THE DAILY MAIL / STAIRCASE

Here are two songs that Radiohead was working on during "The King of Limbs" studio sessions but they were both in the demo stage when the album was finished. I think they would have worked to strengthen that album if they would have held off releasing this album until these songs were finished. "The King of Limbs" was a short enough album so there was plenty of room for 2 more great songs like these. These tracks are only available on this single or on the live video "The King of Limbs: Live from the Basement". Too bad these tracks will not be considered part of the regular repertoire put out by Radiohead because they are both very good songs. "The Daily Mail" starts out as a simple and beautiful voice/piano but builds up as it goes on and even adds in a brass section. It is more of a driving, mid-tempo piece that you wish was even longer. "Staircase" is more of an up tempo song with the full band playing throughout. It is also a nice traditional style track. There really isn't any experimentation involved and they are not heavy electronic tracks like most of the tracks on "The King of Limbs" which might be why it was decided to leave them off. I think it would have added to the album myself especially if the other single (Supercollider) were added also. These tracks would have rounded the album out nicely. As it is, these songs are bound to be forgotten because of they are not so readily available. Since there are only 2 songs here, the entire listening experience only leaves you wanting more. As individual songs, they are at least 4 star songs, but as a collective listening experience, I can only rate this at 3 stars because it just isn't long enough.