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ROSS’ TOP 40 ALBUMS OF 2011
#3
RADIOHEAD The King of Limbs
Song-by-Song Rating: 7.47 (6th)
Last.fm Plays: 228 (5th)
Featured Song: “Codex”
There was a lot of talk about Radiohead releasing an album sometime this year. Fans clung to random internet quotes from Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood about a new album being finished or mixed.
And even with all of that anticipation, Radiohead still managed to surprise everyone: announcing in February that their new album was ready…and going to be released in 5 days.
Getting past the massive hype surrounding the way it was released, The King of Limbs is yet another great Radiohead album, even though it may be a bit of a grower. The back half of the album is particularly strong, featuring a stretch of songs that just as strong as anything you’ll find on the band’s “classic” albums.
Standout Tracks: “Morning Mr. Magpie”, “Lotus Flower”, “Codex”, “Give Up the Ghost” and “Separator”
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ROSS’ TOP 10 EPs/SINGLES OF 2011
#5
RADIOHEAD Supercollider/The Butcher
Featured Song: “The Butcher”
Radiohead surprised everyone early in 2011 by announcing that they were coming out with a new album called The King of Limbs…and then released it just a couple days later.
That was quickly followed by these two excellent tracks and several performances of two other new songs “Staircase” and “The Daily Mail.” That’s essentially 3 Radiohead releases in one year. No complaints here.
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#4
Radiohead “Nude”
2008
Now that you’ve found it, it’s gone.
Now that you feel it, you don’t.
My favorite Radiohead song of the decade is a jazz waltz about an inevitable sense of defeat and disappointment…the notion that when you eventually find that thing that you’ve been searching for, it’s not as great as you expected all along.
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#16
Radiohead “Idioteque”
2000
There are so many decade-ending lists coming out these days. A lot of the album lists put Radiohead’s Kid A at the top, deservingly so.
“Idioteque” is the most recognizable song from that landmark album…and perfect representation of Radiohead’s musical evolution and move toward more electronic experimentation.
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#25
Radiohead “There There”
2003
Radiohead has used various combinations of instruments to make their groundbreaking music. In the mid-90s, they used a wall of guitars. Later on, they moved to electronic devices and computer programs.
On “There There”, they employ drums. Lots of drums.
Sure, Thom Yorke still has a crunchy guitar that builds as the song goes on…but it’s all built on that bevy of percussion.
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#44
Radiohead “I Might Be Wrong”
2001
This song features what may be my favorite Radiohead riff. Johnny Greenwood’s churning guitar riff sets the tone for this groovy track off 2001’s Amnesiac.
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#77
Radiohead “All I Need”
2007
This is such a departure from the triple-guitar approach of mid-90’s Radiohead.
A few synth notes and a simple drumbeat provide the backdrop for Thom Yorke’s emotional vocals.
It all builds toward a trademark Radiohead atmospheric explosion at the end.
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#113
Radiohead “Bodysnatchers”
2008
“Bodysnatchers” is like a high speed police chase. It’s noisy and fuzzed-out, propelling along with sudden shifts and an unknown destination. They even race to the finish, ending with fading thud.
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#122
Radiohead “The National Anthem”
2000
That hynotic bass line. The steady drum beat with plenty of accents thrown in. The wild array of jazzy chaos splattered throughout the song.
These are the things that make “The National Anthem” such a special track on the incredible sea change of an album that was 2000’s Kid A.
