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Radiohead - Kid A CD (album) cover

KID A

Radiohead

 

Crossover Prog

3.96 | 862 ratings

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Neurotarkus
5 stars Radiohead is, in my opinion, one of the best bands ever- if I had to come up with a list, they'd probably be second, right after Pink Floyd. This is because they often manage to create a feeling in their work that cannot be described by words- it manages to be very unique and different, yet catchy at the same time. Kid A is probably Radiohead's second best, after OK Computer, because it retains its predecessor's immaculate ability to portray society in a light not seen before, while also adding more to the mix- electronica plays a large part in the making of Kid A, and there's also a lot of krautrock in here too.

Everything's In It's Right Place begins the album with electronic menace and malice- the title seems to be an ironic description that everything is NOT in its right place, and it channels a kid of anger- at our screwed-up world, at its greedy, calculating builders, and at the blindly following sheeple that let it happen. After that comes the title track as a counterpoint- there is a feeling to this track that cannot be described, only felt- it's a certain little thing in your soul, it's there but you don't know it, and Kid A shines a little beam of light on it, exposing it. It can be a peaceful dream, or a fearful nightmare- depending on how you listen to it. The bell-like percussion and distorted vocals are the best part of the song. Then is The National Anthem, truly a monster of a song- It begins with an evil bassline, with the rest of the song anchored around it. After a bit, the rest of the song collapses around it, until it dies in a cacophony of horns. How to Disappear Completely is, in my opinion, one of the weaker tracks, because it simply doesn't do as much for me as the others before and after it- however, it's still a really good song, and depending on your mood, it may hit you just right. Treefingers is a somewhat short ambient track, that you can just drift off with. Optimistic sounds liek something from OK Computer, being more alternative rock than electronica- however, it fits in perfectly with its brethren on Kid A, being a cold, cynical song, again in contrast to its title. In Limbo has a wandering, lost feeling, and I must say it's very likely to get stuck in your head. After that, is the absolute king of this record- Idioteque, an odd experiment that works absolutely perfect in this context. The contrast is at its best here, as four sampled notes turn an otherwise dancy disco beat into a cold wasteland of feelings once again undefined; when you let it in, it latches on to these feelings you hold, and exposes them- one of the best songs ever made, and one of the best experiments ever conducted. Morning Bell is a sad, depressed song that seems to be about a divorce, and Motion Picture Soundtrack is in my opinion overrated, but it's still pretty good as a sad closing song. Though there are a few somewhat weak song, they are not bad, and much more than made up for by the amazing pieces found elsewhere on Kid A. Thus, the album receives five stars, recommended to fans of experimental and electronic music.

Neurotarkus | 5/5 |

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