On Radiohead's 'Harry Patch (In Memory Of)'

This is how it works in Radiohead's world these days. Things seem quiet and then, sure, a brand new song is out and available at 320 kbps for a pound (that $1.70 for those on this side of the Atlantic), with proceeds benefiting the British Legion.

So, we can't name our price this time around, but is it still worth the coin?

Full of swooning, end-title strings, this is not the Radiohead for those wedded to the band's skittering glitch-rhythms or Jonny Greenwood's shape-shifting guitar. In fact, there's no guitars, drums or "rock" elements at all.

This is Radiohead in symphony, Thom Yorke's angelic voice on a battlefield's midnight clear. Dedicated to Britain's last survivor of World War I (and not an impressionistic callback to microtonal composer Harry Partch), the song sounds exactly like the elegy it is, with Yorke's most pointed anti-war sentiments coming through the helpless last words of a veteran to a war that was thought would "end all wars." 

The song has the feel of a weary ascension and reaches a grim, delicately furious peak at the midway point with a swell of strings that nearly overtakes the line "give your leaders a gun and let them each fight it it out," taking time to catch its breath before settling into the original melody.

While trying to guess whether this offers a hint toward Radiohead's next album is probably pointless, even as a one-off the song stands as a beautiful, achingly sad and cinematic warning for a good cause. And, chances are, it costs less than your morning coffee.

Check it out for yourself here.

-- Chris Barton

Photo: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[john]

Thom's angelic voice? really?

I think his voice is the worst thing about this

[Grant V]

I believe you're describing what you'd like to hear happening in the track, or what Radiohead were hoping to write...something "cinematic" and"delicately furious." Just because there is a string line (both Greenwood's contribution and Yorke playing a string voice on keyboard) doesn't make it "swooning" or "full". This track has the most pathetically straightforward string parts imaginable - it shows none of the basic counterpoint or harmony possibilities of a quartet, let alone a "symphony." Yes, Greenwood does what he can within the confines of a sub-Coldplay chord change, but it's just not possible to improve the fundamentals.

-Really disappointed longtime fan

[Mr. Noblet]

Wow, Grant Valdes, you must be a music expert.

How many years have you studied music theory?
How many symphonic compositions have you written?

Does the fact that you write awful lyrics/music with "The Poopy Mirror" effect your opinion?
Are you angry that you can't even give your music away for free?
Does that make you bitter towards talented bands like Radiohead that are far more talented and successful than you'll ever be?

[Laetitia Lawrence]

Hate on, haters. Like you won't be elbowing your girlfriend in the face for tickets the next time they come around.

[Keenan Olson]

Grant V... suck a big fat long one buddy. this song is nothing but moving. You know nothing about music, or emotion obviously. I hope you're not a serial killer.