Rating: NNN
Radiohead’s initial plan for following up last year’s Kid A disc was to release an EP of other songs from the same sessions. That eventually grew into a full album that became known as the “proper” album in light of the left-field blips and bleeps of Kid A. Clearly, the band should have stuck with the original idea. Amnesiac (out Tuesday) is a solid EP masquerading as a full album. Despite all Radiohead’s protestations to the contrary, this is a B-sides collection, with a few outstanding tracks like Pyramid Song, Knives Out and Like Spinning Plates, and a lot of filler. Many will be thrilled to hear guitars and Thom Yorke’s voice again, but even the most dedicated fans will be baffled by the demo-quality songs and utter lack of drama here. With their meltdown out of the way, perhaps Radiohead can get back to making music without rethinking each note a dozen times.
