Radiohead - Amnesiac

B Siders, it's time for me to come clean. I have an obsession that has been driving me out of my head lately. And if I don't get any of it, I get crabby and upset and I'm just not me. So I've been having to take it in every single day, or I just don't feel right. And if you don't know what I'm referring to, it's Radiohead. If you thought I was going to say drugs, you were close. I think Radiohead is kind of like a drug. I've done three other albums by them so far, and I can't bring myself to stop reviewing more of their stuff. This is probably a deeper cut than most casual fans would have listened to so far. Everyone knows 'The Bends' and 'OK Computer' since those records had huge hits on them. But Amnesiac? I don't know. I adore 'Kid A' and this album is slightly more on the electronic side like that one was. That makes a ton of sense, as this was the follow up and came out just a year after in 2001. While this record isn't as synthed out and shows a LOT and I mean a lot more guitar work. Most of these songs were adopted in the same 'Kid A' phase, but weren't released on that record. Which is awesome, since it's a second album that has a whole separate identity. The only track that wasn't on the same plain is 'Life In A Glasshouse' which was recorded later with a jazz trumpeter. Thom Yorke goes into great detail how he thinks the two works are separate, and how he came about with the album artworks and how they explain the differences. It's honestly fascinating. This album is in short, awesome. It's 11 tracks of enticing, engaging, never know what's coming next, genre-bending music. I could honestly listen to this everyday, and for the most part, I have been. Please check this out today. And I know it's not for everyone, but if you don't like it - I'd love an honest, thought out rationale as to why.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box
2. Pyramid Song
3. Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors: Pulk / Pull Revolving Doors
4. You and Whose Army?
5. I Might Be Wrong
6. Knives Out
7. Morning Bell/Amnesiac: Morning Bell / Amnesiac
8. Dollars & Cents
9. Hunting Bears
10. Like Spinning Plates
11. Life in a Glasshouse

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Packt Like Sardines
2. You And Whose Army?
3. Hunting Bears

FINAL RATING:
4.75 out of 5 stars

Radiohead - King Of Limbs

Installation number three today is what I consider the Cadillac of this week's New Music Tuesday trio. Why? Because I've been on this incredible 2 or 3 month Radiohead kick now. I can't get enough of these guys. Everything they do is so different and exciting for me. I adore this alternative random nonsense they do. And that's about the best I can explain their style. It changes on an album to album basis. These guys are also pioneers of offering music exclusively through themselves versus giving a big label any sort of credit for what they do. It started with their last drop 'In Rainbows' where you could go to their web site, pay whatever you wanted for the album and download it. Sure most people paid one whole penny - but that's not the point. Radiohead gave their fans an album that they didn't have to run to the store to buy and didn't have to pay 10 dollars plus. Genius. This album had a similar start. It was offered back in late January I think on their web page for a pre-determined amount. (I think it was 8 dollars) But you had access to it a couple of months before it hit the stores. Since I'm a tangible cd nerd even more than a Radiohead nerd, I will be running out to buy my copy after work today. But I got a hold of the 8 tracks a while back, and have been gingerly listening to them as to not get burned out by the time I reviewed them...yeah, like that's even possible for me. This album's art is based on the fairy tales you'd hear as a kid. The stuff that wouldn't let you go to sleep at night. Personally, I feel the music captured that essence to perfection. Absolute perfection. There are a couple songs where if you drift back and let the music take over, you could imagine you were stuck in this haunting scene and the music was merely the soundtrack of your life. It's very different from other stuff they've done, which is why I love them and this. I wish it were more than 8 tracks, but maybe that's part of the reason I enjoy it. All solid music with no filler. I love it, Radiohead fans will love it - you might too. Happy Tuesday Trio B Siders!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Bloom
2. Morning Mr Magpie
3. Little by Little
4. Feral
5. Lotus Flower
6. Codex
7. Give Up the Ghost
8. Separator

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Little By Little
2. Codex
3. Lotus Flower

FINAL RATING:
4.25 out of 5 stars

Radiohead - Kid A

I love Radiohead. Devotees will recall my excellent rating for their 'The Bends' album a while back...but I'm not even sure that's my favorite. Kid A here is right there with that one and every other Radiohead record. The reason I enjoy this one so much is the change of pace. Most people would recognize their brand as more of an anthem rock or indie rock feel. And this record was a total experiment with more of an electronic sound. It's so different - which is awesome, but it's still Radiohead. That probably doesn't make any sense to the casual listener or reader, but it really does. If you were really jacked up about Bends and then OK Computer - I'd have a hard time thinking you listened to this and didn't enjoy it. It just has that signature Radiohead strangeness to it, just a totally different arrangement. And I've said this before, but I LOVE when bands experiment like that. Especially when they lean toward the less money, but doing what you love side. They could have easily made a more poppy record and sold a ton of copies. Instead, they didn't care what people thought per se, and made what they wanted to. Turns out, it still sold like gangbusters. Just goes to show you, if you make really good music - people will still buy it. You need to check this out today. One of the most complete records of the 2000's. Enjoy B Siders and Happy Wednesday!!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Everything in Its Right Place
2. Kid A
3. National Anthem, The
4. How to Disappear Completely
5. Treefingers
6. Optimistic
7. In Limbo
8. Idioteque
9. Morning Bell
10. Motion Picture Soundtrack

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Idioteque
2. Optimistic
3. Everything In Its Right Place

FINAL RATING:
5 out of 5 stars

Radiohead - The Bends

So, this wasn't Radiohead's first record, but it was the first one I purchased. I have to say, way back when no one really knew who Radiohead was - and I even recall a couple friends giving me crap for buying such a bad album. Well, almost two decades later, this one sits as one of the top of all time to many people out there. I've always been a big fan of them, and I think many people discount their stuff as just pop music or don't put them as a band that will be looked at highly in the future. These guys get regular play on my iPod and that won't change anytime soon. This isn't my favorite album by them either, I think that honor goes to OK Computer. However, I have to respect the one that got me started and that's The Bends. Do yourself a favor and check this out. I have no clue how I'd classify the record in terms of genre, but just give it a listen. It's got a great bluesy feel to it and the lyrics are the type that make you think. Queue this up for your Monday morning work day, you won't regret it.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Planet Telex
2. Bends, The
3. High and Dry
4. Fake Plastic Trees
5. Bones
6. Nice Dream
7. Just
8. My Iron Lung
9. Bullet Proof...I Wish I Was
10. Black Star
11. Sulk
12. Street Spirit (Fade Out)

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Just
2. High And Dry
3. Fake Plastic Trees

FINAL RATING:
4.5 out of 5 stars