Radiohead - Amnesiac



1. Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box (4:00) 2. Pyramid Song (4:49) 3. Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors (4:07) 3. You And Whose Army? (3:11) 4. I Might Be Wrong (4:54) 5. Knives Out (4:14) 6. Morning Bell/Amnesiac (3:15) 7. Dollars And Cents (4:51) 8. Hunting Bears (2:02) 9. Like Spinning Plates (3:57) 10. Life In a Glasshouse (4:35)

Total Running Time: 43:55



Indeed, this summer was extremely plagued with new releases by most of the well-established rock bands out there. Depeche Mode, R.E.M., Tool, and Weezer, among others, offered the public new albums that certainly gave the mainstream world a break from the 'boy-band' scene. Moreover, these releases proved that rock is still alive and well, but even then, there is one key ingredient in the melting pot that is still missing…

… Radiohead's new album, Amnesiac. The record was undoubtedly the most awaited release of the summer; a craving that surged as soon as rumors spread out that the band had some material on the shelves. This posed to many the inevitable question of 'what will they come up with next?', particularly after their mind-boggling experimental album, Kid A, released a mere 6-months before.

If you believe that Radiohead has currently nothing to do with prog at all, you should get your facts straight. By this time around, you should be aware that the band has flirted many times with some 'key' prog elements like odd-time signatures and arrangements. Most importantly, however, they have the capability to reinvent themselves completely through each of their albums, one of the true characteristics that many 'prog' bands lack entirely.

Amnesiac is basically a weird mixture of great compositions. On one hand we have songs like "Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors" written in the experimental vein (the 'leftover' tracks from the Kid A sessions), and on the other, we have the heady and melodic mainstream compositions, like "Knives Out", that take us back to the more 'accessible' Radiohead, reminiscent of the OK Computer or The Bends era. Still, one can clearly notice the evolution the band has achieved with this new album, always managing to breakthrough within their style and bring new musical ideas to the forefront. Songs are meticulously treated through samples, loops, processors and electronic filters, creating an extremely moody and ambient sound throughout the album.

So here's the deal, if you are:

1.- A fan of the band and their work: This album is another 'must have' for your collection, meaning that you shouldn't hesitate to buy it.

2.- A newcomer to the band: Amnesiac is a good bet as a starter to introduce you to the band. It portrays Radiohead's different faces perfectly, with the experimental and song-oriented approaches intertwined to create a whole, giving you a clear idea of what the band is all about.

3.- Familiar with them but still uncomfortable with their new electronic/experimental approach: That is perfectly understandable, and yes, it will please you to know that this album is friendlier than their previous effort. I would suggest that you give the band another shot and judge them after listening to them several times… even I took a while to get in the right mood for Kid A.

4.- Disgusted by the band: No offense but, please go back to your room and listen to your Britney Spears' CDs!

-by Javier Elizondo

back to top