Atoms for Peace: AMOK

Released today in Australia
25 February in Europe/26 February in US

Stream it:
http://amok.atomsforpeace.info/


When Thom Yorke released The Eraser in 2006, it was revealed to be an interesting project, not too far from the recent experiments being conducted in Yorke's full time band Radiohead, but also not as complex or innovative as any of that band's releases. It was comprised of small songs awash in electronic glitches and flourishes. It was obviously a solo record, put together in Yorke's spare time with help from Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich. So it had a cohesive if ethereal atmosphere, and a few tracks stood out enough to prompt return listens.

So now, nearly 6 years later, Yorke returns to the same territory, bringing along the band he threw together to perform The Eraser songs live. And what a band it is. Made up of Yorke, Godrich, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, session drummer extraordinaire Joey Waronker (who's recorded with REM, Beck, Paul McCartney, Bat for Lashes) and percussionist Mauro Refosco (who's worked with David Byrne and Brian Eno), the newly christened Atoms for Peace (awful name) have dropped AMOK (great title).

And it's a little disappointing. And it's entirely the fault of my expectations.

When the The Eraser arrived, I didn't expect a whole lot, so when it delivered an interesting, but somewhat slight experience, I was pleasantly surprised. After all, Yorke pretty much did it by himself.

And now, with the promise of a full band augmenting Yorke's modest compositions, I expected something more revelatory, or at least a little grander, than what has arrived.  I can't hear the augmentation, is what I'm saying. For the most part, it still sounds like Yorke and Godrich tinkering in the basement. The additional three gifted musicians appear to be largely absent.

I haven't read any liner notes (the physical album has only become available today), but I'd be shocked if the entire band plays together on more than a single song (and that song would probably be Judge,Jury and Executioner- where you can actually hear Fleas's fingers sliding along the bass strings). The shame is that that sense of group dynamism is what seems to be missing from most of the album.
 
Like Eraser, there are some standout tracks. Default builds upon a distinctly Burial-inspired loop to become a beautifully layered crescendo of vocals loops and synths. And Ingenue sounds like Yorke recorded a lullaby to tape and then ran it backwards (it's a good thing).

The album may prove a grower (in fact, the more I write about it, the more I find to like) and I imagine that these songs, performed live with a full band, would be far more immersive than on this recording (anyone who has seen Radiohead in concert knows how startling a live rendition of a glitchy ballad can be).

Don't let my expectations put you off- this is just a cautionary word that you should keep yours in check. If Thom Yorke was releasing Eraser II: Return of Eraser: The Reckoning, you'd likely be really happy with this record. As it is, you may only be happily disappointed.