First opinions have been cast aside... (Amnesiac - Radiohead)

Member Name: shanecahill

Product:	Amnesiac - Radiohead
Date:	15/06/01 (33 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Life In A Glasshouse, Pyramid Song

Disadvantages: Pull/Pulk Revolving Doors

I have had this album for quite a while now, and wanted to do a review from day one. The only thing stopping me was the fact that when I'm writing an op, I always make sure I know the product I'm reviewing and put first opinions to one side. So, finally, here's my opinion.

Packt Like Sardines In A Crushd Tin Box is a funky upbeat track, with a lot of percussion and another great Thom soundbite to add to the collection: "I'm a reasonable man, get off my case". I'm sorry Thom, but being on your case is kind of what writing an opinion is all about, I'll get off when I'm finished.

Pyramid Song has, for me, been the undoubtedly the best single of the year, sounding almost tribal, with great keyboard from Thom and excellent strong vocals in there aswell. Outstanding.

Pull\Pulk Revolving Doors is attempting to be the Kid A of Amnesiac and doesn't succeed very well. At least with Kid A, it seemed to have some sort of tune to it, while this seems slightly thrown together. Luckily though, I've seen a lot worse fillers than this.

You And Whose Army is about politics and the Labour party and so on. But you want to hear about the song itself! I can't blame you because this is one of the highlights of the album. With distorted vocals (again) and excellent lyrics, this is another tremendous song from the lads.

Well I'll be damned! Is that guitar I hear coming from my Radiohead CD?
It is! And not bad either, an excellent riff and spot-on vocals make you long for the old days. Still, when the stuff is this good, I suppose we can wait for the next album. This song also has about a minute of some other tune after it which is also damn good!

While still licking our lips from the sensational guitar in the last song, Radiohead tease us further with Knives Out, a fast paced guitar song with rockin' vocals and drumming. People say this song wouldn't be out of plac
e on Th Bends or OK Computer, but I disagree. It just seems that way because the other songs are so weird!

We now revisit a classic from the multi-million selling album Kid A. The track? Morning Bell, now called Morning Bell/Amnesiac. Better? Slightly, I prefer it slower but in another way my favourite part of the old song was the electrifying drum rolls, which are now sadly, and very noticeably, absent. I smell a filler!!!

Dollars & Cents has great drumming and you really notice the orchestra, they really add a lot to the song. Thom stars again, with great lines like "We're gonna CRACK your little souls". A vital member of the Amnesiac family.

Right, I suppose I should say my opinion on Hunting Bears. WHAT THE HELL IS IT?!? It's basically 2.01 minutes of guitar, nothing else. I wouldn't mind, but it's not like a cool solo or anything, it's just slow guitar. I don't mind it, but it certainly ain't brilliant.

Now this I like. Like Spinning Plates gets the formula for distorted vocals perfectly : good tune, you can still sing along and it still sounds like a song! Pay attention Pull/Pulk Revolving Doors, I'm talking to you! This song has taken a lot of stick but I think this is extraordinarily good.

Of course Radiohead have saved the best till last. Life In A Glasshouse is far and away my favourite song on this album. Stirring vocals, great lyrics and the amazing Humphrey Lyttleton on trumpet, this song has it all and more. Absolutely amazing, well up there with Radiohead's classics.

One reason to buy this album: Life In A Glasshouse
Two reasons to buy this album: Life In A Glasshouse and Pyramid Song
Three reasons to buy this album: Life In A Glasshouse, Pyramid Song and 'cos I bloody well said so!!!!

Radiohead if you're reading, the last two albums were great, but we wouldn't mind another OK Computer next!!
<
br>Please comment, because I really want to hear other peoples opinion of this album.

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