Last week Thom Yorke and Radiohead producer/Atoms for Peace band member Nigel Godrich hosted a Reddit "Ask Me Anything" session. The results were mostly steeped in shrewd hilarity, though we did learn a few key pieces of information:
-- It's pretty much confirmed that Radiohead is still doin' its thing amidst solo projects, which include, of course, Atoms for Peace's debut album launch and forthcoming tour (more dates TBA). The boys have some kind of plan to bunker down in the studio in September to work some shit out but have already laid down two unfinished tracks in Jack White's studio. SPANK.
--When it comes to what makes a Radiohead cut vs. an Atoms for Peace song, it's kind of whoever's in his orbit at the time. More Thom Yorke collaborations are welcome and can probably be expected.
--Like many other lauded lyricists before him, Thom makes it clear his lyrics don't mean shit on an intellectual level. They're essentially stream of consciousness. Take that as you will.
--What else? Oh yes, Thom takes his coffee strong in the morning but takes plenty of lie down and "upside down" time before a show. One Reddit fan is finally convinced Thom Yorke is Batman. I won't necessarily argue the point.
--When Thom goes for sushi, he digs the sea urchin roe. Best not to send any as a gift.
No sex tapes to report at this time.
xx
Atoms for Peace debut album Amok has been a long time coming, since the extra-Radiohead Thom Yorke baby formed in late 2009.
Alongside Thom, the band consists of Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, Beck/R.E.M. drummer Joey Waronker, and percussionist Mauro Refosco (yeah, I don't know him either, but I'm sure he's a swell guy).
Like Yorke's other solo work, Amok is digital quicksand, sucking you in with its jerky, sometimes spastic mixes. But they're not restless; like all Yorke/Godrich productions, these electronic experiments seem to know what they're doing and where they're going. As per usual, Yorke's ethereal voice navigates the wiry sea with intuition and grace.
Much of what we love about Yorke's non-Radiohead work is that it illustrates in gorgeously unexpected ways how thin the line between man and machine is. At certain points during Amok I find myself wondering "why does he even need a band?" and then I hear some funky bass that is unmistakably Flea, and I am reminded. Actually, thanks again to Flea's backbone of a bass line, "Stuck Together Pieces" is quite groovy.
Atoms for Peace reminds us that we're all pretty much cyborgs now, and clearly, there ain't no shame.
Amok is streaming live until the official release February 25 (or 26, no one can seem to decide). Dig it!
