info about the new Radiohead album, July 7, 2001

I'll do a few things in this review. I'll give some facts about the album, go over the songs, and comment on the packaging (which is important on Radiohead albums and very important when it comes to the limited edition of this one).

I'll be honest, I've loved everything Radiohead ever did. When I heard "OK Computer" I thought it was a masterstroke from these guys, and that they couldn't do any better. When "Kid A" was released, I purchased it immediately, and after spending a week with it, I disliked it so much I got rid of it. Still, the album didn't leave my consciousness for some time. These are smart musicians, crafty songwriters - why would they make an album like this? All the soulful despair that made "OK Computer" an emotional record about an emotionless world seemed to disappear on "Kid A". I was confused. Months later, I heard "Pyramid Song" from the "Amnesiac" album on the radio. This was more like it. Sure, it sounded as detached as any song on "Kid A", but I got it. It seemed to return to the eerily beautiful Radiohead construct I knew. I purchased both albums, and hearing both of them together lit the light bulb in my head. Ahhh,...

Critics and fans alike haunt AMNESIAC, Radiohead's 2001 album, with accusations this record is little more than a KID B. Indeed, much of the controversy surrounding this album has to do with complex issues of album vs. single, and Radiohead's self-important reputation. It is rather funny how the actual music can get lost in all the shuffle.