Really, I have to keep this short. I have been entertaining various lengthy reviews of this album for weeks on end, which is ironic because the album just came out. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology and the mishaps of marketing "leaks" I've had the songs from this album on my computer for some time.
There are good points and there are bad points to this album, and the bad points can be blamed partly on the record label but mostly on the band. My take on this record is that although the release of Kid A continued to build on the mystique of the band's genius that had been established by OK Computer, there was a growing sense that Radiohead was on the path to god-like status with a new army of fans at the price of their long-time supporters. Those of us who have been along for the ride since these four Englishmen played the MTV Beach House accepted Kid A's diversion from conventional alternative guitar patters with open arms and with much praise. But we've also been aching for this band to unleash their tactical guitar warfare, some openly and some in secret. The band and the label have picked up on this and taken a half step back in time, to somewhere around 1998. This album is great, no doubt about it, but is frankly less than compelling.
That's my take on this record and, really, I have to keep this short.
Lost
At Sea
07.01