Thirded, fourthed, whatever. It’s one of the few albums in existence that I am happy to label, without qualification, “perfect”. Sends shivers up my spine it’s so fucking good. I used to think this was because the first time I heard it was in an isolated, atmospheric gorge in the middle of the mountains in China, but twelve years on, I realise it’s actually because it’s utterly sublime.
Pretty awesome. Listening to this reminds me that Radiohead, as thoroughly original as their synthesis of influences is, did not arise in a vacuum. That plus the recent Goldfrapp has served to remind me how interrelated all these music influences can be . . . and that Kate Bush is still relevant.
Is this thread too old to resurrect?
The album released on 04.29.08. I got it from iTunes after catching a “Soundstage” on MTVHD that showed them performing this in studio.
Lurve it.
Salon.com wrote a review that made it sound like it wasn’t a very good album. Clearly, the reviewer didn’t know wtf he was talking about.
I hope there’s a U.S. tour.
Darn, I got all excited seeing this on the front page thinking VCO3 had been reinstated.
I haven’t read the Salon.com article (yet), but I’ll go stand with those who are disappointed. I mean, it’s sonically pleasant and everything, but a lot of the songs are just…kinda weak. Like “Machine Gun” – all it’s got going on is that rat-a-tat beat. Comparing this album to their two earlier works highlights just how simple/simplistic it is. Which on its own isn’t necessarily a flaw, but when you’re used to and expecting the sonic richness they’ve showed in the past, it’s a bit of a let-down.
Maybe I just need to listen to it some more.