No 'head for Heights (Kid A - Radiohead)

Member Name: indiecater

Product:	Kid A - Radiohead
Date:	05/10/00 (132 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: New Directions.

Disadvantages: Takes a Few Wrong Turns.

Expectation was weighing quite heavy on the indiepop scales. Could Radiohead possibly build on their near faultless previous album 'OK Computer'. 'Kid A' is hard to define, its contours and directions are at times unwieldy and it lacks the tunes of its predecessors.

Radiohead’s decision not to release any singles off the album seems entirely sensible. 'The National Anthem', for example, is as uneven as a rolling hedgehog but its momentum does get you caught up in the moment. It resembles recent Blur forays in unknown lands but you'll never hum it on your way to the disco. That's the whole problem with 'Kid A', there are no standout tracks that rope you in and keep you interested during the less inspired moments.

There are big nods to Aphex Twin on 'Idioteque' and 'Kid A'. Appearing on an Aphex Twin album these tracks would surely create joyful wide-eyed reactions, but here this is simply not the case. A Yorke guest vocal is one thing but this sort of pastiche taking up space on a Radiohead album is not really logical.

But then, are we creating a pigeon hole for Radiohead that doesn't allow any sideways moves? Maybe it’s our reliance on Radiohead to be the leading lights in indies' stampede into popular culture that so disappoints. Anything below their consistent standards just isn't good enough.

There are a few very good moments. 'Morning Bell' is quite endearing but as it arrives at the death, hope for salvation has long since dripped away. Next springs offering will surely cheer up the mothers of the disappointed but in the meantime we'll continue to dissect what they've offered us. 'Kid A' could become the biggest grower of all time.

Is music supposed to be this challenging, isn't an accessible tune what it’s all about. Maybe we've misjudged albums before because we didn't give them the time the
y needed. Ah well, I suppose Radiohead should be afforded that luxury and by springtime the 'Kid A' experience could be a lot more enjoyable prompting us to hope that the new album is more of the same, alternatively we could be teaching it how to disappear completely.

Overall then, 'Kid A' is interesting, but sadly not compelling.

Summary: