Radiohead: Kid A / Amnesiac

Radiohead: Kid A / Amnesiac
Label: Capitol
Release Date: 2000, 2001
Review Date: 2002

If you’re not already overwhelmed by the Radiohead juggernaut of of positive press, just listen to Amnesiac. If at all possible, each Radiohead release gets better and better. I caught an an early “Creep” era live performance, and it seemed Radiohead was distrustful and almost resentful of their sudden success, enough so to heckle the audience about not knowing any of their songs released before Pablo Honey. Had they continued to realease records of the same caliber of quality, you probably wouldn’t be reading this. Long story short, Radiohead has been releasing seemingly increasingly unreceptive music to a more receptive audience. As the guitars drop out…

@#@#$$&!!

Forget it. This started out as a review for Kid A. I couldn’t get motivated to finish it before the next record came out. If you like Radiohead, you’l like this. It ventures further into soundscape territory, obviously Eno inspired. Some tracks are engaging as you litem to them but will fade from your memory shortly after listening to them. If this is some how your first exposure to Radiohed, pick up The Bends or OK Computer. Radiohead is treading a dangerous line between art and masturbatory self indulgence. If they aren’t careful, they’ll wind up being this decade’s Moody Blues. Days of Future Passed and Knights in White Satin seemed visionary at the time, but most folks find it kind laughable now. I’ve still got my dad’s copy though. And hey, The Moody Blues were on the Simpsons. Amnesiac is strong. It’s similar to but not but not as memorable as Kid A.