Interview: Radiohead King of limbs

I’ve never been a huge fan of Radiohead. Call me a philistine but I often feeleverything post ‘OK Computer’ has bordered on the overwhelmingly pretentious, with the band flaunting their status as guardians of an ethereal and ungraspable muscal realm the rest of us are too uncultured to understand. Alas, their latest incarnation ‘King of Limbs’ seems to be in the same vein.

Even after repeated (agonising) listens I was unable to decipher Thom Yorke’swhiny, nonsensical lyrics – but then I haven’t since ‘Amnesiac.’ Despite a deceptivetitle that could easily belong to a Beatles song, ‘Morning Mr. Magpie’ has amonotonous beat that feels akin to Chinese water torture after the first minute, whilst ‘Little By Little,’ although containing a more energetic and melodic twist I would still rarely be inclined to play again for pleasure. The only real note of promise is final track ‘Separator,’ an echoing, angular and mournful pastiche embellished with layers of luscious harmonies. But it was too little too late.

Thankfully, it all clocked in at less than 40 mins.

One can’t help having immense respect for the ability the members of Radiohead always display with their musical instruments; I just too often take issue with how they’re used. Sorry guys – call it a cliché but I preferred your earlier stuff. Now, I’m off to stick on The Bends.

Words by MADDY FRY