SONGS THAT DEFINE THE DECADE: #3

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Ice age is coming, Ice age is coming,

Kid A’s defining moment as an album comes in the form of the futuristic sound of synthesised beats, electronic drums and Thom Yorke’s infamous vocals, combined in perfect symmetry in the song that is Idioteque. This for me is the very essence of Radiohead; a cutting edge track in the form of samples, computer wizzard-ry and the combined effort of both Jonny Greenwood and Yorke.

Whilst the lyrics allude to the theme of an ‘apocalypse’ the forward thinking electronic sounds seems to undermine this and suggest hope, this juxtaposition of music and lyrics in such a way help to create the dimension and atmosphere in which Radiohead inhabit, one which to those observers on the ‘outside’ without true understanding would simply brand as ‘depressing’.

The song works as a centre point to Kid A, (the album to which pitchfork recent crowned album of the decade) in more ways than one. The visual imagery Yorke’s lyrics impose seem to be intrinsically linked if not paralleled in Stanley Downwood’s beautifully bleak album artwork.

This for me is one of, if not Radiohead’s most perfect songs, his vocal line; ‘Here I’m allowed everything all of the time’ is so beautifully alluring and non specific that it could be interpreted in a thousand different ways. My favourite interpretation would be the idea Yorke recognises the fundamental importance of expression through art, and in doing so the bleak landscape he details and his wish to save the ‘women and children first’ is a bid to ensure the legacy of art, music, you name it continues for ever and ever. This ability to evoke such deep and powerful meaning coupled with the engaging sound of the future is why I believe this to be one of the greatest tracks of the decade.

mp3: Radiohead – Idioteque

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