Radiohead - Hail To The Thief

Wow. That is all I can say about this album. A perfect score and a glowing review for Radiohead's new one... predictable, isn't it? But honestly, Hail to the Thief is worth it. I'm not blowing smoke up your ass: this album is everything I hoped Radiohead would release. From the first note to the last, this record is perfect and flawless. And I mean it. I absolutely love this album. Although Thom Yorke has said that Hail To The Thief is, essentially, OK Computer 2, it's not entirely true. They've reverted back to shorter, more concise songs, featuring guitars and real drums again. The experimental nature Radiohead found on Kid A and Amnesiac is still present too, making this a combination of almost everything they've done. A few months ago I heard live versions of a few songs and wasn't sure about how much I'd care for the final product, but as soon as the first track, "2+2=5", came to its frenzied climax I was grinning ear to ear. Songs like "Sit Down Stand Up", "Backdrifts", and "The Gloaming" have the blips and beeps of their recent work, while future-single "Go To Sleep" harkens back to The Bends-era guitar work. "Sail To The Moon" again displays the boys' ability to write beautiful melancholy songs, while "Myxomatosis" and "We Suck Young Blood" show the insanity they release through their music. The album ends the best way it can with "A Wolf At The Door", where Thom almost speak-sings the verses before hitting the chorus, complaining about a wolf threatening to beat him up and steal his children. Yeah, I'm biased. I love Radiohead. But Hail To The Thief really is that great. It's not a step forward, it's not a step backward, and it's not Radiohead staying stagnant in one place. It's inexplicably beautiful and cements Radiohead as one of the truly amazing artists of this generation. [www.radiohead.com]