4Q Magazine

Radiohead- The King Of Limbs (Review)

by Asa Masters on 3.03.11


Radiohead- The King Of Limbs
(Self-Released- 2011)

With the sudden release of The King Of Limbs, certain journalists from high reputation publications were complaining about Thom Yorke’s lack of consideration for their deadlines, saying that he had made their lives difficult by releasing the album without any warning.

This prompted a desperate race to upload the first review of the new record, with some publications releasing track-by-track reviews, and listing a review after only one listen. This all seemed so asinine, it was as if each publication assumed that their particular one off listen would reveal any worthy opinion of the album. Thom Yorke is clearly not troubled by journalistic deadlines, and why should he be?

Enough talk about the trivial nature of journalism, as there is indeed a brand new Radiohead album out, and how refreshing that this record appeared without any hype or bloated expectations. Being one of the biggest bands in the world, the Oxford-based group have kept their operations mostly out of sight, since the era of In Rainbows (2007), which was perhaps the bands most precise, professional album of their career.

In Rainbows left a benchmark for the band, and I was eager to see if their latest offering would match it in tonal mastery and melodic composition. Opening track Bloom fades in with a rolling, off kilter piano and crackling synth, before a brilliantly math induced drum kit introduces Phil Selway into the groove. It’s not long before Yorke’s trademark vocals emerge; “Open your mouth wide/a universal sigh/ and while the ocean blooms/ it’s what keeps me alive.”

It’s clear from the first track that The King OF Limbs is very different from their last album, but of course, that’s a good thing. Radiohead have always strived for reinvention, while still keeping their unique framework. It also seems important to note that comparison between albums is not what it’s all about; the focus should be on new music, the here and now. Bloom is a great rhythmic opener to the album, and it precedes tracks Morning Mr Magpie and Little By Little, with the latter having the distinct taste of a Radiohead song.

It has already been suggested that Thom Yorke’s influence on this record is greater that previous releases, and this seems to be a fair analysis in some places. However, it is clear that the rest of the band are still playing a significant part in the overall production of the album, as well as long-term producer Nigel Godrich. At thirty-seven minutes, and eight tracks long, The King Of Limbs is the bands shortest release to date. About the recording of a long play record, Yorke said: “But we’ve all said that we can’t possibly dive into that again. It’ll kill us.”

The King Of Limbs is a grower, for sure, but it is distinctly Radiohead, and its great to know they are still producing music, and more importantly creating music that is not commercially subservient. The guys know their stuff, and they do what they do very well, and I’m sure they always will. They’re a band that will always be measured against their previous work, but ultimately I’m just glad they’re still here, and still working.

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