Kid A by Radiohead a New Album for a New Age

I worked at the Barnes and Noble part time when they used to have a good music section. People bought compact discs then. The customers even bought books on compact discs (now audible.com). B&N had the current popular albums and some obscure sounds.

I never thought much of Radiohead at the time. “Creep” was an anomaly. It was a big hit and it was louder than the usual songs. That song was very 1990s, but it held up. Radiohead did these maudlin songs that didn’t sound interesting on radio. “Fake Plastic Trees” was a good song, but not on radio.

Out of boredom one day, I sampled “Kid A.” “Everything in its right place” was so different from anything out there at the time. There was synth, but Thom Yorke’s voice was metallic. The song had this dreamy vibe with repeating lyrics and dueling synths.

I had to hear more. “National Anthem” was just as mechanic and yet emotional. “Idioteche” what was it? I don’t know.

Before writing this I looked up the lyrics. Bob Dylan need not worry  about being replaced. It didn’t matter that there aren’t a lot of lyrics. The vocals became an instrument in the songs. The words didn’t matter, just the sounds of the words completed the sonic picture.

I was at an age where Rock wasn’t doing it anymore. There were occasional good songs, but I hadn’t heard a reason to follow the genre. Nu-Metal was big but dying out. The beginning of a new music started, but it hadn’t had a name. Today they call it “longe” “pulse” or “electronic jazz.” This album fit that new indescribable genre. It may have been that genre’s first hit. It is on the Top 500 list because of that.