Radiohead — Amnesiac

Everyone was already waiting for this album. After Kid A's release the band made an announcement to release a second album from the same recording sessions. Amnesiac is the end-result and personally I'm statisfied, but Kid A had a bigger impact on me.

With track 'Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box' the album opens with a slick beat and a warm and fuzzy synth melody. Thom Yorke's voice fits the melody nicely and the song ends after 4 minutes without really leaving an impression. Then 'Pyramid Song' starts. It's Radiohead's first single from Amnesiac and with it's warm piano sounds and the memories from the stunning video-clip in my head it might be one of Radiohead's best songs.

With 'Pull/Pulk Revolving Doors' we get an Autechre inspired track with strange backward vocals. It's a nice track and almost dancable I guess, but not really outstanding. 'You And Whose Army?' starts as a song from the '50's. A bit depressing but Radiohead also give us some of their finest moments. Track 5, 'I Might Be Wrong' is just as good and doesn't dissapoint me either. It's not really experimental and even reminds me a bit of their past. With 'Knives Out' we go even further in the past. This track is the most catchiest of all and will even please the most die-hard Ok Computer fan. With the catchy guitar melody and Thom's great vocal-lines, this will be a favourite live.

'Morning Bell' is a song we know from Kid A. I don't see the point to put it on this album too, but the Amnesiac-edition is just as good. 'Dollars & Cents' has a nice jazzy rythm and is a dark and mellow song. It doesn't really stand out. 'Hunting Bears' is an instrumental and is nothing special. 2 minutes of guitar sounds is not a good song in my book. 'Like Spinning Plates' sounds nice. It's a melody played backwards with Thom's vocals on top of it. A good idea and it sometimes actually works. Last song 'Life In A Glass House' is the highlight of the album. The band recorded this track with some additional jazz-musicians. The song is jazz and pop blended together. The atmosphere reached is depressing and dark. I find it one of Amnesiac's treasures.

In conclusion Amnesiac is a good album but not as good as it's predesser. The same impact as with 'Kid A' is not reached. Ofcourse it has to do with that I'm used to the sound now but personally I don't like these songs as much. Get this album for 'Pyramid Song' and 'Life In A Glass House', those are Radiohead's finest moments.