Madison Square Garden
New York
August 7, 2001

RADIOHEAD'S Thom Yorke is an unlikely savior of rock and roll - a twitchy, soft-spoken introvert who employs a swooning falsetto more often than a rebel yell, a frontman who can't quite pull off a Pete Townshendesque guitar-wielding mid-air split, but is always willing to try.

Such risk-taking has long been evident in Radiohead's music, but not always in its live show. Now that the band knows how fiercely loyal its growing legion of fans is, however, it's willing to take a few more chances in concert - including some political statements (for electric cars, against the G8) and even using humor.

When he reaches the playfully teasing "You and Whose Army?" from the new Amnesiac CD, Yorke coyly incites the crowd; on camera it looks as if the whole Madison Square Garden has his back. Which it does.

Throughout the band's intense two-hour, 10-minute show, the crowd looked for ways to participate other than greeting songs with huge ovations - clapping along to the odd rhythms of "Everything in Its Place" or singing along with the chorus of "Karma Police" and chanting with "Optimistic." Though Radiohead has become known for layering its pristine computerized sounds into idiosyncratic songs, the British quintet has anthemic rock in its heart, as the underrated album The Bends showed way back in 1995. In concert, the interaction with the audience seems to warm up Yorke and the boys, melting away icy precision to reveal more aggressive, powerful ideas.

"Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Can" became a huge, fuzzed-out guitar solo for Jonny Greenwood and a showcase for drummer Phil Selway.

"I Might Be Wrong" was sped up, with the wacky country-guitar lick moving front and center, sweeping Yorke into one of his frenzies as he pounded the tambourines like a cowpoke possessed. The rarity "Talk Show Host" became a blistering arena rocker, as guitarist Ed O'Brien and bassist Colin Greenwood turned up a Nirvana vibe.

It's the achingly beautiful ballads that distinguish Radiohead from the rest, however, and "Pyramid Song" and the brilliant "Fake Plastic Trees," which featured Yorke's most poignant vocal, did not disappoint.

Neither did buzzed-about Scottish quartet the Beta Band, which opened the show with an eclectic half-hour set filled with musical left turns and tempo changes. Drawing from The Three EPs and the new Hot Shots II CD, singer Steve Mason and the gang opted for a more laid-back approach on songs like "Dry the Rain" and "Dr. Baker." Beta Band doesn't yet have many anthems to stir up crowds the way Radiohead does, though "Dry the Rain" comes close.

Nevertheless, it shares with Radiohead the powerful belief that experimentation can still be fun and accessible. With three successful experimental albums in a row, Radiohead proves that old and new can be combined to create something familiar, yet challenging. It also proves rock isn't close to dead yet.

Glenn Gamboa

Newsday
09.08.01