The Telegraph did a track by track review, emphasising the ambient/dubstep influences and describing the album as 'something else entirely...the sound of the future calling.' Wholly positive, if shying away from giving an overall verdict.
BBC Music's review was very positive, but indicated to me that Radiohead may be in danger of stagnating their sound ('subtle differences to a tested formula'). However, they do describe it as 'a fans-pleasing album from Britain's most consistently brilliant band' and, as on this blog, note Codex in particular as the song that 'truly strikes the listener dumb'.
Tim Jonze's first listen review for The Guardian was more critical, noting the brilliance of individual songs but commenting that the band, 'have failed to come up with anything that might surprise us this time.' I would agree with him that Radiohead seem to have settled into their sound a bit too much. Maybe the fantastic In Rainbows was a one-off return to more melodic songwriting...
NME's first listen review disagrees with Tim Jonze, in the sense that they think The King of Limbs does actually manage to continue the balance of experimentation without sacrificing the human element, but decides that ultimately it may be 'a record to admire more than truly love.'
it's definitely a grower, songs I didnt love the 1st or 2nd time round like separator Im a big fan of now
ReplyDeleteYeah, Separator was one of the tracks that started to grab after a couple of listens, I love when the guitar part starts about halfway in :)
ReplyDeleteI'm 7 or 8 listens in and it's without question better than "Hail". The album has an unobtrusive quality, complimenting creative and introverted thought rather than hindering it. In fact i'd go as far to say that this is Radiohead's first album that was designed to be primarily listened to whilst on the move, on ipods rather than at home and on stereo's.
ReplyDeleteI reckon Greenwoods recent foray's into soundtracking for movies have had him thinking more about the places where people consume Radioheads music. About their average day and have made a record to compliment that.
worst radiohead album so far
ReplyDeleteCould easily be 8 eraser b-side tracks ...
very disapointed
Amazing album! People compare this to eraser, and I understand but I think this sounds so much more natural than the Eraser, even with al the electronic elements. I like this album better than HTTT, Amnesiac, and probably even the Bends. Wih headphones on this album is sonicaay staggering. Radiohead remain on top!!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny to me that I've been struck by the lush, almost sublime quality of these songs while others are disappointed. Everyone isn't going to like the same thing... I'm just glad Radiohead isn't concerned with pleasing everyone (we'd be stuck listening to re-hash... who wants that?)
ReplyDeleteI'm blown away by The king of Limbs! Brilliant!
Definitely an album to listen to with headphones. It takes me to the same kind of place as Amnesiac does, except the second half of Limbs is more uplifting, more soothing.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit it's definitely not a favorite, though. All the other albums held my attention for weeks at first, but I can tell that this one will go to the shelf a couple days from now. There just isn't anything in there that grips me emotionally; it's an album to listen to drunk at 3 AM, when you're floating a few feet above your own head :) or at least that's the moment at which one might appreciate it the most. It sounds like the music is being played in a quiet room where sleeping people must not be woken.
I agree with the bit about "admired, not loved". This makes me wonder where they'll go next. I hope it's not a dead-end.
Its pretty meh imo.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a bored Can.
It is brilliantly recorded etc and theres some clever stuff in there but does lack a lot for me despite the dense detail in most tracks. Too short also.
Flower Lotus just sounds dated also.
The King of Limbs is brilliant! just like every Radiohead album
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's brilliant!
ReplyDeleteOn first listen I didn't like it much, but after playing it on loop since Friday I'm really starting to like it a lot!! My least favourite track is "little by little" but even that is starting to grow on me. Love the rest!!
But really hoping the wurring end of Separator makes way for a darker guitar driven 2nd half:
http://www.ateaseweb.com/2011/02/21/the-king-of-limbs-conspiracy-theories/
I've been a huge radiohead fan for some time now. With that said I think this album definatly sounds like it could be a b-side album or maybe just lost tracks. The thing I first noticed was its failure to pull you into it like some great hypnotic drug like past albums could. It doesn't take advantage of Thom York's great vocal range either. Not a horrible album but quite dissipointing in contrast to what I expect to "experience" when choosing to hear Radiohead.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but I've heard better B sides from the OK computer album. Maybe I've not given it chance yet. It's a very quiet album and not enough to keep me interested. Out of this album I'd pick little by little, lotus flower, codex and separator (at a push).
ReplyDelete