THE KING OF LIMBS

With a band that's enjoyed renewed success for as long as Radiohead, change is the key element to keep listeners coming back for more. While some like fellow Englishmen Genesis took their sound in an increasingly accessible and poppy direction as times changed, this once-grungy group has been brave enough to push their envelope forward. always taking risks to keep their sound fresh. While any less devoted fanbase would have laughed Radiohead into obscurity as soon as their music started wandering into the truly experimental, the surge of excitement for this new album- 2011's 'The King Of Limbs'- quickly proves that the band's popularity has only grown with these changes. With this latest, eighth full-length release in the band's discography, Radiohead once again makes it very clear that while popular, they are far from the mainstream, offering what could be said to be their strangest sounds yet. While it's clear from the first spin onwards that 'The King Of Limbs' might not amount to their golden work at the turn of the millennium, it is an uncompromising listen that begs several listens to really soak up the complex and off- center ideas Radiohead has crafted here.

Developing upon the sound the band dabbled with four years ago with 'In Rainbows', there is a greater lean towards experimental electronics and less actual rock elements than perhaps ever before. In fact, lead guitars can only be heard on a handful of tracks! As a rule, the music is driven by Colin Greenwood's eclectic bass grooves, synthesized drum loops and the signature vocal style of singer Thom Yorke. While the set-up here may be simple, 'Bloom' quickly puts the record straight; the swing of the drum patterns is layered over with off-time electronic tones, and upright bass work that sounds like it could have been a perfect fill-in to play with Miles Davis. While the music's atypical combinations of sounds and experimental attitude are easily enough to keep a listener interested, the vocals of Yorke lack the sort of profound melodies that made earlier work such a hit, on this opening track, and many of the other stranger tracks here.

The single 'Lotus Flower' is a fitting single for the album; as the first taste many listeners will have gotten of this album, it hints at the direction, generally solemn mood of the music, but all the while fusing the formula with some beautiful melodic work from Yorke, and a generally more conventional approach than what's on the rest of the album. A tight, simple yet effective bassline with the drum loops makes this a track very representative of the album, but also feels tied into some of the earlier experimental works Radiohead has composed before; most notably 'In Rainbows' and 'Kid A'.

My personal favourite here, is also ironically the most conventional and down-to-earth song that 'The King Of Limbs' can offer; 'Codex', a drone of a piano hymn that features some emotive singing with a simple piano arrangement. Of course, leave it to Radiohead to develop a simple piano song into a more complex piece as it plays on; majestic horns and symphonic flourishes craft a soundscape worthy of a film score. Certainly one of the most beautiful things I've heard the band do thus far.

One gripe the album contends with is the production itself. With such a heavy emphasis on atonal electronics and beats, it can certainly feel like the more human aspects of the music get drowned out by the robotic percussion. While it can work for the most experimental moments of the album, the constant barrage of synthesized beats can overpower the more intricate sections. While always also a risk in experimental music, there is also a feeling that some of the audio effects Radiohead employs here go a tad too far; particularly their loops and modification of vocals.

While there are enough flaws here to rob it of a masterpiece status in my eyes, Radiohead took enough risks with their art here to make an album that should raise quite a few eyebrows over its somewhat brief, yet engaging listen. However, although it may not be as much of a new development from 'In Rainbows' as it could have been, 'The King Of Limbs' is sure to be an album that finds the rare medium of innovation and popular appeal. Especially in a day and age where 'good music' and 'mainstream' are considered polar opposites from each other, it is a precious thing indeed.

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