Customer Reviews

Spitting Feathers, 5 B-Sides and 1 Video [EP]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has definitely proved himself as a solo musician, after the release of the moody-computer "Eraser."

He's not quite as brilliant in "Spitting Feathers," with five B-sides scattered on various singles, and the music videos for his hit single "Harrowdown Hill." But remember: even B-level Thom Yorke is better than average, and this little EP has the same haunted, eerie feeling as his album.

The first song "Drunkk Machine" lives up to its name: a sort of drowsier, slurred song full of weird noises, crackling and sharp beats. Then it builds in intensity like a haunted house imploding on itself. It's followed by the softer, trippier beats of "Rat's Nest," only to switch to "Jetstream." Very frantic, claustrophobic and skittery, with Yorke sounding as if he's on the edge of a nervous breakdown.

We're then given the extended mix of "Harrowdown Hill," which expands the melancholy political ballad into a sprawling, solemn melody with some sharp beats. And finally there's "Iluvya," which is a sputtering, wild little song full of staccato synth and blurred voices say "I luuuuhuvvv YYAAAAA..." Very Aphex Twinnish.

Then we have the music video -- hoo boy. The political themes of "Harrowdown Hill" are even more explicit in the video, which has blurred, fast-moving images of political marches, upraised hands, angry cops, and a hawk swooping through it all. It climaxes with the sight of a seemingly dead Yorke plunging into the water, and slowly sinking. (Contrary to advertising, the video for "Analyse" was evidently ditched)

"Spitting Feathers" is something that takes a little time to grow on you, primarily because the songs are so widely ranging -- some are jagged and crackly, and some are dreamy and smooth. But while these are not quite as brilliant as his other songs, Yorke's talent for odd, creepy little songs is undeniable.

The synth presence is pretty strong here -- sharp beats, smooth ambient sweeps, and fuzzy spatterings like a sonic Jackson Pollock. Haunting vocals from Yorke add to the feeling, with lyrics full of decaying beauty. "This is a ghost coach/we are riding... between the whipcrack/and the moonbeams/I can hear somebody laughing."

"Spitting Feathers" is a worthwhile little EP, if you have the cash to spare -- it has Yorke exploring softer music and trippy, wild stuff that experimental bands would not be ashamed of.

I wish musicians and bands would do this more!!!! An EP that has no slack or filler. Sweet short and simple. Although, this music is by no means simple or sweet on face value, it is haunting and synthesized. This strikes the same vein as the Kid A - Amnesiac saga -- and could be viewed as a chilling addition, expect that it's not Radiohead here, but Thom Yorke! This man continues to amaze me with the effects and extensive use of synthesizers all by his lonesome. This album is a very impressive effort that stands proudly next to its predecessor, _The Eraser_. I think it foreshadows more good things to come from Thom Yorke's solo career.

This EP is very overpriced. Though I like the music tracks that are on it, it's just not worth the price. The quality of the video (as in the encoding, not the production) is so low that that doesn't add much value to the purchase either. I'd venture to guess you could find a higher-quality encoding of the video on bittorrent somewhere. This purchase is only for the most most hardcore fans and collectors.

People that are ordering this album are forgetting that fact that you are ordering an IMPORT cd. Needless to say, it comes from another country. Take the price increase into affect once you realize that fact. Album is wonderful and is NOT over-rated or overly pricey, contrary to popular belief.

if you love radiohead/thom yorke there's no doubt that you'll enjoy this ep. harrowdown hill's extended remix is even lovelier than the original. the video is great too. definitely recommend!

I love this CD. When away from Radiohead Yorke goes VERY electronic, more-so than when with Radiohead. I like it in small doses. But then ultimately after a few songs I just start jonesing for the whole band. These songs work well within playlists, especially The Drunkk Machine, and A Rats Nest. Worth getting for anyone who is a fan. Do You LOVE eraser? if so you will LOVE spitting feathers. The video is OK, Plays fine on my OSX machine but the viewer window is quite small Approximately 6x4" which was a disappointment. The content of the video is of typical Yorke political imagery. Worth a view.

I would have rated 5 stars but for the price tag. It is a bit steep for what you get.

The four b-side songs definitely go off on a slightly different tangent from the sound of "The Eraser" thus it's easy to see why Thom decided not to include them. However, together on this 5 track EP they actually mesh quite well. Darker than anything on "The Eraser", the ambience on here has a strong resemblance to Autechre but the cleverly composed vocals add a new dimension that is completely original. This is Thom at his most angry and dismal, but it's as brilliant as ever.

The first song "Drunkk Machine" starts off with deep buzzing mechanical drones and a harsh reverberating synth track. Thom snarls dystopian lyrics in a monotone voice over a churning din of synth and syncopated beats. Towards the end the song goes completely haywire with a buildup of hissing sounds and muffled human screams, as if the machine is about to self destruct.

The second song "A Rat's Nest" is more subdued and fluid than the others, yet it evokes thoughts of an inexorable evil and a hopeless situation. The song starts out with some high pitched warbling notes followed by a flowing deep-hypnotic fuzzy-synth/electro-beat track that slowly fills in and continues through the entire song. Thom sings in his normal voice here. I almost get a chill later in the song where additional layers of synth and spooky warbling sounds fade in and out just before the vocals cut out leaving that ominous slow thumping beat to finish the song.

"Jetstream" is my favorite track. It's an absolutely haunting tune. The sounds vaguely resemble flutes and organ pipes with Thom singing/chanting in a very panicky/neurotic cadence over a stampeding, heavily syncopated percussion track. I can only imagine the lyric "I wanna turn back" being whimpered by a shell-shocked victim curled up in the fetal position on the floor rocking. Only Thom Yorke can turn the sounds of abject misery into a captivating tune.

The extended mix of "Harrowdown Hill" isn't too different from the original release other than having extended ambient breakdowns. However, it's one of those songs that sounds better extended to 7:00 minutes IMO.

The final track "Ilovya" is a bit out there, chaotic and completely instrumental, other than some odd vocal yelpings. Probably my least favorite because I enjoy it more when Thom Yorke sings. Fans of experimental electronic music may like this though.

It's more from Mr. Yorke. Need I say more?