Radiohead - 'The King of Limbs'

XL/TBD; 2011
Our Take - 7.8

Expectations are always high for a Radiohead LP, and rightfully so.  Simply put they are one of the worlds best, most challenging, and most influential bands.  Since forming in 1985, the band has never really given the world a dud.

I wanted to avoid in this review talking about some of the things that are often discussed with the release of a new Radiohead album-- the way in which it was released, and the comparisons to their previous albums and the stigma that comes with it (OK Computer, Kid A, The Bends).  What I found is that although I wanted to avoid these things that they are almost impossible to avoid, especially comparisons to their previous albums.
 
The King of Limbs is a good--perhaps even great album.  I will willingly admit that like some of their other work I think it will continue to grow on me with time.  That being said it is by no means their best work.   I've created a hypothetical situation that has helped me think about the album as a standalone work: I imagine how I would rate the review if The King of Limbs if it was a debut from a 2011 buzz band.  If it was I think it would receive unanimously positive, maybe even perfect reviews.  Digression aside, it brings to the surface a valid point-- it is almost impossible not to judge The King of Limbs without discussing some of Radiohead's other now classic albums.  Again, simply put, it just isn't as good.  This fact while incredibly clear, further defines Radiohead as one of the best bands in the world.  Even their average albums are heads above most of of the material that most bands will put out in their entire careers.

With The King of Limbs we are given Radiohead's shortest album to date.  At 37 minutes, it almost feels to be finished before it starts.  The album is 8 songs long and essentially divided into two parts.  In the first four songs the band seems to be challenging the idea of what a song is.  The idea of verse-chorus-verse is largely forgotten in the first half in favor of complex sonics and tricky engineering.  The second, and my favorite half gives way to more traditional songs.  Standout and closer "Separator" leaves us hanging, "If you think this is over, then you're wrong," hinting that this band won't be done putting out great music anytime soon.

My biggest complaint about the album is that it almost feels like a Thom Yorke solo album.  "Morning Mr. Magpie" was played by Thom acoustically in the past and "Lotus Flower" was played with Thom's solo side project Atoms for Peace.  Also, I see this as an album that Thom probably could have made himself.  Ed O'Brien is almost indistinguishable on the album, Colin Greenwood can be heard, but we know Thom has played bass in the past, and Johnny Greenwood can be heard at points but even he seems to be a part of the background.

Overall, this isn't the best or most adventurous album that Radiohead has made but it is one of the better albums put out so far this year.  We hear Radiohead as a mature group, one that has finally been able to relax, and it shows with The King of Limbs.