First single from slightly popular Oxford band's Amnesiac album

Radiohead
Pyramid Song
(Parlophone)

Rating: 6/10

Piano kicks in straight away, then strings then various whirrings (like Gruff Super-Furry whirling that whirly tube thing)

Thom Yorke *ooooooooooooos*, takes big breath, more *oooooooos*and his voice (the one filed under 'M' for mournful) sings

"jumped in the river what did i see, black eyed angels swam with meeeeeeeeeeeee a moonful of stars and astral cars and all the faders(?) I used to see all my lovers were there with me all my past and future oh we all went to heaven in a little row boat there was nothing to fear nothing to doubt"

Strings, piano, whirring. "ooooooooooooooooooos". Phil's lovely drums kick in bringing it all together, Thom's off again.  Much electronica/whirring. Thom... fab drumming... thick, heavy cellos (easy on the banjos). "jumped into the river" then repeats singing the rest of words. Piano chords again, high hat and Thom's layered voice... cellos once more, stellar chorus singing in the background?

It all fades out (like the chartlife of Know Your Enemy by the Manics) and my cd walkman burps (no really).

So Thom's back to writing personal lyrics again like on The Bends.  Weeeeeeellll I'm bemused by the choice of this one for a single when there's True Love Waits/ Lift/ Nude and god knows how many other beautiful songs. Can't make out why it took so long to name it (for ages it was previously called 'Egyptian Song' but it was never certain).

This first single in three years will either do really well and astound the TOTP crowd who will not know how to dance to it. Or it will bomb. You choose cos I can't. Am I gonna go buy the single? Dunno. In the meantime i'm giving it 6/10 (Phil Selway gets 11/10) and nope I'm not selling you my South Park gig ticket.

*Puffs out cheeks, bulges eyes and makes exsasperated gestures with hands above head like Thom in the Meeting People Is Easy video*.

Sal Smithson

Brain Farm
05.01