KID A

Kid A, despite being completely different from previous Radiohead efforts, offers a lot of variety. It is notable for being called "commerical suicide" ... ermmm.. "prog.". A lot of people say that the album is depressing. I can see how one would call How To Disappear Completely melancholy, but the rest of the album is absolute musical bliss for me. One of the reasons I listen to music for timbre, and Kid A offers a lot of it.

The first track, 'Everything In Its Right Place" has a vague electric piano and strange voices in 10/4 time. The indifferent title track (my favorite and most played song on my iPod) lacks a melody (not at all bad in my view) and sort of creates a structure of sound in my mind that can be continuously examined and enjoyed. "Kid A" has sound effects two electric piano tracks, each processed differently. Thom's voice is altered, making him sound like some sort of electronica wizard. The digitally altered drums on this piece are gorgeous. Another aspect of this track I love is the sudden changing of dynamics, which is common in electronica artists. It is very difficult to describe. "National Anthem" is pretty straight forward. Droning bass riff, ondes martenot chromatic celestial sounds, and an angry jazz band. Phil's drums are not processed in this song but still offer a lot to the music, especially when he stops playing, offering other timbre to take rise and make color. "How To Disappear Completely" features acoustic guitar, bass, ondes martenot, and a dissonant droning orchestra. "Treefingers" is something straight off of a Brian Eno album. "Optimistic" is close to OK Computer Radiohead. The song isn't spectacular, but I love how it transitions into "In Limbo". "In Limbo" is sort of a trance, guitar-driven piece. Light Fender Rhodes EP opens the song, soon to be surrounded by a beautiful transitioning guitar movement. "You're living in a fantasy world.." the guitar sort of reinforces this lyric. "Idioteque" is the most direct electronic song on Kid A. Drum machine, sampled ambient noises, and fucking weird lyrics. I adore it. "Morning Bell" opens with a simplistic 5/4 drum beat and then Fender Rhodes alternating between minor and major chords. Thom sounds like he's holding his nose, that might just be me though. There are some crazy guitar sounds on this track- very sculptural and angular. Great dynamic changes! The final song "Motion Picture Soundtrack" is very easy imaged belonging to a make believe movie. Tearful organ chords play under Thom's sentimental voice. Eventually harps are added, the organ dies down, and there is dead silence for an uncomfortable amount of time for some. An ambient sound scape is poured out of the dark. I can only describe that sound as heavenly.

There are few albums I consider to be perfect- albums I wouldnt' change a single detail about. Of the few perfect albums I can imagine.. I prefer Kid A over them. Does that make sense? I don't know. I could go in depth in what I'm trying to say but I won't. Radiohead pulled a fast one on their fans, exposing them to the weird world of the avant-garde. And this decision created some of the most aesthetically pleasing, explorative pieces of music ever.

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