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| ARTIST: |
Radiohead
(Google this artist) |
| ALBUM: |
I Might Be Wrong/Live Recordings |
| LABEL: |
Capitol Records |
| RELEASED: |
2001 |
Many who saw Radiohead during their Summer 2001 tour were struck by how
different many of the tracks from Kid A and Amnesiac sounded live. In their original studio incarnations, tracks like "Morning Bell" and "Everything in its Right Place" were powerful yet claustrophobic, with nary
a guitar to be heard anywhere. I Might Be Wrong/Live Recordings gives these
songs and several others in the recent Radiohead canon new, completely
invigorating dimensions. It's like hearing them as though they were recorded
during their rise to world domination, instead of their retreat from it.
I Might Be Wrong is one of those records that could be categorized as "a
gift to the fans." Priced as a budget EP and containing only eight-songs, it clocks in at a
whopping 40 minutes -- 11 minutes longer than Weezer's last full-priced
"full-length," release.
Like their incredible live shows, it opens with an incendiary version of
"The National Anthem," with Thom Yorke's frantic scat-singing replacing the
Mingus-inspired horns. And he contributes some heavily caffeinated
tambourine work to the funk-inspired title track. Wrapping things up is
"True Love Waits," a concert favorite for years which has only now made it
onto an official release. Featuring just Tom Yorke and his earnestly
strummed acoustic, it's as tender as the veal cutlet at Il Vagabondo.
In between we are also treated to versions of songs like "Idioteque" and "Like Spinning
Plates." Their more traditional rock arrangements make you
hear the Kid A/Amnesiac versions in a new light, and actually bring those
difficult yet rewarding albums into sharper focus.
While a full-fledged 2-CD release, featuring equally memorable takes of
pre-Kid A favorites like "Airbag" and "Fake Plastic Trees" would have been
a treat, I Might Be Wrong will more than suffice. That is, until Radiohead
drops their next incomprehensible masterpiece.
review by Steve Walsh
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©
Figgle 2001-2007