Kid A review

Radiohead completely changed direction with their 4th album. With heavy use of electronic instruments, minimalistic lyrics and a stubborn refusal to follow any kind of expectation, this really isn't like other albums. Despite initially mixed reviews, it's now hailed as one of the best albums of th 2000s.

Tracks:

1. Everything in it's Right Place: 9/10 a crushing, claustrophobic opener that drowns its listener in it's beautifully constructed electronic musical mayhem.

2. Kid A: 9/10 experimental, arty and delirious, this won't be for everyone but as an abstract mood song it's a mini-masterpiece.

3. The National Anthem: 4/10 audacious and well-played but chaotic, screeching and overdone, this one will just give you a headache. Bring the painkillers.

4. How to Disappear Completely: 10/10 a truly chilling and haunting song with amazing vocals from Thom Yorke. Just don't listen to it if you're feeling down.

5. Treefingers: 6/10 a somewhat maligned instrumental, this is kind of boring but does create a certain mood in a very effective manner.

6. Optimistic: 9/10 the most catchy and traditionally entertaining song on the album, with its miserable imagery it's certainly not optimistic but it is still brilliant. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, suddenly the song starts talking about dinosaurs. Madness.

7. In Limbo: 8/10 a bit dull, but well constructed with an excellent outro.

8. Idioteque: 10/10 who knew such a terrifying apocalyptic nightmare could be so entertaining? Plus, it's the easiest Radiohead song to dance to.

9. Morning Bell: 8/10 although overly stripped back, this is yet another delightfully spine-chilling track.

10. Motion Picture Soundtrack: 9/10 depressing beyond belief, but unbearably moving and unlike The National Anthem it blends its instruments beautifully.

Best song: How to Disappear Completely
Worst song: The National Anthem

Summary: An album which borders on genius. It takes a lot of skill to make an album so alien, experimental and weird so powerful, moving and even entertaining at times. It's not always an album you enjoy, perhaps more one which makes you feel like you're alone in a freezing wasteland in the most wonderfully haunting manner possible. It's not a cheerful listen, but it is surely one of the greatest albums of the 2000s and I admire hugely, although I can't listen to it too often since it's so downbeat.




Final rating: 9/10