In 2022, supergroup trio The Smile is launched. A light to attract attention with significant critical and commercial praise. It's no surprise, considering the trio includes Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, one of the most successful songwriting duos of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
On the album, the pair and Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner delivered a compelling analysis of life during Covid. The album was full of post-punk riffs, Afro rhythms, free jazz and large portions of electronica. It reflected everything Yorke and Greenwood had learned from Radiohead and their long list of side projects.
The band would go on tour that same year. Concertgoers were treated to live versions of songs from the album with additional jam sessions and some new tracks. These impromptu live outings would produce a wealth of material that would become The Smile's long-awaited release. wall of eyes.
While the first album saw the band go wild with some of their favorite genres, the latest release is a little more introspective lyrically, but once again offers a wide menu of sound sources. In wall of eyes, Thom Yorke examines the underlying melancholy as he realizes that life's ironies persist. Additionally, Greenwood showcases his mastery of string work from his Radiohead incarnation and exceptional orchestral scores. Throughout the eight songs, the listener can choose various tips for almost every album in Radiohead's discography. The mastery is palpable as the songs oscillate between esoteric genres and middle-of-the-road pop selections.
wall of eyes sees The Smile hone from the thirteen offered on the debut to eight tracks on this outing. Starting with the title track, “Wall of Eyes”, it opens with a king of members vibe. It has an ethereal stream-of-consciousness feel until it breaks into a synth segment that offers more sinister undertones. Yorke's voice twists and turns throughout the track as she points out how unworthy we are of living as well as we do and the cost to those less fortunate. The track ends in a cacophony as the journey through this album begins.
“Teleharmonic” could have come out immediately A moon-shaped pool. It's loaded with resonant vocals, punctuated drums, and spiraling synths. The threads of this track move and weave to produce a glorious sonic experience. Lyrically, Yorke wonders where all the machinations of society are headed, best expressed by the interrogative chorus, “Where are you taking me?” Of the two slower tracks, “Read the Room” shakes things up. The song reveals a twisted guitar riff and throws in a very heavy bass. This is Greenwood's guitar playing of yesteryear, attacking the guitar as Yorke reverts to his “Brat Yorke” of the curves person of the time. Lyrically, Yorke argues with those caught up in his ego trips and fails to see how we are hurtling down the road to hell. He is also worth admiring Skinner's rhythm and blues drumming style.
“Read the Room” is one of the most satisfying tracks on the recording until “Under Our Pillows” unfolds. This masterpiece is addictive with a tremendous guitar opening, lovely jazz overtones and Skinner's inspired drums. The construction of this song walks a tightrope as it offers three distinctive sound parts. It started with a mix of rock and jazz, then morphed into a psychedelic dream and landed with an interstellar vibe that could have been the follow-up to “Motion Picture Soundtrack” by child to. The track is definitely a must listen to on the album.
“Friend of a Friend” could be characterized as an homage to piano pop, think Paul McCartney or Neil Finn. It starts with a stripped-down piano, adds drums, and then Greenwood's beautiful strings in the back half. It has the glorious feel of “A Day in the Life” meets “The National Anthem.” You need to listen to the track to fully appreciate it. “Bending Hectic” offers the atmosphere of a nightspot. Yorke's voice takes center stage as we get another slice of Greenwood's impeccable strings. The lyrics talk about control and the need to let go of the wheel to let life happen. The song is the longest on the album at over eight minutes, but the song's payoff is at the end, as it ends with a vast, anathematic Ziggy Stardust closer. Greenwood seamlessly transitions the beautiful strings into a magnificent guitar explosion that should not be missed.
The final song, “You Know Me,” turns that sentiment on its head when Yorke suggests that we can never truly know another person; We are all unknowable to each other, “Don't think you know me, don't think I'm everything you say…” Sharp piano and whispering vocals build tension as a volley of strings closes the album.
wall of eyes shows that both Yorke and Greenwood, assisted by Skinner, are never afraid to take the road less traveled. They expertly weave together genres that, on paper, shouldn't work, and get compelling results. Yorke and Greenwood have nothing left to do but demonstrate that they continue experimenting, seeking excellence in the study.
wall of eyes is a must-have addition to any serious Radiohead disciple's collection. However, the album can be considered on its own as a carefully written piece of sound art. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the time spent in the lab with these three sound scientists will eventually help create a spectacular new Radiohead album when all five members reunite again. wall of eyes It's a work in itself, but it could easily be an appetizer for Radiohead's next mind-blowing album. Regardless of whether that happens, wall of eyes It is an enriching listening experience.
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