KID A

Radiohead is one of the few bands still making music today who are, progressing, music, in my opinion. With OK Computer, they completely took everyone by surprise with their talent and beauty. Then they tried to make another album afterwards. This was difficult.Thom Yorke especially had difficulty. he would take out his guitar, starting writing a song, put the paper away, take it out again and tear it to shreds. the other band members had similar difficulties. it was clear they needed to start fresh, away from everything they had done up to that point. They started to experiment with unconventional instruments. Jonny Greenwood started playing the Ondes Martenot, Phil Selway began experimenting with electronic drums and conventional ones, Thom Yorke began using his laptop to create sounds. The resulting 30 songs were commited to 2 discs: Kid A and Amnesiac. Kid A is the superior, but Amnesiac is also amazingly groundbreaking.

Everything in it's Right place: the starting song immediately recognizes the new Radiohead sound: the electric piano played by Thom. The drums are a simple bass beat, and something is used to recreate samples of thom's voice whenever it is played. The vocal line here is simple, yet perfect. the lyrics are a light year away from Ok Computer, but the simplicity of them dazzles me.

Kid A: A simple yet gorgeous piano melody brings us into the most experimental song on the album. The bass beat is stellar, and the snare that jumps in to accompany is so athletic it drives me wild. Phil Selway is one of the best drummers I know, and he almost never leaves the standard beat. The voice is so distant and effected you cannot understand the words, but its ok.

National Anthem: A powerful bass riff leads into another great drum beat from Phil, and lots of interesting sounds overlaying it all. Thom's singing part is short and sweet, and its followed by an epic sax riff that just kills me. the horns slowly add in as the song becomes increasingly dissonant, with the bass guitar ever present beneath the genius of it all. the outro is just dissonant as hell, with the horns all blasting and squealing away.

How to Disappear Completely: First of all, my favorite song on the album. Second, the title suits the song so well its genius. Ok, well the very far off dissonant chord that stays there throughout the song is awesome. the strummed acoustic guitar is the first guitar heard on the album, and its played by Thom. Jonny uses the Ondes Martenot to create the falling notes. The lyrics are again, simplistic, but again, thats a good thing here. The chorus is very memorable, and when the strings start to build and release, my nerves are on end. Masterful ballad.

Treefingers: unlike anything Radiohead has done or would do, this song is done solely by Jonny Greenwood I believe, just on his guitar. it has a simple Beauty.

Optimistic: This song harks back to OK Computer in its lyrics and Guitar work, but it wouldn't have fit on that album. The lyrics are very though provoking, and the chorus is great. The weird bridge and the awesome outro are perfect fits in this song, and it flows seamlessly into...

In Limbo: a song basically built on guitar arpeggios of different sizes and shapes, I consider this song to be part 2 of Optimistic because of how well they flow. the lyrics continue to be interesting, and the way Thom sings them is just perfect. the overlaying guitars create a mystical aura to the music.

Idioteque: Radiohead's take on Disco. the electronic beat leads us right into it, with Thom's chanting creeps you out while intriguing you. lots of mellow sounds accompany thom on this song, and near the end Phil starts drumming and it is soooooo good!

Morning Bell: With an interesting beat in 7/4, the drums kick in. alternating between dissonance and beauty, this song is a classic radiohead track.

Motion Picture Soundtrack: Done entirely on an organ, harp, and some more Ondes Martenot, this song is the best closing song for any album ever. Gorgeous. I cannot describe it with words, you must listen yourself.

Overall, amazing album, changed the face of music.