★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

depressing rock with a focus on atmosphere

Moods

A mediocre album for Radiohead fans only

Thoughts

If this weren't a Radiohead record I don't know how I'd feel. I like it overall but I've also given it more listens because I'm a fan of theirs.

There's interesting things happening, the band has become very good at creating an overall vibe, but the songs themselves feel a bit rough. Maybe that's the point: a lot of this is wonderful live and can be fleshed out further into some really engaging live sets. The incorporation of strings reminds me of a smoother version of Beck's string heavy stuff and super furry animals catalog from the 2000's; it's as if Radiohead returns to that period of alt-rock instead of pressing ahead with their own explorations. Maybe they're just getting old, Yorke is pretty lyrical here and I think got divorced right after this came out (might explain the gloom).

Songwriting improves as the album progresses (skip the first three tracks entirely) but this remains a mediocre spot in their catalog.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Radiohead-A-Moon-Shaped-Pool/release/8581632

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI2oS2hoL0k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTAU7lLDZYU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti6qhk3tX2s

Spotify

Schema Info