Radiohead
There There
(Parlophone)

The list of opening singles from Radiohead albums is an illustrious roll-call, and one which contains possibly the most electrifying and also the most beautiful rock songs ever written, in the shape of "Paranoid Android" and "Pyramid Song" respectively. Consequently whatever song was plucked from their latest crop already had an extremely palpable weight of expectation upon its shoulders, even before a chord was struck. Thankfully "There There" doesn't let the side down when called upon to pull something special out of the bag. It's been well documented by now that Thom Yorke nearly cried at the thought of losing this song forever, and indeed the prospect of it drifting around semi-finished, in the midst of the Radiohead workshop for the rest of its time, is a terrifying prospect.

First and foremost it's a rock song; striking down the critics who have been more than vocal in their disappointment at the absence of menacing guitar solos a la The Bends and OK Computer. But it's also one of the most achingly beautiful things they've done - Colin Greenwood's brooding bass line offering solace to Yorke's heart rending delivery of "Just because you feel it, doesn't mean it's there". Phil Selway's drums are undisputedly gigantic.

While the A-side "There There" scavenges through the rubble of OK Computer and The Bends in search of a few traces of cement to smoothly hold everything together, both of the B-sides owe more to Kid A and Amnesiac than the band's earlier work. "Paperbag Writer" sounds like it was written heavily under the influence of the Greenwood Brothers; Jonny's electronic wizardry combines with one of the sexiest basslines ever, delivered expertly by Colin. "Where Bluebirds Fly" meanwhile, will be familiar to most from its usage as the intro to the band's live performances and here it's enveloped with some beautiful vocals from Thom.

Eclectic Honey
26.05.03