RADIOHEAD – The King Of Limbs

A strange monster, this Radiohead thingie. When I sit down, take a listen or two, think for a while…, I’m pondering on the strangeness therein. I cannot come up with one band too similar to Radiohead, which probably means that I know few pop and rock bands, but it is also possible that this band is an influence, a reference point, instead of being one that must be copies. Then again, how can you copy something with such a distinctive sound and vocal?

The album is a rollercoaster of strange rhythms and sounds. What seems simple on the surface, is wicked once you dig deeper and discover the various levels. Listening to in example "Morning Mr. Magpie" is like, "now, which melody to follow?". There’s the main melody, but each instrument goes in one or the other direction and then the vocals on top… Insane, and interesting. Does Radiohead go in this direction because they have to, or do they include all the various elements aside from the basic pattern because it’s more interesting to them and to the fans? It would’ve been interesting to see what they could do with the basic rock rocks from earlier U2…

"The King Of Limbs" is an album that demands multiple spins. If you manage to get by the tender and indentified vocal work and sound you’re in for all the extra. Radiohead have also made the album shorter than expected, but I think that 37 minutes of full concentration is enough for an steadily older myself. "OK Computer" is still the highlight, but "The King Of Limbs" may as well end up as an album that demands regular listenings.

My soul is safely put into extreme metal, yes. But just like cheating on a woman (which I don’t do now, mind you), you kind of have to meet that other woman, just for the sake of difference. So, some alternative rock every now and then…