Thom Yorke likes to keep busy. Atoms for Peace, initially a collective with the intention of performing Yorke’s debut solo album The Eraser live, have delivered its debut album Amok on the masses. The first thing you may wonder (as I did) was “how is this any different than Radiohead?” or any of Yorke’s solo work, for that matter. The subtle gloom and cryptic doom is intact yet the textures are, for lack of a better word, different.
First single “Default” is held together with the tinny electronic pitter patter of drums which collides in a wash of digital waves during the chorus in which Yorke laments “The will is strong but the flesh is weak”. That line could be perceived as a statement that this album is making. Some critics would say Yorke’s weighty subject matter doesn’t stand up on its own without a rock band behind him but Amok proves otherwise. Much like the last proper Radiohead single “Lotus Flower”, Yorke is front and center while the polyrhythms and electronics neatly flail around him. This observation could also be seen as a downside of the album. Everything is too much in its right place. Enlisting seminal funk punk bassist Flea into the mix was a surprisingly interesting move but his signature slaps and pops are missing, which gives way to the idea that Amok is a collaboration in theory only. The pace livens a bit by the middle of the record as “Dropped” lays down some jaunty bass runs but its a missed opportunity for Yorke to break from the parameters of the electronic purgatory Amok is entrenched in.
As a standalone album, Amok serves as a somewhat unsatisfactory pacifier until the next Radiohead album and/or one-off Yorke collaboration. I would punch a small child in the face repeatedly for a full Flying Lotus/Burial colab album but Amok may ultimately fair better as a template for a remix album not unlike TKOL RMX 1234567. For most, Amok’s dense production and punchy percussion will serve well for late night trysts and disorientating Gobi tents in equal measure.
Can't agree more. Nothing really grabs at you and although it's a "fine rock album", this is 2012. I could just listen to Tom Petty if I want to listen to a "fine rock band"
NOW we got a list game going!
1. Paranoid Android
2. Pyramid Song
3. Optimistic
4. Bloom
5. Sail to the Moon
6. Climbing Up the Walls
7. Bodysnatchers
8. Anyone Can Play Guitar
9. Kid A
10. Lotus Flower
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