release date: Jun. 9, 2003
format: cd (2008 reissue)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,32]
producer: Nigel Godrich & his magic boxes
label: Parlophone - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "2 + 2 = 5 [The Lukewarm.]" - 3. "Sail to the Moon. [Brush the Cobwebs Out of the Sky.]" - 9. "There There. [The Boney King of Nowhere.]"
6th studio album by Radiohead (fourth to be co-produced by Nigel Godrich) is the band's continued journey into new territory. It's the band's so far final studio album released on the EMI-owned label, Parlophone. The band has moved away from the jazz rock influence, which is heard on the two previous albums and instead they combine an acoustic-founded base of soft rock with a more electronic sound by incorporating synths and programming in addition to piano and guitar-based compositions, thus making a particular spacial and sometimes almost ambient sound.
Almost as usual the new album, the new style, made way for critical acclaim, and the album was like its predecessors nominated several prizes and [as could easily have been predicted] it topped the national album charts list as well as selling more than just well in a number of countries.
I have never really enjoyed this particular album much. I have tried to listen to it many times but mostly I just find myself in desperate search of 'that thing' I do not grasp, and each time it simply eludes me. I have come across some positive reviews referring to the album's strong lyrics, as comments to Western society, American politics, etc., which is to say: strong narrative qualities. However, I never have and never will be able to use the lyrical aspect of music alone as an argument for critical acclaim. In music, there has to be good music. Point taken, 'cause I think it lacks here. I consider it a low point only exceeded by the debut in the band's discography.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 4 / 5, Spin, Uncut 4,5 / 5, The Guardian 3 / 5 stars ]
