Just in...Radiohead: The King of Limbs

    Everytime Radiohead releases an album, it is an epic event. Four years ago, their last studio release, In Rainbows had everyone talking because of its pay-what-you-want internet download release. This time the progressive nature of its release is not as impactive, but something can still be said about how only rumors existed about a new Radiohead album until Valentines Day, when they suddenly dropped the information bomb that a new album would be coming out in five days! Plus, they released The King of Limbs for digital download ($9 or $14 depending on format, mp3 or wav) a mere five (actually they bumped it up a day to four!) days after it was exposed. The other format available for purchase is $48-$53 the world's first/only "newspaper album" consisting of two clear 10" vinyls, a physical CD copy, digital mp3 or wav download, many large pieces of artwork and 625 smaller ones all included in a oxo-degradable plastic case set to ship May 9th if pre-ordered and June 1st for general sales. A CD will be available for general sale on March 28.
    The title of The King of Limbs was apparently taken from the name of a 1,000 year old oak tree in Wiltshire's Savernake Forest, nearby where they had done some recording for In Rainbows. An alleged picture of the famed tree is here. The artwork for The King of Limbs, on the other hand, is inspired by Another interesting side note, pertaining to In Rainbows, is that most of the song creation for In Rainbows was done in concert and finishing touches were put on songs during tours. Adversely, the only song heard prior to the release of The King of Limbs, "Lotus Flower", was performed as if it was Thom Yorke's solo material. A dance created for "Lotus Flower" can be seen in this music video, along with a guide to the dance steps published in the French magazine Brain Magazine here.
    Describing or writing about Radiohead's music is not an easy task, especially this latest effort. Yet, effort makes it feel like it fell short or something. But, let me assure you it has not; rather, the only criticism that could be given is that it is too short, a mere eight tracks totaling 37 minutes. Regardless, each song has a remarkable amount of depth that one can sink their teeth, or ears, into. First, let me caution you. Do not judge this album upon first listen, give it time to grow on you and expand, much like one of the tracks, it is  a "Lotus Flower". So, give it time, like the first track, to "Bloom". Yorke's first words are fitting: "Open your mouth wide/The universe will sigh". It takes time for intricate art like this to settle on the palate. Now, not true of every song on The King of Limbs. Some songs struck me most instantaneously as jaw-droppingly great: "Bloom", "Morning Mr. Magpie", Separator", "Lotus Flower"; and I knew at once that "Give Up the Ghost" was just plain gorgeous--much like "We Suck Young Blood" from Hail to the Thief (2003). Also, part of the warning, the better quality sound you have the better. This album deserves, or at least requires, excellent headphone sound or paying the full $14 for CD quality sound over mp3. If I had more money, I probably would have done so myself.
    I would like to go in depth more than I have lately on each track:
(1) "Bloom" sets a great beat, with looped drums and piano twinkles back and forth, while Yorke's vocals ooze with eeriness until brass and strings (most likely synthesized) change the atmosphere temporarily, with rising notes to emphasize a blooming effect. The sound really washes into itself, then dies down to the loops and leaves the listener with a nice bass exit.
(2) "Morning Mr. Magpie" is perhaps my favorite, and easily the catchiest tune, in my opinion. It contains probably the most complete melodic element, while other songs are more or less fragments of ideas, that it could be said never blossom fully. I love the bass in this track, the emotion of the singing and the electronic ambient sounds that bring me back to Amnesiac (2001) or Hail to the Thief. The driving nature of the guitar rhythm and bass line is excellently done too, very intricate and tricky to pull off well I'm sure, which they have.
(3) "Little by Little" did not strike me as so amazing at first, but now it is becoming one of my favorites. At first I thought it had this weird rhythm section thing going and sounded a little off kilter, but it settles nicely, and the guitars interweaving back and forth in the stereo sound is really well done. I also like the sitar-like sound in the back ground looped throughout. There is some great poly-rhythm going on too, especially where Yorke sings "A job that's killing you" and the hemiola occurs.
(4) "Feral" is a unique track to be sure. I've seen one site take a poll, and this track was their least favorite, which I definitely do not agree with. Yes, the vocals are indiscernible, but that is what makes it so unique and interesting to explore. It is almost as if Yorke is just sighing and breathing out air exclamations. The beat is driving and the bass entering tops it off, with such a deep menacing sound. Overall, the song contains so much tension it feels like it wants to burst at any moment, until the end when the bass and electronic loops fade out.
(5) "Lotus Flower" contains heavy drum beats and more deep bass, while the vocals are so carefree and almost ethereal in comparison. Half way through, synthesizers add great depth of harmony and the song really becomes quite beautiful.
(6) "Codex" unlike "Feral" is making waves among Radiohead fans as their favorite song, which I actually do not agree with. It is the most acoustic song, if you can call it that, because of mostly consisting of piano chords and Yorke singing. The effect of the piano chords opening and closing up and down is very cool though, almost like a wind chime would. But, the minimal melody, true warmth of the song and nice string spot towards the end are not enough for me to really love "Codex", and I find it my least favorite on the album actually.
(7) "Give Up the Ghost" is really quite beautiful. Yorke's vocal melody sprouts over an acoustic folk-esque guitar and layered falsetto vocal harmonies. The song just keeps building with more and more Yorke's over Yorke's and it cacophonies a bit, but it is pleasant nonetheless.
(8) "Separator" has such a positive sound. An excellent beat lays it down and the melody lays within the framework beautifully. After the guitar enters with the embellished line it almost makes you think that you are listening to Coldplay, something from Parachutes perhaps. An excellent ending song.
    I cannot say how thrilled I am to have another Radiohead album to listen to, and The King of Limbs definitely does not disappoint. Now let us just hope that the rumors and conspiracy theories that after four years of recording with only eight tracks to show for it, there is more material that will surface shortly--in the form of another LP, whatever, who cares, as long as we get more! Yep, that's pretty much how I feel about Radiohead, and love their music so much; definitely one of my favorite bands, and clearly the greatest British rock band since the Beatles. Please go here to enjoy the entire album streamed by the band or just enjoy my favorite track, "Morning Mr. Magpie" in the MixPod.