Radiohead
Singles from the album Hail to the Thief
Constantly slipping through the fingers of musicians everywhere are those unreleased tracks from their latest albums that for some reason didn't make it onto the album. Most bands try to capitalize on them by releasing them with other, previously released songs, on singles. Unfortunately,the mass populous usually overlooks or dismisses these tracks, so it is up to fans to bring them to light.
Radiohead is notorious for throwing unreleased tracks out in the most obscure places. There are so many tracks released around the world, but not in the United States, that Americans are missing out on some of the best Radiohead ever.
Radiohead has released at least five singles from its most recent album, Hail to the Thief: "2+2=5 Parts I and II," "Go to Sleep Parts I and II," and "There, There. Most of the previously unreleased tracks are imports and are amazing, though some are inevitably doubtful.
The most questionable of these is probably Chilean-born Christian Vogel's remix of "Myxomatosis," humorously named "Remyxomatosis." Vogel is a leader in experimental electronic music in England and across Europe, but his interpretation of Radiohead is weak at best.
"Myxomatosis" already has an edgy, grinding electronic feel to it and Vogel takes it too far. His sounds and samples are respectable, but his beats and use of lead singer Thom York's crooning vocals puts an end to this song.
Along with Vogel's mix on the first 2+2=5 single is the first recorded demo of "There, There." This demo version is obviously not a good as the album version, but it is interesting to hear how they changed the song for the album.
The other electronic singles are superb. Possibly the best, from 2+2=5, is a remix of "Scatterbrain" by the experimental genius Four Tet. Not only does the remix stay very true to the original song, but it gives it so many more levels and so much more depth. It is beautiful.
The "There, There" single has two more songs that lean toward the electronic persuasion, both done by Radiohead. "Paperbag Writer" and "Where Bluebirds Fly" are dense electronic compositions, reminiscent of some of the tracks on Amnesiac. They're fairly mellow and add a lot of depth to the sound.
One of the greatest things about Radiohead is that though its sound may have changed and incorporated more electronic elements, the members stay true to their roots in rock. The second "Go to Sleep" single has two of the best acoustic Radiohead songs ever. "I am a Wicked Child" has a gritty record sound that almost has a country twang to it, not surprising for Radiohead. "Gagging Order" is straight acoustic, and amazing. As the name, and the lyrics, suggest, this song is a social commentary, which also is not surprising. This song is awe-inspiring.
Usually the hardcore fans are the ones to find these jewels, but sometimes these tracks are as good as, if not better than, the tracks on the albums themselves. You don't have to be a diehard fan to check out some really good music.