KID A

This is a truly remarkable piece of work. Who would have thought Radiohead would follow "Ok Computer" with this? From the opening chords of "Everything in its right place" the listener already knows he's on to something special.

Actually, most people just consider this album to be a disjointed experiment the band did to explore how far they could go, but in reality nothing could be further from the truth. If you study the framework of the album carefully and listen closely to the music, you'll realise as I did that Kid A is a complex tour de force, a concept album for the 21st century about the life of the first human clones.

And some of you doubt Radiohead being progressive? Give me a break, will ya...

Below I give my interpretation of the album, track by track. I'm sure it will make the next listen an even more pleasurable experience. Here it goes, Kid A track by track:

1.Everything in its right place: Everything has to be in order at the genetic level to produce the 26 clones, Kids A-Z. There is a message from the scientists: "Sorry, kids, there will be some kinks to iron out in later clones". For example, there are only 2 colours in the clones' heads, and they have extra-sensitive taste centres ("yesterday, I woke up sucking a lemon" describing that the air even tastes sour and lemony.)

2.Kid A: Describes the birth of the clones.

3.The National Anthem: The entire country is watching the clones, as they have become celebrities. However, everyone is afraid of them. The "anthem" is preformed as the world fears what they will do with the clones.

4.How to disappear completely: After the clones' rejection by the masses, they feel isolated and depressed. As if they have disappeared completely.

5.Treefingers: Some of the clones die for various reasons.

6.Optimistic: There are a few clones on the rebound in life, coming back, being optimistic, emerging from the muck they enveloped themselves in ("this one came out of the swamp").

7.In limbo: A few cannot cope with this, and only one clone is left, the Kid A. He cannot read the letters saying that so-and-so clone hath died, because it is too painful. Because of this he is alone, but he marries and finds someone who understands him, but almost immediately the relationship tenses and begins to collapse.

8.Idioteque: The relationship deteriorates further. However, they keep it inside, so that they can agree to have a child ("the first of the children"). This turns out to be big news, since the clone is a father to a healthy child.

9.Morning bell: The marriage finally destroys his life, and he leaves ("Cut the kids in half" and "Where did you park the car?").

10.Motion picture soundtrack: Kid A is on his deathbed. He is looking over what he has become, and how he has been a disappointment for those who created his race. "I will see you in the next life". He goes on to join Kids B-Z. He finds comfort in his death, because his life turned out to be meaningless.

Conclusion: Kid A is an undisputed masterpiece by the best band to emerge from the 1990s.