Kid A (Album Review)

It has come to my attention that this album turned 17 a couple of days ago so I thought what better time to review this album as it will be Adult A next year (i'll see myself out).

The first Radiohead album I listened and appreciated was OK Computer from 1997. It quickly became a favourite. I did the natural thing and see what other Radiohead albums I should listen to. Well Kid A is one that is often cited as Radiohead's best along with OK Computer so I listened to it. It sounded like techno-disco-dance music, of which I kinda despise and the only track that stood out was Idioteque. I tried a couple of times to listen and understand why it's so revered. One day I decided to buy the CD to listen to in my car. Why? I couldn't tell you why I did it but oh man I don't regret it one bit.

The album flows graciously from track to track even though the speed of the album can pick up and slow down in a heartbeat. Its wall of sound is firmly rooted in rock but it takes time and multiple listens to see that and its very rewarding when you do notice it. The lack of regular instruments like a guitar are what probably will leave you scratching your head. Lead man Thom Yorke's lyrics are a mess and a background for their individual meanings is probably required to fully understand the album. Luckily the album is a glorious mess.

The opening track, 'Everything in its Right Place' includes the lyrics "Yesterday I woke up sucking on a lemon". Right from the beginning this album is different. The bands departure from it's regular set of instruments is also clear here, right from chord one. Slowing things down the title track 'Kid A' it becomes apparent that Yorke's lyrics are thought out to the dotting of an 'i' but at the same time manage to be things we say that don't have much thought put into it. Influences come from far wide in this album and 'The National Anthem' proves it as it's most notable on this track. Now I don't mean the influences from this song come from different traditional music styles the way The Beatles (George Harrison) used Indian music. The band have said influences come from people like Bjork to Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki and Johnny Greenwood's time studying music theory. A group of jazz instruments give 'The National Anthem' its real hook and one of best of the album.

The ephemeral and fleeting experience that is carried throughout this album is best heard in 'How to Disappear Completely'. The repeated line, "I'm not here", comes from a dream Thom Yorke had when he was a ghost and is inspired by some advice given to him while touring and promoting OK Computer. The personal lyrics are a staple of Yorke's writing but I don't believe they alone belong to him. I am sure other members of the band are the same. Then comes the intermission or interlude, if you will, of the album, 'Treefingers'. An instrumental piece it bridges a song about loneliness and consumerism. Capitalism is the form of society most humans have lived in but does it work? I think more than any other piece from Kid A, Optimistic is a continuation of OK Computer. Another song that echoes OK Computer and continues on with themes of egos and loneliness is In Limbo.

Then comes one of the band's crowning achievements and album highlight. Idioteque. A beat hooks you instantly without the need from any gimmicky monosyllabic chorus. If the band wanted to depart themselves from the sound they became associated in with songs like 'Creep', 'Fake Plastic Trees' and 'Paranoid Android' they certainly achieved it here. It's lyrics might be the easiest to dissect as the band has increasingly been associated with saving the earth and going green. The songs lyrics echo that ideal in the song are definitely akin to it but just a bit more melancholy. Morning bell bridges the album from 'Idioteque' to 'Motion Picture Soundtrack' with it's lyrics that get darker as the song goes on. The album concludes with I think is the best quieter song Radiohead has done. It has the most haunting lyrics of the album as Yorke's voice fills most of the song for the first half then a short pause is followed by a harp creating one of the albums best moments.

The band's department from the regular line up of instruments found in a rock band works extremely well. The fact that this was an album that tried to do a 180 on an album that did a 180 is maybe its biggest achievement. The timbre and texture of this album maybe be rough but it soon becomes soothing to the ears. This maybe a rock album but I think the term 'post-rock' that has been coined when talking about it works more suitably.

Overall Score: 10/10

What do you think of this album?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Band Members: Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, and Phil Selway

Producers: Nigel Godrich and Radiohead

Label: Parlophone and Capitol