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Radiohead Delve Into Dubstep on 'The King of Limbs' -- Track-by-Track Breakdown
- Posted on Feb 18th 2011 4:30PM by Tom Davenport
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You can buy the digital album at their 'The King of Limbs' site (physical copies will available via XL's web site soon). Read on for our track-by-track analysis of 'The King of Limbs' to learn more about Thom Yorke's latest masterpiece.
1. 'Bloom'
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Few things are as exciting as hearing the opening sequence of a new Radiohead album. Here, we're presented with a stuttering piano sample and grainy drum beats as if an old jazz beat has been chopped and pasted together, while Thom's familiar tones float on a vast breeze. It's new ground for the band, perhaps closest to 'Kid A' in production value, but nodding politely to the likes of Mount Kimbie and their ambient dubstep. Droning ambiance fades the song out, which somehow sounds wider than our speakers. Producer Nigel Godrich has been up to his psycho-acoustic tricks again.
2. 'Morning Mr. Magpie'
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Have Radiohead recruited a member of Battles to guest on guitar? The tapping groove between the drum and guitar swing, while a vocal with a good ounce of attitude helps punctuate the track along with an occasional bass note. A reverberant breakdown almost suggests this track was the result of a stoner jam, the musicians pouting with concentration and demonstrating restraint from an explosion of chords -- though it ultimately simmers into something of a non-ending.
3. 'Little by Little'
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The wonky guitar lead is intentionally a touch out of tune, while clockwork beats chatter. This oozes style; uniquely Radiohead, visceral but with that familiar angle of melancholy that made them their name in the '90s. It captivates but is avant-garde enough to evade a description in words. The strongest track so far, but possibly difficult to translate onstage.
4. 'Feral'
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The dubstep influence really is in force on this record. Yet again, drum beats are sequenced, waves of sine tones and dancing room ambiance flutter around the wide stereo field. While it's an enjoyable listen, it is utterly incoherent. Traditional Radiohead fans might turn away from the path the band have taken here, but fans of the 'Kid A'/'Amnesiac' era will rejoice.
5. 'Lotus Flower'
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The album might be named after an ancient tree in Savernake Forest, but you'd think the band were lost there for a decade with these occasional whiffs of insanity, such as on the intro here. It quickly reverts to accessible forms, presenting a vocal hook and verse/chorus structure -- quite a shock considering the attitudes presented on the first tracks. They don't half sound futuristic, but perhaps this puts them at risk of being ahead of their time... again. ('Lotus Flower' also happens to be the first video from the album and showcases Yorke's oddball dance moves.)
6. 'Codex'
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A grand piano is sucked dry of its majestic tone for an under-sampled, headphone-centric production approach, but Yorke's vocals are clear and delivered with sincerity. Electronic tones wave gently as if a sitar was strumming and distant brass parts hum along with his voice. There is beauty here, but does it fall short of being a classic? The 'Kid A' style seeps through again with wonky orchestral strings and deep, clear chords may just have you weeping.
7. 'Give Up the Ghost'
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Folk guitar parts carry this song, while two subtly driven backing vocals sit in independent speakers. A small observation for the keenest fans: the lead vocal uses the same reverb as 'House of Cards' from 'In Rainbows,' which is a room sample from Tottenham House in the forest where the actual King of Limbs tree resides. Perhaps it pops up elsewhere on the record, too. The song gently builds, with gradual elements settling atop a Sigur Ros-style pad of reversing vocal samples before finishing with bird sounds and ambient noise.
8. 'Separator'
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The closest the album comes to having a love song -- not that we have a clue what Yorke is saying. It is as if a young couple are flirting, holding hands for the first time while the Greenwood brothers perform a soundtrack that's a mix of R&B grooves and a swirling jam on FX units. Phil Selway drums like he'll be executed if he strays from the groove, but this fits the hypnotic finale that was presumably designed to send you off to sleep as you listen in bed.
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Add a Comment
NOT DUBSTEP...and this album SUCKS
June 02 2011 at 10:47 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
rebel_kid_moz
I am quite ambivalent about this album, and do wonder if this album will be a grower or not.
'Little by Little' is great
john doe
Dubstep? Are you kidding me? Does this reviewer know what dubstep is? Gimme a break. Where do they find these writers?
I thoroughly enjoyed the album by the way. I encourage people to go buy it and listen for yourself.
turtle
2 replies to turtle's comment
It's terrible.
I don't think any band in rock history has wasted so
much talent by going so far up their own arse.
It took them 4 years to make that?
Really?
Radioheadless at Austin City Limits
Dude you are way off your rocker. Codex, Lotus Flower , and Give Up the Ghost are 3 of the best Radiohead songs I have ever heard. Not sure about the others yet because I cant stop listening to these 3. Brilliant!
February 19 2011 at 3:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
rebel_kid_moz
With regards to your comment, I suppose Radiohead are continuing their foray into experimenting with electronic music.
The new album is disappointing sadly and I wish they would look back to their past and remember that their guitar soundscapes were so compelling and exciting.
Mr Greenwood should definitely be playing more guitar and maybe Radiohead should be more blunter on occasion because they are quite cryptic on this record.
6 Comments