Radiohead – Kid A

I have this since the week of release and I played it again this evening after 24 years. The sound is phenomenal and the album itself is still mind blowing.

Few popular rock bands experimented other things than guitars, batteries and chants. I really have to recognize the work done there, there's some sounds that are peculiar to "Kid A".
I personally don't cling to the two last songs "Morning Bell" and "Motion Picture Soundtrack". The former does not feature the best vocals of Thom Yorke (in my opinion) and the latter does not bring as much emotion as the other ambient track, "Treefingers".

- "Everything In Its Right Place" its arguably the most haunting song of this record. The mumblings, the threatening notes and the melancholic voice of Yorke make are very relevant altogether. Nice soundtrack for a Halloween party or while driving through a spooky neighborhood on a dark cloudy day. Pretty Lights made a mashup tune featuring this song, Nirvana's "All Apologies" and Nine Inch Nails's "Closer". Worth a listen if you're into electronic.
- "Kid A" changes the atmosphere drastically, as the industrial atmosphere gives way to a lullaby melody arranged with soothing ambient notes. The second half is contagiously "optimistic", with the little beats and that ethereal note that enables your mind to access your most cherished dreams.
- "The National Anthem" reminds me of Meat Beat Manifesto's "Subliminal Sandwich" with the solid drums, the low-pitched guitars, the various tweaking sounds and those wild jazzy horns that are heard after a while.
- "How To Disappear Completely" won't have been out of place if put just after "Kid A". The gentle riffs are very helpful to relax on, even though the lyrics aren't really joyful.
- "Treefingers" is the ambient break of this CD. A minimalist but efficient composition to play while gazing at the nocturnal sky.
- The guitar notes of "Optimistic" heard from around 1:30 and onwards are some of my alltime favorites. They somewhat sound like some that Dean Garcia of the band "Curve" produced.
- "In Limbo" is the one to play if you want to be lost, if you want to feel like floating on a river, or being in a huge landscape featuring volcanoes or mountains. Such as the ones featured on the album cover. The bass is particularly good. I can't the number of times my older brother played it while playing "Ocarina Of Time" and "Dynasty Warriors 4".
- At last, "Idioteque" brings back some "Everything In Its Right Place" vibes. Some background sounds have a bit of "Silent Hill" vibes.

Quite an experience, not to try on a sunny day. Even after several listens, you encounter sounds that leave you confused, beffudled, but I challenge you to try forgetting them. "Everything In Its Right Place" alone is enough to feel strong emotions that you will want to feel again some time later.