Following in fashion of their previous album, "In Rainbows", Radiohead released another album digitally before it was available to buy in stores. I of course waited until the actual disc came out so that I could soak up all the quality. That is why this review is so late.
The King of Limbs is the shortest Radiohead album to date. It only has eight tracks. However, lengh does not take away from the quality. The King of Limbs is a journey, like every album should be. Noisy as the album is, it draws you in and allows you to access it in full force without being steered away by the experimental essence.
Visuals are everywhere from the start of this record. Piano keys open up the first track "Bloom", and then the heavy usage of unexpected sounds comes in, along with the steady sound of Phillip Selway's drumming. The artwork and the entire experience made me feel almost like I was in a rain forest with birds chirping and lush plant life all around. The listeining experience is very rich.When Thom Yorke's vocals come in, you are at last convinced that this is the Radiohead you know and love.
"Open your mouth wide, universal sigh, and while the ocean blooms, it's what keeps me alive".
As we move on in the album, the instruments get even stranger, but only fittingly so. "Lotus Flower" brings us back in, from a bit of an adventure, to reality. Yorke quietly whines over nothing but drums and a quiet bass "There's an empty space inside my heart, where the weeds take root, and now I'll set you free."
The final track "Separator", calmly closes the album. The lyrics seem to float over the music as it slowly drifts out.
King of Limbs, takes a pathway similar to "Amnesiac" in that it is much more experimental and abstract than other Radiohead albums.
If you are a fan of vinyl, I suggest you buy this album in that format, because something about the static seems to make the listening experience complete.
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