345) The Smile - Wall of Eyes

Radiohead did nine albums in twenty-three years and its nine years since we last heard from them with A Moon Shaped Pool however, they have recently announced concerts so let’s hope for a new record one day.

Each member has done individual projects but as I said back in review eleven over three years ago a band called The Smile produced the single of the year for me with You Will Never Work in Television Again.

Unless you have been living in a cave  you will know that The Smile are two of Radiohead’s members, lead singer Thom Yorke, and guitarist Johnny Greenwood who join forces with drummer Tom Skinner, on this record the London Contemporary Orchestra ably assists them.

Greenwood was seemingly keen to get music out there and this was their second record released within two years and a third record following barely nine months later, they were not messing about.

The title track opens the record with a beautiful acoustic guitar with interesting moments in the background and there is a warmth to the song that wraps around you and Teleharmonic is all synth and delicate drums from Skinner.

Read the Room is the first highlight, in case you don’t know this and it may shock you but these three are superb musicians, Greenwood’s guitar restrained and all over the place at the same time, Skinner knowing exactly what is needed and Yorke stretching his vocals, listen to the shift three minutes in and they do exactly the same with Under Our Pillows adding strings to enhance.

Friend of a Friend and I Quit marvel at Yorke’s voice then listen again and enjoy the beauty of the music and then listen again and let both hypnotise you.

Bending Hectic is eight minutes of just, what’s the word, ah yes brilliance. The guitars sound as if they are being tuned then the strings arrive and Skinner’s minimal drumming follows Yorke then the strings rise and Greenwood lashes out and we have organised chaos, cannot be faulted. The record ends with You Know Me! Yorke, piano, strings and beauty.

Yes, that’s what this record is a thing of beauty.

9/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Bending Hectic