I just raved about the highly anticipated Muse album, Black Holes and Revelations, that comes out in the U.S. tomorrow. Another album everyone is anxious to get their ears on is Thom Yorke's solo release, The Eraser. Thanks to a friend, I've had the pleasure of sampling it ahead of time so that I can come here and let you know that you should go buy it tomorrow. As some of you may or may not know, depending on how much you keep up, Thom Yorke is the lead singer of indie-rock giants Radiohead, so this is release is kind of a big deal.
If I had to describe what you're going to find on this album, I'd have to refer to Radiohead's track, "Idioteque," because there is the same kind of feel to this record as there is in that particular song, which you can find on Kid A. There's a lot of that whole incorporation of varying beats behind Yorke's angelic vocals that keep the tracks moving smoothly together. Speaking of tracks, there are only nine of them on The Eraser, which actually had me salivating for more. Good move on his part, I guess.
Lyrically speaking, Yorke sticks to his signature practice of mixing stuff that makes sense with stuff that doesn't at all, making you think he may have been bouncing back and forth between the real world and Wonderland in the midst of writing. The title track is one I can relate to, as it begins, "Please excuse me but I got to ask/Are you only being nice/Because you want something?" That one is easily my favorite.
Lastly, an interesting aural observation I made upon listening is that I was pleasantly reminded of local favorites Snowden in some instances. That may sound like an odd comparison since I'm putting a local Atlanta band into the same category as someone as seasoned as Thom Yorke, but if you're educated on the two, you'll probably hear the same thing I did. I'm just saying. I give this album a thumbs up.
9 comments:
Huh. I listened to this maybe twice the day it leaked, decided I didn't like it, and haven't listened to it since. Maybe I'll give it another shot.
I think I like that it's so chill and laid back. It's good for relaxing and kind of puts me in a peaceful mood. I'm surprised you didn't dig it.
weird. i saw the LP of The Eraser onsale at WaxnFacts last week...
!john
I think there may have been too many bloops and bleeps for my taste. I'll give it another chance. I think it was also competing with the new Sufjan outtakes album at the time.
@John: Today is the official release date, so I'm not sure why they'd be selling it. Maybe pre-orders?
@Rich: Yeah . . . there are quite a few of those bloops and bleeps.
I like The Eraser quite a bit, but it's nowhere near Kid A, which I consider Radiohead's masterpiece. It (The Eraser) sounds a bit sparse at points.
Leah, have you heard Human Television? Give them a shot.
I'll get right on Human Television.
I'll agree that this album doesn't hit as hard as any Radiohead material. It's much more muted and watered down, but I guess that's to be expected on a solo project.
I've been listening to this album for the last month or two and I have to say I like it. To me, it's like a darker version of Postal Service's "Give Up". The thing you have to do (which is nearly impossible) is try to listen to the album on its merits instead of compare it to radiohead, which very few albums could live up to.
Oh I have to agree with musick...Kid A is radiohead's masterpiece to me, too.
when i first put this in i was like "oh...it's amnesiac...again." with the bleeping and the blooming and the snoozing...but i had it playing all weekend, and i am finally getting into it. there are some really beautiful, interesting melodies...and LOVE SONGS?!i think that is the most shocking of all. maybe thom is finally on some much needed meds. my favorite part was mishearing the lyrics "i want to eat your artichoke heart" as "i want to eat your heart, each your crotch" haha.. good times.
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