Thom Yorke's solo record The Eraser

I can tell already from reading some other radiohead/Thom threads that this is going to be a brutal thread of love/hate. I'm suprised no one has started this thread already. I downloaded Thom's new solo release The Eraser last night and i fucking love it. I was a mild fan of Radioheads earlier releases. However when Kid A "first" came out I hated it. I gave it a chance though, and then it turned on me..and i loved it. It was just so diffrent.

I mention Kid A because "The Eraser" has a derivative feel to it, while not at all a copy. I've only listened to it all the way thru once, and some songs a few times like Black Swan, The Eraser, and Atoms for Peace (is that right?). It really got me though.

So, your thoughts, rants, hates, loves on the release?

It's a good piece of work.
I've been listening to it on and off over the last 24 hours - and it has some definate radiohead feels to it. It is a definate departure from the band. Vocally - he's taken some chances and done some interesting things.
And I don't know how much of a Kid A derivative feel it has - obviously he takes a lot of elements from radiohead - because they are obviously in the same place still (which is nice to see) - but its a small departure from radiohead.
Rating: 4/5 Stars - Great Album, but no classic.

I'm am only part way through it. While it is reminiscent of KID A, which is a direct result of him using the material from those session to create the atmospherics and beats for this CD. I am quite pleased thus far. I can tell it is going grow on me.

Right now SKIP DIVIDED is playing, it wants to take off like "a wolf at the door" but contains itself nicely. But that's only a vague sensation. Many more listens are required. Joy.

I agree it's not entirely un-Radiohead sounding. But who cares!

Maybe I feel the Kid A thing, becasue thats where I really got on board with them, and this talks to me. I agree that its not going to be a classic, but rather a sweet something to listen to now and again to remind me of why I like Radiohead...when I AGAIN burnt out on them . While there haven't been that many repsonses to this post (or release in general) here, I'm still suprised theres not more hate posts. When trying to check and see if this thread had already been touched on I found one about some interview...and was suprised at how many people think Thom and the bunch of them suck.

No, really on the itunes page for the cd, it says he took the material for this from the kid A sessions. So it sounds like it because he used pro tools to manipulate the same sounds. It was also made with that same process of cutting up sounds and effecting them.

As for people not liking Thom and the Bunch (so glad the name isn't named that, wink) well someone really loves Elvis and numerous other bands/musicians that I can't stand. Anyway, you'll find that love/hate thing everywhere.

Can you please link to the thread? I am curious what their logic was for not liking radiohead.

it's really good, but I can't help thinking that johnny greenwood hasn't been getting his due share of the credit all these years.

The thread began as a rant about him being a dick in an interview, which i can TOTALLY see. As the thread developed, low and behold, it got snide and full of "Radiohead SUCKS" comments. Thom is a bitch thread

I have my ipod at my desk and am about to give it a little one on one time today.

I think the record's quite good, actually, although the Johnny-Greenwoodness we've all learned to love is absolutely absent here, in my opinion. Also, I'm not particularly fond of the fact that Atoms for Peace reminds me too much of a track by Autechre called 'Slip'. I read elsewhere (I can't remember where) that some guy compared that track with another one by Aphex Twin, so... Perhaps a little lacking in the musical aspect, but a good thing to chew on while we get some new radiohead.

I'm not sure who I'm stealing this joke from, but I would have called the album Kid C-Minus

agreed. personally, i'd rather hear a johnny greenwood solo album.

There actually is a Jonny Greenwood album... sort of. He composed the music for the film "Bodysong" and the CD is quite good. All instrumental.

As for Yorke, I like the record a lot. It seems like a Radiohead record that holds it all in... and I mean that in a good way. I think the way Eraser never really opens up is pretty compelling and makes a dent in a way complimentary to the way his band's records do. Yorke is just such a powerful presence, it's very interesting to see him on such a minimalist canvas, as opposed to the often epic Radiohead dramas. I think it's not classic, but much more than just an asside. It's damn interesting and still one of the better records of the year. I like it as a conversation starter to get us gassed for the upcoming album from the band.

I can listen to it here at the office, and it can just pass by me...then make me listen more closely, then let me carry on. Radiohead, in their digital era, has a lot of music that does this for me. IT forces me to day dream becasue, for the first time in all my music listening..its not about the lyrics. Radiohead, from OK computer on, has been more about what they do as a whole. The vocals are more of another musical intrument to me..and i don't care that much for what he is saying. I recall having listened to Kid A for a bit, then looking up the lyrics on line, and stopping short as I realized I hated his damn drama...but loved his voice. This was a bit revolutionary for me, being that I'm a song writer myself and enjoy lyrics as much as any other aspect of songs.

This release is obviously more aobut his voice then Radiohead stuff. Thus..i am picking up more of what he is saying. I don't seem to hate it as much....even though he is dreadfully negative. I'm actually enjoying his lyrics.

I dunno, I like thom's weird singing style a lot. gosh, what if they made a record together? it could be brilliant!

The Eraser continues to grow on me the more I listen to it. I think it's great.

Only listened to it once so far, so I can't comment in-depth just yet, but what I can say is that his voice is in top form.

It really does get better with each listen. I'm a bit obsessive with anything related to Radiohead as of late and I played Eraser on repeat for 24 hours the other day and it just kept growing on me, when upon first listen, my reaction was rather mixed.

Actually Johnny does appear on theis album it certain places. Some of the sequences were things he originally wrote for Kid A that Thom used for this project. Johnny actually plays the piano bits on the title track as well.

At any rate people in the know have been giving Johnny his props for a while. Funny thing is he almost didn't make it into the group. He's the youngest of the bunch and he used to come to the practices for "On a Friday" with his brother Colin. When they evolved into Radiohead they decided to give him a chance and it worked out beautifully.

listened to it a couple of times and still can't make up my mind if I like it or not

I think its awsome. I listen to it at least once thru daily here at the office. I totally had to brace myself when I started this thread..for all the haters, and while I still think they will come...its nice to see I'm not all alone in diggin on this release like I do.

I just didn't think it worked... i tried and tried to get my head round some of the tracks, but nothing doing... and then... suddenly in one track... it all came together... it all made sense... the track... Harrowdown Hill.

I'm told it's about the suicide of Dr David Kelly, not sure whether anyone can confirm that though?

Open your mind and give it a listen

Loving it. I half expected an even 'bleeper' record then Kid A, but was suprised that is actually a gem of a CD. Favourite tracks at the moment is definitely Harrowdown Hill and Skip Devided. After seeing Radiohead in Hammersmith a few months ago and witnessing their return to guitars, this is probably just an excuse for Thom to get the ambient electronic daydreamy music which doesn't really fit in.... and I'm not complaining at all.

I haven't got it yet. I will at some point... but I just don't feel like it at the moment. I've heard that it's quite a bleak record, and... well, it's middle of summer, and I'm not really in the mood! It's good to hear that his voice is a bit more upfront on this one; he's got one of the most beautiful voices around, but he hasn't seemed interested in letting that show the past few years, and it's a shame.

Well in spite of having been leaked at least a month and a half early, the album debuted at #2 on the US charts and in various other spots of the top 10 in other countries.

I guess somebody's listening to it either way.

Finally brought it, but am I the only one who finds the CD packaging a pain in the arse?