One of the many perks of working on The Mirror is the free CDs, yet it’s not so often that record companies will actually entrust our impressionable minds with promos of upcoming albums. However, thanks to the wonders of the Internet, not to mention that this band abstains from Metallica-like belly aching, Radiohead’s new album, Amnesiac, is now available for listening.

And how great is this? The band that took three years to return to the scene after Ok Computer, follows up Kid A less than a year later. Following in the footsteps of Kid A, Amnesiac is the next step forward; all grown up, if you will. So, here’s the track-by-track breakdown:

1) Packt like sardines in a crushd tin box
A funky Trifecta of “Stomp”, “Idioteque,” and lyrics only Radiohead could come up with, it seems like the band is letting out all the pent up aggression that accumulated throughout Kid A. An excellent cut that leaves you wondering what they’re going to do next.

2) Pyramid song
Outstanding. The band’s guitar wizard Johnny Greenwood recently said that he believes the song to be one of their best. He’s right. Like “Planet Telex,” “Big Ideas,” “True Love Waits” and “Karma Police” ivory sounds bring Radiohead to another level. Don’t miss it.

3) Pull/Pulk revolving doors
A slamming bass loop repeats over and over as Yorke’s voice sounds like it’s been put in a blender. Cool stuff.

4) You and whose army?
My favorite song on the album. A slow guitar cord leads the song to the 1 min 30 second mark before drums and a piano rip the chorus into another dimension. As Yorke wails, “You want to know? I’m so scared,” one can only think: this is the best band in the world.

5) I might be wrong
Ah, the return of the rock. Power chords repeat over the track, which is reminiscent of “Electioneering” and “In Limbo,” but better than both combined.

6) Knives Out
Easily the most mainstream song on the album, and the guitar playing is fantastic. Yorke has routinely said on tour that this song is “about cannibalism.” Mainstream indeed.

7) Amnesiac/morning bell
Radiohead doing a remix? Yup. This song is hardly recognizable from the one that appeared on Kid A (known then as simply “Morning Bell”), and I’m still not sure which one I like better. Still, at least this “remix” actually changes the song, rather than laying a heavy bass line behind some crappy Sisqo’ lyrics.

8) Dollars and cents
For some odd reason, this song reminds me of something that Air might perform. There is a very spacey and light flavor to this, and its good.

9) Hunting bears
I agree with early reviews that say this sounds like a guitar warm up. Yet, its damn cool to listen to, and this minute plus experiment is still better than any rap or DMB song.

10) Like spinning plates
Strangely operatic. A great song that takes Yorke close to the direction of his chum, Bjork. Interestingly hypnotic.

11) Life in a glass house
This song ties “Pyramid song” for number two in my book. A jazz quartet jams out like no other when the chorus kicks in, and it results in one of the most amazing Radiohead songs in ages.

-Sean Hayes

Fairfield Mirror
27.04.01