Sometimes reality is more exciting than the movies. Although if I were a proverbial alien witnessing culture today one wouldn’t think this is a factual statement. Personal inflection on one’s own feelings and experiences has taken a backseat to the emotional roller coaster rides we see in high profile celebrity relationships - short and exhilarating. Or we are able to experience the deception, greed and love, once granted only to housewives enthralled in soap operas, now available in prime time from millionaire frauds to aristocratic singles. Everyone is vying for position to gain some meaning in a seemingly meaningless time, and the quick fix seems is being offered by our favorite television networks. Television has become the modern day SOMA; the timing is far from perfect. Now, if ever this is the time to understand our humanness, the world is getting smaller and more violent. Countries are fighting to spread ideology and wars are being fought that seemingly have no end. Violence has become the primary form of communication and soon human rights will take a backseat to fear. Where am I going with this? Well, in my humble opinion, I find music is a great source of personal inflection. It has the ability to bring out emotions, creativity; and as I learned in college music has the ability to enable a person to identify one’s own experiences and feelings with another person thereby validating one’s own thought process. Here lies the importance of Radiohead’s new album Hail to the Thief.
Hail to the Thief brings out the best of Radiohead’s creativity that has evolved from the Rock and Roll days of Pablo Honey to the experimental Amnesiac. By the way I keep reading that fans of Kid and Amnesiac are going to be the banner waving fans for this album, and I modestly disagree. I think it brings back memories of more guitar laden songs from OK computer. Hail to the Thief begins with 2+2=5, which has a poignant political message criticizing current political leader’ bombastic opinions and their lack of honest decision making policies. The song gently begins with Yorke asking “are you such a dreamer to put the world to rights” in a seemingly Lennonesque tone, but unlike Lennon the song rolls into a hectic guitar riff ending ultimately in futility. Does this allude to Bush, how the hell should I know, and I don’t really care, but it helps me generate the anger and disgust I often feel when I actually pay attention to politics.
The resourceful fans that browse fan club websites like W.A.S.T.E or followmearound.com have probably discovered the lyrics already and have them printed out and pasted on the inside of their lockers and office cubicles. I too have been coveting the scraps of knowledge like the groping relatives who ransacked Dickinson’s apartment accumulating scraps of paper wantonly strewn about in order to create an anthology. Yes I am also one of the mentally challenged who tried to figure out the lyrics to Bella Lugosi’s Dead, and also toiled on what the hell Yorke was saying in Fake Plastic Trees and How to Disappear completely. Thank god for the Internet, now I can sing along with confidence. The lyrics in Hail to the Thief are exceptional again, and once you figure them out you will have the edge at any alternative party serving colored martinis and lightly blaring trance music in the background. Or you can go to http://www.ateaseweb.com/songs/index.php, but don’t tell anyone I told you about this.
Following 2+2=5 Hail to the Thief rolls into Sit Down – Stand Up; you probably can figure out the gist of the meaning in this song. This song showcases Radiohead’s strong ability to utilize layering to create a sense of urgency, which may be used to build up the energy required to combat the woes of the complacent. In typical Ravelesque form the song evolves from gentle melodies to a heart pounding chorus sending out a message calling for help to those willing to listen.
To get warmed up for the album try Where I end and you begin. This song showcases strong base riffs which always drew me into Radiohead ever since I first listened to Airbag. It also brings out the best of Thom Yorke, in my opinion, not too much melodrama but plenty of emotion. It also has one of the best choruses of all time “I WILL EAT YOU ALIVE, I WILL EAT YOU ALIVE……” Yikes I love it give me more, more, more. Of course the radio hit the professionals chose is There There, you’ve heard it, make your opinion. I think it’s a great example of what to expect from the album, “just cuz you feel it doesn’t mean it’s there” is a classic line. The song brings together solid harmonic choruses from York and excellent base lines.
For those of you whose favorite songs were Idioteque and Fitter Happier, Hail to the Thief gives you the Gloaming. OK not quite Fitter Happier but just as confusing. I love songs that drive pop fans out the door, or over to the cheese plate, far from the chaos.
Overall it’s a rock solid performance blending what I feel is the best example of social commentary coupled with artistic talent that I have witnessed in years. When Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes learns to sing, or when Christina Aguilera gets some talent Yorke may be challenged, but until then this is it.
Don’t miss Radiohead’s tour coming soon. The first US show that has been publicized is Field Day on June 7th where they headline with Beck. MTV is also doing one of their famous $2 bill shows at the Beacon in NY. Stay in touch with the band by registering at WASTE (http://www.waste.uk.com) and don’t miss out on seeing them live. I had the opportunity to see them a few times during their last tour and it is worth the work that is required to get tickets. |