One of the most musically influential bands of all time Radiohead has finally released their eighth album “The King of Limbs.”
Formed in 1985 this English alternative rock quintet has popularized their music exponentially as the years have passed. Led by vocalist Thom Yorke Radiohead has revolutionized a variety of musical genres with their eight albums. In 2005 Radiohead was deservedly ranked number 73 in Rolling Stone’s listThe Greatest Artists of All Time.
When their first single “Creep was released in 1992, it was not successful until it appeared on their first full-length album, titled Pablo Honey.” With the release of this album Radiohead began their journey of changing the way that many people view alternative rock. Followed by “The Bends” (1995) and “OK Computer (1997) Radiohead jolted themselves into international fame.
In 2000, Radiohead released Kid A.” They demonstrated an immense progression in their music by integrating experimental electronic music with Krautrock post-punk and jazz influences. This evolution of their musical style was also continued in 2001 when “Amnesiac” was released.
“Hail to the Thief” (2003) was Radiohead’s last album with major record label EMI and the album was dominated with the rock sounds of Radiohead’s guitarists Ed O’Brien and Johnny Greenwood and mixed with electronic rhythms.
Now an independent band Radiohead continued to release brilliant records “In Rainbows” (2007) and most recently “The King of Limbs.”
With the same five members: Thom Yorke on vocals guitar and piano Johnny Greenwood on guitars keyboards and other miscellaneous instruments Ed O’Brien with back-up vocals and guitar Colin Greenwood on bass and synthesizers and Phil Selway on drums and percussion Radiohead’s newest album proves to be yet another unique and amazing album.
The dominance of Thom Yorke’s vocals on “The King of Limbs” has led people to believe that his solo project “Atoms for Peace has been a major influence for this LP. It could even be said that The King of Limbs” is simply a part two to Thom Yorke’s solo album “The Eraser.”
The fact that “The King of Limbs” is only eight tracks and just short of 38 minutes has proven to be a disappointment for many diehard fans since it has been almost four years since their last full-length album.
When it was announced on Feb. 14 that their album would be released on their website for digital download on Feb. 19th fans were in a frenzy. When the album ended up coming out a day earlier people were frantic to listen to it which is not the state of mind anyone should be in the first time listening to a Radiohead masterpiece.
Pulling the title from the name of one of Europe’s oldest trees that is rooted in Wiltshire’s Savernake Forest “The King of Limbs” can be recognized by Yorke’s ardent vocals and the whimsical electronic guitar and brass beats. The first half of the record is rather hectic as opposed to the calming and smooth sounds of “In Rainbows but it is not unlike the sounds of Amnesiac” mixed with a little bit of Yorke’s album “The Eraser.”
The glitchy and melodic beats of each song scream Radiohead though the under usage of Johnny Greenwood’s guitar playing.
The first track “Bloom reels the listener in with a feathering piano loop right before an off-kilter beat begins and the mixture of unique brass rhythms envelop listeners into the beginning of the album.
Morning Mr. Magpie” continues with the rickety sounds but dives into a more eerie sound with a distant humming. The song is intensified when you realize that Yorke appears to be demanding something back that was stolen from him by a mysterious person.
Once the album reaches the third track “Little by Little guitar riffs become more prominent and the flustered-sounding percussion remains. The darkness of this song would perfectly fit behind the credits of a psycho-thriller movie.
Feral” is a predominantly instrumental track that appears to be influenced by the Latin musical flavor while somehow mixing a post-dubstep ambience. The percussion vibrates through your whole body while listening to this song and gives you a very abstract feeling.
After “Feral the album splits from the first four tracks and transitions into a more rounded and opulent sound beginning with track five, Lotus Flower.” The music video for this song was released to the Internet the same day that the LP came out and portrays Thom Yorke flailing his arms around and being the eccentric person that he is. This portrayal of Yorke fits the paranoid staccato rhythm of this song.
“Codex” arguably stands out more than any other song on this epic album. The piano ballad is calmly paced with bursts of brass and strings that prepares listeners for the final two tracks of the album.
“Give Up the Ghost” opens with an acoustic riff that continues on a loop and matched with Yorke’s soothing voice it turns into a soothing lullaby that could relax anyone. He bids listeners to come together for a last stand and surrender into the arms of a lover.
