Whoa! This was unexpected. I don’t think there are very many people reacting to this song on RU-vid, but I’m glad you did! It’s definitely up there as one of my favourite Thom solo songs. Maybe even one of my favourite songs he has written period. I think top to bottom this is my favourite Thom solo album out of the 3. I just like the minimal production and instrumentation on it along with some of his most overtly political lyrics. It always felt like an album where he didn’t overthink what he was doing on it and was just messing around on his laptop. I actually do think that was how the record was made (someone can correct me on that, it’s been a while since this album came out!).
I think one of the greatest lessons from this album is that it gives you real insight into the type of song outline that Thom brings to Radiohead before four other band members flesh it out. Thom has long espoused that rhythm is more important than melody, and he usually programs them out, leaving Phil Selway to figure it out. In 2011, when they were working on The King of Limbs, Phil took Thom's programmed rhythms to Clive Deamer of Portishead to help him work them out, and they could only do so with two drummers, which is when Clive became part of their band. (Kinda) Anyway, a lot of Radiohead songs start out as these type of more sparse ideas from Thom's brain.
Seen a few of your Radiohead, The Smile, Tool and now Thom Yorke videos. I do enjoy the laid back manner in which you present your opinions and insights. Of all Thom’s solo work, this album is what I’m most familiar with. The Clock and Black Swan being my personal favourites.
First time hearing this too. Thanks. Very nice the way the piano doesn't ring out and then with the electronic drums, gives it a nice punch to it, and my gosh, Thom's backing vocals, such a nice touch.
"...a self-fulfilling prophecy, of endless possibility..." I've got track 2 in my head now! Analyse, The Clock, Black Swan, Harrowdown Hill, and my weird little favourite, Cymbal rush, are all great and massively under-reacted to.
Thank you so much for doing this. I can’t speak to how much I enjoy and appreciate it. Thom (and Radiohead) has always been very special to me and often I’m reminded that other people think the same, but it’s so elating to find people who I get to watch DISCOVER the same enjoyment for themselves. It’s challenging music, or so people tend to say. I don’t know enough about music theory, but I love learning more about it through channels like yours and from communities that come to discuss. Thanks everyone. What a blast.
this song would really pair well with the 2004 movie "Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind" about a man who decided to get an experimental medical procedure to erase his memory of his Ex girlfriend after she had done it previously to forget him
This entire album is so special to me. It's very different to Radiohead, but it has some of Thom's best ever writing and I found it at such a perfect time in my life. There's one on the album called Black Swan that has such a Red Hot Chilli Peppers sound, it's wild, and Harrowdown Hill is so anthemic.
Someone has probably already commented this, but apparently Jonny Greenwood has forbidden Thom Yorke to learn music theory since he's convinced it will interfere with the way he makes music haha
i would love if you checked out Sail To The Moon by Radiohead. a beautiful track that is also incredibly complicated. there are a total of around 30 time signature changes, and you can’t even notice if you’re not listening for it
I always heard "the Clock" from this album as Thom doing a Richie Havens song, ...like, intentionally. Seems pretty common creative process to think "this sounds like a *insert artist here* song", and that influencing how you develop it; He's said that was the case for most OK Computer tracks.
Hi there - wanted to say how much I'm loving these reactions. You have a terrific ear, and your responses are always so intelligent (both musically and emotionally), it's fast becoming my favourite reaction channel. My personal recommendations would be a) any performance of Cymbal Rush (Henry Rollins for something a bit stripped back, or live with Atoms For Peace for something more hectic). As you've commented in other videos, their chord sequences are pretty sublime, and the second half of this one is up there with Jigsaw/and that bit in Bodysnatchers for me (not sure if you've done Bodysnatchers yet?) Oh, and while I'm here and being all cheeky and entitled, I don't know how acquainted you are with Joanna Newsom? In my opinion she's one of the greatest artists there's ever been, for so many reasons, and I would eagerly consume anything you reacted to of hers. But yes, I'll stop being so demanding now - please keep doing what you're doing, it's so great.
