I may not know the full details of my life or anything, but one thing’s definitely for sure: I’ve listened to one heck of a lot of music over the years. However, out of all the albums I’ve listened to, not one of them has yet simultaneously perplexed and intrigued me as much as Radiohead’s fourth album, Kid A.
A complete far cry from the band's other material, the album fuses innovative electronic beats with murky voices and offbeat instrumentations to create a surreal, trippy atmosphere. While that may sound like-and is-something that’s admittedly off-limits for casual listeners, there’s a lot here to reward those not afraid to plunge headfirst into unknown musical territory, especially the punchy “Idioteque”, the dreamy title track, and the depressing closer “Motion Picture Soundtrack”. Then there’s the lyrics. While they make absolutely no sense about half the time, when they do, they run the gamut from gloomy (“I’m not here/this isn’t happening”) to suicidal (“See you in the next life”) and just plain disturbing (“Cut the kids in half”).
Again, as all that may imply, this is most definitely not the album for those looking for something lighthearted and cheery to play in the car or to dance to at a friend’s party. However, that alone makes this album a marvel. By so starkly dividing itself from all of today’s boring, lifeless radio-friendly hits, Radiohead has truly created an artistic masterpiece that will be remembered through many years to come. After all, who says being different is a bad thing?
Wait, where's the number grade?
© 2018 Ben Parker
All Rights Reserved.
A complete far cry from the band's other material, the album fuses innovative electronic beats with murky voices and offbeat instrumentations to create a surreal, trippy atmosphere. While that may sound like-and is-something that’s admittedly off-limits for casual listeners, there’s a lot here to reward those not afraid to plunge headfirst into unknown musical territory, especially the punchy “Idioteque”, the dreamy title track, and the depressing closer “Motion Picture Soundtrack”. Then there’s the lyrics. While they make absolutely no sense about half the time, when they do, they run the gamut from gloomy (“I’m not here/this isn’t happening”) to suicidal (“See you in the next life”) and just plain disturbing (“Cut the kids in half”).
Again, as all that may imply, this is most definitely not the album for those looking for something lighthearted and cheery to play in the car or to dance to at a friend’s party. However, that alone makes this album a marvel. By so starkly dividing itself from all of today’s boring, lifeless radio-friendly hits, Radiohead has truly created an artistic masterpiece that will be remembered through many years to come. After all, who says being different is a bad thing?
Wait, where's the number grade?
© 2018 Ben Parker
All Rights Reserved.