There are two types of people; people that understand Radiohead, embrace their uniqueness as a band, and celebrate their every work. And the people that walk in on those people listening to Radiohead and think, “What the f**k are they listening to?” As a recent converter to the former, I understand where both come from. Before In Rainbows I had never heard a Radiohead album (-gasp-). Other than knowing of a few songs I had heard now and then since the early 90’s, Creep, Kharma Police…etc, I didn’t know of the great music I had been missing until In Rainbows was offered as a “pay what you want” album on the band’s website. Naturally, I said, “I want to pay nothing,” and gave Radiohead a chance. Since then I have become a huge fan, acquiring all the albums I had been missing.
That being said, the King of Limbs isn’t the best starter album. It certainly is worth listening to, and for a Radiohead fan it is a must. It is one of their shorter recordings, at just under 40 minutes. King of limbs is a lot of ambient-mesmerizing sound, many repetitive drum patterns, gentle synths, low jazz bass, and light guitar combined with Thom Yorke’s sensitively fantastic vocals. The first half of the album seems almost like a warm up for the second half of the album where King of Limbs really comes to life, beginning with Lotus Flower, the first single of the album, the beautiful Codex, my personal favorite, Give Up the Ghost, and Separator.
The King of Limbs is different than other Radiohead albums, where in the past they seemed to try to top the last album with an even better album; this one wasn’t meant to top the last, this one was meant to try something different…maybe even go back to some experimental roots. It is good, some might say great; to me it seemed like a sequel to the 2000 Kid A album.
If you have patience for it, the King of Limbs is a very rewarding and enjoyable experience, but that is the key, you have to have time for it. There is no, “I really want to hear that song…turn it to track 5,” on this record. Put it on while you work next week, it will really grow on you as another great addition to the Radiohead collection.
(courtesy of Graphjam.com)
A handy guide:
fig. 1: the shower head
fig. 2: the egyptian
fig. 3: the buffoon
fig. 4: the rag
fig. 5: the wall pocket
fig. 6: the karateka
fig. 7: the lotus
fig. 8: the acorn
fig. 9: the prayer
fig. 10: the fan
Buy this album direct from Radiohead.
Also, check out this other great stuff from Enter the Shell:
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- Artist of the week-Radiohead
- Enter the Shell Show- The Open Feel
- Album Review- Brandon Flowers
- Enter the Shell Show Patrick Joseph
- Free Song Download – Oh Land “Sun Of A Gun”