KID A

On its release this baffled many - with some suggesting it was to Radiohead what 'Metal Machine Music' was to Lou Reed - but to my ears it is simply the logical extension and progression of what was begun on OK Computer. With Thom Yorke becoming fascinated with the idea of totally deconstructing their 'pop' music model and delving deeper and deeper into the use of sequencers and loops, Kid A takes Ok Computer removes 90% of the guitars, chops up all the vocal lines and attempts to remove anything resembling a chorus. You know you're for a long strange trip as soon as the stuttering, jumpy Everything in its Right Place starts. Mumbling vocals, drums on the edge of breaking up, the band tumbles pell mell into a netherworld of broken chords, spitting electronic bursts of noise and Krautrock-like fields of jam-band clamour. There are further nods to Can and Faust, a tip of the hat to Joy Division in the thunderous bass line from National Anthem, a hefty thank you to the likes of Autechre and Aphex Twin and all with the bands undimmable ear for a goof tune - despite their most nefariosuly unmelodic intentions. National Anthem is a rollercoaster ride of noise driven by the stomring fuzzed bass. How to Disappear Completely floats on a icy swathe of acoustic guitar. Idioteque is a clashing, brash and metallic piece of electronic wilfulness. This is a hard album to listen to. It will alienate many. But prolonged exposure will reveal bounteous depths. There is tons here to enjoy, to mull over, to feast on again and again. Excellent.

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