I already reviewed the first track, so this is the rest of the album. I basically purchased the disc after uploading my initial review so this sort of comes from the first (and partial second) listen to the album. I haven’t gotten super deep into the disc, this is all preliminary first reactions. And it’s a pretty sweet disc, let me tell you. But why don’t you listen for yourself? Download here: https://bundles.bittorrent.com/bundles/tomorrowsmodernboxes/ 

For the uninitiated Thom Yorke is the lead singer of Radiohead, one of the biggest most celebrated and storied bands in the world. He has a history of activism, disillusionment in the current state of the music industry, and because of it a pioneer in many regards of alternative forms of distribution. Which is why this recent release via Bittorrent makes so much sense. His partner in crime is Nigel Godrich, a producer who has worked with Thom since 1994. 20 years of partnership. For his part, Thom has been with Radiohead since 1985, which it was called ‘On a Friday.’ On a Friday became ‘Radiohead’ when EMI asked for a new name, named after a song on the Talking Heads album ‘True Stories.’

Fast forward and Radiohead has eight discs out. This is his second solo effort. He’s also got one disk out with Atoms for Peace. What follows is a track-by-track review of 7 of the 8 tracks on Thom Yorke’s latest offering ‘Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes.’ For the review of the first track, which is also currently being offered as a free download (the entire disc / download is $6), check out the review of that track here.

Guess Again. 

Second track. The piano riff takes me back to Kid A / Amnesiac. I skipped this track accidentally and went back to it, listening to this one out of order. It’s a piano loop, drums played alongside it, layered ever-more, then there’s a change/interlude and back into the original loop. It’s an ominous record-player sounding piano. The drums are drum machine. And there’s some synth strings in the background and stuff. The drum machine variates. “Guess again.” The drums are kind of distorted in some of the hits, like the snare. Maybe maxed out and overdriven, making them crunchy. Fades out nicely.

Interference.

Third track. The third track. Immediately fuzzed out synths start. “We stare into each others eye.” There’s some kindof effect on his voice. Lots of oohs in the background. I wonder if they sampled his voice and then played them through a synth? It almost sounds that way. Very eerie, very cool.

The Mother Lode.

Fourth track. I really like this sample sound. And the bass on the offbeat. There’s a plunky synth / keyboard. Repeating voice samples. And lead voice sung over the top. There’s a lot of texture in this. The drums came in, spastic almost. Thom does a good job of writing music you can dance to. Is this sort of a happy medium between some of the more modern EDM trends and good old fashioned Radiohead music tropes? Perhaps. Perhaps that’s what this disc is.

The soaring synth over the top of the track adds another dimension. This is music that’s designed to get lost into. This ones a lot longer at 6 minutes. I have to say I definitely am way more into this than The Eraser.

“Hits the Ground Running.” You don’t always discern what words he sings, but its almost intentional, in the sense that this is clearly atmospheric, almost soundtrack style music. Which is definitely one of the reasons I’m into what he does.

At times lounge / house influenced. Not something I’m going to complain about, I’m a fan. 

Truth Ray. 

Fifth track. Almost hip hop sounding beat starting. I feel like if there was hip-hop on this it’d almost be a dreamy Chi-raq sound. I dig this stuff, almost Nujabes sounding ambient chill-out dreamscapes. Thom is definitely in the business (and Nigel of course) of creating well crafted, simplistic but potent grooves and soundscapes. Nearly everything on this album so far has been textured in its delivery. “Oh my god, oh my god.”

I’ve always felt like there was a tribal element to what Thom and the rest of the Radiohead gang did. It’s almost as if when the lyrics end, the song really begins.

There is no Ice (For My Drink). 

Sixth track. This song title is hilarious. You can almost imagine Thom at some restaurant or bar and maybe seeing someone say something, or thinking the thought himself. Snare on the off beats, really cool low pitch synth stuff. Another 6 minute track.

Pink Section

Seventh track. Very distorted piano sound, with some fading oohs in the background. I almost feel like I’m listening to Skywalker sound in the 70’s if they made music instead of movies. I’m digging the experimental bent on this disc.

Nose Grows Some

Eighth and final track. Pinocchio reference? Droning synth, slightly dark and abrasive. A bit ominous at times. Piccalo synth sound? I wonder if Thom makes these beats. They’re pretty awesome.

10/10

Way better than The Eraser, this feels like the Thom Yorke solo disc we were all hoping for the first time around. It’s really really good. Like a lost Radiohead album, but sparse in all the ways you want it to be. There’s no Johnny, no Phil, just Thom. And in that, there’s some elegance in design. Things sound smoother, sparser, and its very atmospheric, very soundtrack. This is an album you’ll enjoy listening to again and again. Ear candy might be an apt description. The lyrics, as usual, are sparse, but the arrangements often times are more than enough to hold your attention and transport you to a different frame of mind. As expected, very otherworldly, lots of textured sound, and lyrics that pop through the mix at times and surprise you, perhaps haunt you after the fact. Buy this album, it’s only six bucks. And it rocks. And its like, sticking it to the man somehow by being a torrent-related download. (And by virtue pro-torrent). I can’t say enough good things about this disc. My inner-Radiohead fan is rejoicing that this exists. Something new to feverishly listen to until the next release in a year or two. Crack for the Radiohead addict. Or perhaps a great way for a new listener to get acclimated to the Radiohead / Yorke sound. Good job Thom!

P.S. If you haven’t yet gotten enough Yorke, read this, perhaps the best article written on anyone ever.