Concluding the album with the longest track “Separator Radiohead moves away from the hazy lull of the previous two songs and brings the listeners back to the intense and quirky sounds of the beginning half of the album. The piano chord that underlies Yorke’s overpowering vocals leads into fluttering guitars that drift off into a murmuring whisper.
The King of Limbs” is an evocative soundtrack that leads listeners to believe there is more to come in the future. The eight tracks may be slightly disappointing to some fans due to interweaving of loops and electronic beats that replace the recognizable Johnny Greenwood guitar riffs. After a few listens however fans can come to appreciate the prominent vocal’s of Yorke’s voice and the talent it takes to create an album of this caliber.
Radiohead continues to progress in their own fashion leaving their audience on their toes. Fans can at least be encouraged that with the release of this album Radiohead will hopefully be touring the world in no time.
The dominance of Yorke’s vocals on “The King of Limbs” has led people to believe that his solo project “Atoms for Peace has been a major influence for this LP. It could even be said that the album is a part two to Yorke’s solo album, The Eraser.”
The fact that the album is only eight tracks and just short of 38 minutes has proven to be a disappointment for many diehard fans since it has been almost four years since their last full-length album.
When it was announced Feb. 14 that their album would be released online for digital download on Feb. 19 fans were in a frenzy. When the album ended up coming out a day earlier people were frantic to listen to it which is not the state of mind anyone should be in the first time listening to a Radiohead masterpiece.
Pulling the title from the name of one of Europe’s oldest trees that is rooted in Wiltshire’s Savernake Forest “The King of Limbs” can be recognized by Yorke’s ardent vocals and the whimsical electronic guitar and brass beats. The first half of the record is rather hectic as opposed to the calming and smooth sounds of “In Rainbows but it is not unlike the sounds of Amnesiac” mixed with a little bit of “The Eraser.”
The glitchy and melodic beats of each song scream Radiohead despite the underusage of Johnny Greenwood’s guitar playing.
The first track “Bloom reels the listener in with a feathering piano loop right before an off-kilter beat begins and the mixture of unique brass rhythms envelops listeners into the beginning of the album.
Morning Mr. Magpie” continues with the rickety sounds but dives into a more eerie sound with a distant humming. The song is intensified when you realize that Yorke appears to be demanding something back that was stolen from him by a mysterious person.
Once the album reaches the third track “Little by Little guitar riffs become more prominent and the flustered-sounding percussion remains. The darkness of
this song would perfectly fit behind the credits of a psycho-thriller movie.
Feral” is a predominantly instrumental track that appears to be influenced by the Latin musical flavor while somehow mixing a post-dubstep ambience. The percussion vibrates through your whole body while listening to this song and gives you a very abstract feeling.
After “Feral the album splits from the first four tracks and transitions into a more rounded and opulent sound beginning with track five, Lotus Flower.” The music video for this song was released to the Internet the same day that the LP came out and portrays Yorke flailing his arms around and being the eccentric person that he is. This portrayal of Yorke fits the paranoid staccato rhythm of this song.
“Codex” arguably stands out more than any other song on this epic album. The piano ballad is calmly paced with bursts of brass and strings that prepares listeners for the final two tracks of the album.
“Give Up the Ghost” opens with an acoustic riff that continues on a loop and matched with Yorke’s soothing voice it turns into a soothing lullaby that could relax anyone. He bids listeners to come together for a last stand and surrender into the arms of a lover.
Concluding the album with the longest track “Separator Radiohead moves away from the hazy lull of the previous two songs and brings the listeners back to the intense and quirky sounds of the beginning half of the album. The piano chord that underlies Yorke’s overpowering vocals leads into fluttering guitars that drift off into a murmuring whisper.
The King of Limbs” is an evocative soundtrack that leads listeners to believe there is more to come in the future. The eight tracks may be slightly disappointing to some fans due to interweaving of loops and electronic beats that replace the recognizable Johnny Greenwood guitar riffs. After a few listens however fans can come to appreciate the prominent vocal’s of Yorke’s voice and the talent it takes to create an album of this caliber.
Radiohead continues to progress in their own fashion leaving their audience on their toes. Fans can at least be encouraged that with the release of this album Radiohead will hopefully be touring the world in no time.