Snap Judgment: Radiohead's 'The King of Limbs' [Updated]
Thom Yorke jerks around in the video for "Lotus Flower," the first single from Radiohead's just-released eighth studio album, "The King of Limbs," like someone only just discovering that the body's job is to move. In the clip, choreographed by the British kinesthesis expert Wayne McGregor, Yorke shakes, wobbles and nearly drools to the song's needling dance beat, sometimes elegantly loosening up, only to shake back into awkwardness.
The singer's moves and his bowler hat recall the physical comedians of the silent film era, when onscreen human motion still seemed artificial, almost surreal. It's a typical Radiohead moment in some ways, a visceral expression of the struggle to stay fully human in a world that's been both enhanced and corrupted by technology. Yet it's new, too, mostly because of the music behind Yorke, and specifically the sound coming out of him: his falsetto has never sounded this relaxed before as he sings about the release of dancing, the joy of releasing energy, "just to see what gives." In some dark imagined disco, this song is getting people on the floor. Radiohead, it seems, has become a dance band.
Well, not entirely. "The King of Limbs," which was abruptly made available for download via the band's website Friday, can be heard from several different angles. Fans and critics have already been registering wildly divergent reactions: Some think it's one of the band's best efforts; others find it too low-key or similar to previous work; a few consider it awfully doomy, and a few others wish it were less abstract. The stature and skill of this band allows for so many interpretations that even a decisively unpretentious work like this one sends listeners wide to find its headwaters.
A strong emphasis on ambient electronics connects this set to the more experimental strain of Radiohead music that emerged with the 2000 album, "Kid A." Jonny Greenwood keeps the guitar grandiosity to a minimum, letting the rhythm section of Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway take the lead in the music's dances with machines. Several tracks seem to allude to the voraciously inventive experiments of L.A.'s Low End Theory club scene as well as to old sources like minimalism. "Feral" is an uptempo dirge, if that can exist, crumbling into dream dust; "Separator" relies on a gentle, intricate build that touches on jazz and 1970s soul.
The second half of this fairly short eight-song release includes some meditative ballads that lend the whole project a calm, wistful tone, but even in "Codex," a memento mori possibly based on the Langston Hughes poem "Suicide's Note," the sensual power of these songs tempers Radiohead's frowny brainiac tendencies. Quieter moments might remind listeners of the cyber-rustic heartbreaker Bon Iver: here, like that younger artist, Radiohead builds a forest that's both plastic and real.
Some songs are actually quite funky, too. "Morning Mr. Magpie" and "Little by Little" both bear the mark of Flea, whose bass contributions got Yorke dancing madly in the solo sets he performed in Los Angeles last fall, and a hint of Timbaland's influence sneaks in on a few tracks. The music's enveloping resonance, the unalloyed pleasure it brings, colors Yorke's lyrics; even when they go morbid, they seem less concerned with demons than with ghosts who might be tamed. "Open your mouth wide," he sings in "Bloom." "Don't blow your mind with why." No harm, it turns out, in sometimes letting the bones (or maybe, once in a while, the booty) lead.
-- Ann Powers
[Updated: The original version of this post erroneously identified the song title from which the lyric, "Open your mouth wide" was taken. It was from "Bloom," not "Little by Little." Also, the original version of this post erroneously identified the title of Langston Hughes' poem. It is "Suicide's Note," not "Suicide's Kiss." We have corrected the text above.
Top image: Radiohead's Thom Yorke in the video for "Lotus Flower." Screenshot taken from Radiohead's Web site.
wow, fluff radiohead much?
"voraciously inventive experiments"
"The music's enveloping resonance, the unalloyed pleasure it brings,"
"memento mori"
Sorry, but this is nothing more than a sesquipedalian display of ostentatious writing.
Posted by: Marco S. Quandolis | February 18, 2011 at 05:38 PM
Good review. I would like to point out, though, that the lyric, "open your mouth wide," is in the opening number, 'Bloom', as well as "don't blow your mind with why."
I think this album is fantastic. Great to hear something new from Radiohead! I like what they've done with this album.
Posted by: Danny | February 18, 2011 at 06:09 PM
There will be, as this article alludes, so many divergent views of this long awaited recording (perhaps more songs will stream for the buyers?) that reviews at one day's listening are simply premature.
That being said - I only wish that 2, 3, or 4 songs had SOME type of amazing destroy-you guitar at any point in the song vs. the overall soundscape that is instead produced. I don't care about the solo's....thats so 80's and 90's that is may as well be Ward Cleaver.
I'm referring to the fact that there are four insanely talented guitarists here and there's nothing even remotely in the jam-line as Bodysnatchers, Boney King of Nowhere, or any of the other numerous songs that all tear it up, rip the studio and stage apart with guitars blazing - all of which Radiohead has made so completley unique among the drone of other modern music guitarism.
This feels very Tom Yorke-driven, very much like extra's off of Yorke's solo "Eraser" or Disk 2 of "In Rainbows"...and not that much different only lacking any single song that I can remember a mantra from that just jams.
Posted by: Thomas Todd | February 18, 2011 at 06:38 PM
he doesnt sing "open your mouth wide" in little by little, he sings in in the opening track "bloom"
Posted by: blooblee | February 18, 2011 at 07:36 PM
Radiohead, it seems, has become a dance band.....
no, they're "bowler derby man" now....
not entirely unforeseen......
