds pretty, but doesn't do the original justice in my opinion. Therefore it's also my least favourite on the album.
Dollars and Cents - But from one of my least favourites to one of my favourites. We start off with this calm combination of percussion, rhythm melody and that jazzy bassline. Thoms voice accompanied by strings on occasion. I love how the drums occasionally pick up very shortly before returning to the more subdued rhythm. I guess it kinda falls in line with the lyrics, keeping your head down and staying in line because if you don't, the corperate authority will crush your soul. This returns in the use of progression in the track. It gets wilder and wilder over time and then goes quieter again. Thom's vocals are imposing and a little terrifying by the end when he essentially voices how the authorities see themselves in contrast to their subjects. They're the dollars and cents. What was given, can be taken from you, so quiet down.
Hunting Bears - A short instrumental that works fine before getting into the final two tracks. I like how desolate and outdoors it sounds. Like going to Alaska and getting lost in the middle of nowhere. Getting away from it all for just a few minutes.
Like Spinning Plates - This is the most interesting track on the album in my opinion. The song sounds like it's played in reverse, which it actually partially is. Even Thom actually song the text in reverse for one verse in the song which makes for this otherwordly and eerie performance. It's really great. It's kind of hard to find the rights for it I just think this entire track is really awesome. The progression is once again entrancing. Tracks like this really make Amnesiac more than what some would claim to be Kid A B-sides. And the final track especially seals in that fact.
Life In a Glasshouse - Radiohead jazz people. What more could you possibly want? A great brass section set to the slow rhythm. More Piano. And of course amazing lyrics. There's something so James Bond about this track and I'm absolutely eating it up. It's just amazing from beginning to end. And a fantastic way to close the album.
Amnesiac may be around the bottom part of my personal album ranking so far, but by no means is this album any offense to Radiohead's discography. It has an absolutely stacked tracklist with some of their best and most interesting music to date. And it deserves every bit of our respect. I've listened to Hail to the Thief a while ago now and am planning to talk about it soon as well, but probably not for nearly as long. I felt like I really had something to say about this album after the last time listening to it. My relationship with it has really developed. But that will be all for now, if you've made it this far, hats off to you, I don't think I've ever talked this much about anything.