Popular music has thrown up some obvious pairings over the years: Sonny and Cher, Dolly and Kenny, Britney and Madonna. Then there’s the slightly stranger collaborations: Jack White and Insane Clown Posse; Aerosmith and Run DMC; Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson; Pavarotti and James Brown. Now comes the latest unusual collaboration: Atoms for Peace, featuring Thom Yorke and Flea.
Both musicians are rock royalty in their own right, but the tattoo-adorned LA funk rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers don’t appear to have much in common with eclectic English electro/experimental rock outfit Radiohead. But when Thom Yorke enlisted Flea’s services to play songs off Yorke’s solo album (The Eraser), Atoms for Peace was born, the lineup being rounded off by Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich on keys, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ percussionist Mauro Refosco, and Beck’s drummer Joey Waronker.
From the first beats of opener ‘Before Your Very Eyes’, it becomes immediately obvious that it is actually the combination of Yorke and Godrich that drives the sound of Atoms for Peace. This mellow blend of ghostly electronics, natural and synthetic tones and smooth repetition has become the sound of later Radiohead works, most notably on The King of Limbs. A catchy guitar loop drives the song, with Yorke’s fine vocals layered over the top.
‘Default’, the first song unveiled from the album, follows a similar pattern, although the vocals are more pronounced, but ‘Ingenue’ is far more captivating. It’s a delicate number with lashings of melancholy, backed up by deep bass lines and sounds that conjure up the rainforest. Really. It’s an odd song, but brilliant. Complete with an amazing film clip featuring Yorke’s uninhibited/unhinged dancing alongside Fukiko Takase, it’s the stand out track of Amok.
The making of the album was said to have come about from drunken nights listening to Fela Kuti, and the feverish beats of track five, ‘Unless’ make this influence evident. It manifests itself more fully in the following song, ‘Stuck Together Pieces’. Second single ‘Judge, Jury and Executioner’ returns to Radiohead territory (it wouldn’t sound out of place on Hail to the Thief), as does ‘Reverse Running’ and the album’s title track, although the steady bass is notable enough to remind us that Flea is indeed present.
Despite its multiple contributors, Yorke’s presence dominates throughout, and this will diminish the appeal of Amok for non-Radiohead fans. But for the many, who like me, think everything Yorke touches turns to gold, this album is an interesting and truly engaging listen.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Atoms for Peace – Amok
Out now through XL Recordings/Remote Control