Posted by: jojo | February 18, 2011 at 07:56 PM
I personally think this might just of been the greatest thing that has happened to me. No exaggerations needed.
I've been waiting for Radiohead to release something new.
Time has come, which means it is time for touring.
Can't wait till that time comes, soossososo wicked.
Posted by: adreanne owens | February 18, 2011 at 08:14 PM
I have been listening to the album all day and I think it is amazing. I would like to comment on the song "Lotus Flowers". I believe that this song is one of Thom Yorke's more opaque in terms of lyrical meaning. My opinion is that he is referencing the use of drugs in some way. The most straitforward lines are "I will sneak myself into your pocket" "cut me up, cut me up" "I can't kick the habit", but more ambiguous might be references to the legendary history of the lotus flower. Also, I think the video is in some way related to the art of mime. Watch a Youtube video of Marcel Marceau and then compare the movement to Thom in this video.
Posted by: Kristoffer Lance | February 18, 2011 at 08:40 PM
Pop 'stache takes a look more at the bands release strategy rather as opposed to focusing solely on the music. http://bit.ly/f32fH9
Posted by: Pop 'stache | February 18, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Lotus Flower sounds like sub-Communards/Bronski Beat. Really weak.
And as usual Ms. Powers demonstrate a talent to sell even the most boring stuff.
Posted by: Pit | February 19, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Everyone thinks they're an expert nowadays, I'm truly depressed that so many of the people commenting just "don't get" the new album. TRY to open your minds, and it will allow it to expand, to new sounds. It's an absolutely beautiful album that is definitely ahead of it's time (just like Kid A). Best album of the decade so far, and i can't imagine anything besting it for years to come.
Posted by: Raf | February 19, 2011 at 03:36 PM
I know the boys are never going back to the days of guitars, songs you can sing to, or anything resembling what they consider 'commercial'. This album is very weak, and has perhaps 2 decent songs. I found it to be a waste of $9, and by far their worst album ever. I respect pushing the envelope. But they aren't even in the mailbox with this one.
Posted by: Jon | February 19, 2011 at 06:12 PM
Love Radiohead, but the blips- beats sound effect is getting old. Wish the album was more in the direction of Codex.
Posted by: Dave | February 19, 2011 at 06:24 PM
Where In Rainbows was fab, this is just not worthy as a follow up. Their worst album alongside Pablo Honey. Too dull, too samey. Quite frankly I've wasted my time with this album and Radiohead have as well.
Posted by: Peter | February 19, 2011 at 07:12 PM
Thom's schtick: a nod to Tom Waits, except that he brings a sweet falsetto to the dance flo.
Posted by: ww | February 20, 2011 at 12:34 AM
"...a sesquipedalian display of ostentatious writing." -says marco
Irony, says I.
Posted by: joe | February 20, 2011 at 01:36 AM
re: the video "lotus flower"..... david byrne "once in a lifetime".
Posted by: sbaker | February 20, 2011 at 09:36 AM
'Just don't get it'....?
Thats getting old too. Just because they are Radiohead doesn't mean they are incapable of sucking. Some people will say they are genius no matter what, but yeah- this ones too dull & samey alright. Loved Codex though
i miss the old paranoia.
Posted by: Let Down | February 21, 2011 at 01:41 AM
As a dentist, I look at Thom Yorke's mouth the way Banksy looks at a BP Oil billboard: Oh, the horror...oh, the possibilities...Someone get me a bucket of wheat paste and a claw hammer.
Posted by: Dapper Dan | February 21, 2011 at 08:16 AM
Like all Radiohead music it tastes better with time. To the high brow critic wanabes who do not get it, sorry but the band really does not care. They do it for themselves. That is why they are one of the best bands of the last 15 years.
____________________________________________________________
New music from Radiohead- and there was much rejoicing.
Posted by: Mark in Pasadena | February 21, 2011 at 04:45 PM
"To the high brow critic wanabes who do not get it, sorry but the band really does not care. They do it for themselves."
In the same vein, as a longtime radiohead fan, i don't like it. Maybe you of higher intellect can tell me why i should like it.. but i don't really care.
Posted by: chris | February 22, 2011 at 03:29 PM
Chris:
Music is about feeling not necessary intellect. You like it or you don't. I really do not care if you are a long time RH fan. Is that supposed to entitle you to something? In the meantime lighten up,a trip to Amoeba in Hollywood is a good start.
Posted by: Mark in Pasadena | February 22, 2011 at 06:33 PM
Ms Powers, will you be posting an official review of the King of Limbs or is the snap judgment your review? I enjoy reading your materials.
Posted by: Tt | February 23, 2011 at 04:00 PM
Love love love this music video! Such organic choreography from Wayne McGregor. Check out DanceOn's feature on the "Lotus Flower" video over at www.DanceOn.com
Posted by: DanceOn | February 24, 2011 at 10:12 AM
I'm not sure why people find it difficult to remember the songs. I find this album quite memorable. It's certainly straightforward compared to something like Flying Lotus at least. I think this is a pretty great album...better than In Rainbows even.
More importantly, this is not a Thom Yorke solo album. If you feel that way, you may need to read up about what the other people bring to the table. Jonny and Colin Greenwood, at the very least, have prints all over this record. Thom Yorke doesn't write bass lines and keyboard/orchestration patterns like the stuff on this album.
Posted by: Bob | February 25, 2011 at 08:26 PM