Radiohead
Knives Out
(Parlophone)

Rating: 7/12

"Knives Out" is definitely one of the standout tracks from last year's Amnesiac, and was the obvious single from the album. It could have fit onto OK Computer as easily as it fit onto Amnesiac. The intricate guitar parts are somewhat reminiscent of their much older, "My Iron Lung," while the general ambience and pervasive melancholy are very much recent-era Radiohead.

The lush, electronic blurps and swells of "Worrywort" very much point to Amnesiac and Kid A, and their keyboard-loop and feedback laced "pop" structuring. "Fog" has a sparse beginning with a simple bassline accompanied by a single keyboard melody, and a few quiet clicking rhythm track. But, vocals, thick drums, and a few subtle layers bring the song to a crashing end.

Both "Worrywort" and "Fog" are on the import version of the single while the domestic version offers only one B-side, "Cuttooth." The song is little more than a pumped up piano driven song, given muscle by its energetic drumming, swirling layers of noise, and distraught vocals. The energy is a waste however as the song itself is devoid of any interesting elements; sonically, they've done this for two albums, and melodically, they moved far beyond this when they released The Bends.

Of course the two better B-sides are on the import version of the single while the completely unnecessary B-side is easily available on the cheaper, domestic version. Luckily, the "better" songs aren't so good that they're worth going out of your way for. Radiohead's B-sides for The Bends and OK Computer were all much better than any from their last two albums, so if you haven't heard those, investigate those before looking to the "Knives Out" singles for any overlooked Radiohead gems.

Sean Hammond

Fakejazz
22.02.02