The Undercover Review by Tim Cashmere

Radiohead had tried ever so hard to discourage their commercialization with the release of Kid A and to a lesser extent Amnesiac, but it only made them stronger. Now with the first solo album from any Radiohead member, you can experience the sound without the hype.

This particular album is the score to the movie Bodysong and like many scores set to a movie, without having seen the movie it is difficult to comment on its relevance but certainly after listening to the atmospheric sounds from 'Moon Trills' to the chaotic and percussive 'Convergence' it is difficult not to want to see this film.

'Splitter' brings brass instruments into the album and is a flat out jazz track, albeit anything but standard, but with fantastic drums and chaotic (I am aware that's the second usage of that word this review) trumpet this is undeniably a fascinating four minutes.

That same jazz band returns on 'Milky Drops from Heaven' which is occasionally interrupted with Greenwood blitzing the analogue synth domain.

The album closes where it began, a melancholic piece entitled 'Tehellet' performed by a string quartet and some hazy effects floating in the background.

This is a moody piece of music and like most moody pieces, if you're not in the mood, it's not going to get you there. At the same time, if you are in the mood you won't want to turn it off!

Tracklisting:

Moon Trills
Moon Mall
Trench
Iron Swallow
Clockwork Tin Soldiers
Convergence
Nvdnik Headache
Peartree
Splitter
Bode Radio/Glass Light/Broken Hearts
24 Hours Charleston
Milky Drops from Heaven
Tehellet

Label : EMI