Ahhhh, effortless techno. There�s nothing quite like it.
Drawing influences from Apex Twin, Bjork, and other masters of the dreamy ethereal techno album, Radiohead has created their own little weird hybrid masterpiece. With drowned-out vocals, interesting time signatures and a soothing melodies, �Kid A� is the perfect headphone companion for the insomniac in all of us.
Perhaps Thom Yorke just needs a hug? Some of the more depressing moments of the album, such as the title track and the album flagship �How to Disappear Completely� point to an answer of �yes.� Not only does Radiohead�s lead singer need a hug, but the rest of the band as well. These are not happy/uplifting dance tracks; these are desolate musical statements meant to depress the soul. And I wouldn�t want �Kid A� any other way.
Perhaps �Kid A�s� melancholy is meant to be the antithesis of the band�s early efforts, �The Bends� with its emotional texture and �OK Computer� with its nearly-nonsensical energetic guitar-meets-android music. Or, perhaps �Kid A� is merely the next step in the band�s evolution; �OK Computer� was pretty heavy on the electronic without ever being blatantly techno. Luckily, I am reviewing �Kid A� in hindsight; eventually Radiohead returned to their previous sound with 2004�s �Hail to the Theif.�
But �Kid A� is more than a side project. It�s the band�s techno masterpiece, and perhaps their most solid and engaging triumph.
That�s not to say there aren�t any missteps; things get perhaps a bit too depressing on �Treefingers,� a vocal-free instrumental with little range or emotion. The heavy-guitar based �National Anthem� is another sore spot, but mostly because of its placement on the album (though I can�t really think of a spot where it wouldn�t be out of place).
The greatest moments are when the concept and the production come together in focused, immediate bursts; such is the track �Idioteque,� and thump-thump-thumping little dance number located on the disk�s later half that spices things up while staying true to the album�s main aesthetics. The title track and �Optimistic� are also focused, beautiful pieces of music.
This album is ultimately listenable through-and-through, and best of all, it�s relistenable too! This will be one of those albums that you end up putting on at the end of a long night - because you know that it�s the best album that you have.
Download: �Idioteque,� �How to Disappear Completely,� �Optimistic,� and �Everything in its Right Place.�
Recommended if you liked this album: Bjork�s �Homogenic,� anything from the Apex Twin catalogue, or Future Sound of London�s �Dead Cities.� |
