Airbag/How Am I Driving? [EP] [Limited Edition] [EP] [LIMITED EDITION]

Radiohead

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 1, 2007)
• Original Release Date: April 21, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP, Limited Edition
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000006352
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,247 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Pop > Britpop

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Radiohead's American follow-up to OK Computer is essentially a glorified single for "Airbag," the song that also opens the album, with six new tracks appended (including an instrumental). They're mostly cut from the same cloth as the album, but briefer and flinchier--Thom Yorke's voice, gentle and clear as it is, seems like it can barely push past waves of horror into audibility. Once again, they plumb a few Pink Floydian tricks--the tapes of not-quite-clear voices that open "A Reminder," the pacing, descending riff of "Pearly"--and, though none of the new tracks is quite up to the level of OK Computer (they could well be outtakes), they fit together into a short, despairing suite. --Douglas Wolk

Product Description
Back in stock! Limited edition EP from one of the most popular British bands of the decade. Features 'Airbag' pulled from the OK Computer album plus six non-album tracks: 'Pearly', 'Meeting In The Aisle', 'A Reminder', 'Polythelyne (Parts 1 & 2)', 'Melatorin' and 'Palo Alto'. Parlophone.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars satisfying - a worthy add-on, December 12, 1999

By	michael (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

'How Am I Driving' never pretends to be more than an EP, which is a good thing. In fact, it's pretty darn quirky, right down to the stark white packaging from the band's long-time house artist Stan Donwood. Treat it as a companion piece to 1997s 'Ok Computer' and you'll be in fine shape.

Like a companion piece should, 'How Am I Driving' adds a little more color to the already wonderful pallette drawn out by 'Ok Computer.' Though the general motifs remain, including the band's unique spin on clausterphobic modernity, the atmosphere here is lighter and more raw - even a bit gritty. 'Polythelene Parts 1 & 2,' for instance, begins with a quiet acoustic passage from frontman Thom Yorke, followed by a gruff count-off ("one, two, three four!") before erupting into a brash, guitar-driven anthem. This sort of deliberate unrefinement simply wouldn't have flown too well on the smooth, polished 'Ok Computer' - but here, slightly taken out of its forebearer's ambitious context, it's just great. Also noteworthy is 'Melatonin' - an off-beat lullaby performed over a synthesizer. "Death to all who stand in your way" Thom warbles in a hushed, sleepy-time voice. 'Pearly' also deserves mention for its unusual, grating sound and rough-hewn lyricism.

It's a nice hold-over until the next full-length album arrives.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice companion to "OK Computer.", April 29, 2007

By	Zen Station "http://www.rateyourmusic.com/~so... (The Graceful Swans of Never) - See all my reviews

I've always heard from many Radiohead fans about the quality of the B-sides being pretty good, and while I wanted to get a hold of the stuff, most of it was imports so I thought it was a sky high investment, if I were to do it. And I didn't get into Radiohead until a few years after even this compilation. And it's a great compilation, even if a little bit incomplete for some.

I really love OK Computer and was looking forward to the B-side. People who own that album already know the first track, "Airbag," which is Radiohead greatness, and with some excellent Thom Yorke lyrics, guitar effects and playing, and such. It's actually the song that inspired me to buy said album.

As for the B-sides, they aren't as good as that album, but I think it's far above average, even for B-sides. I really liked the instrumental "Meeting in the Aisle," as well as the others. The songs here are actually pretty catchy, particularly in "Palo Alto," the last track on the record. It's back in print after a long time. So no longer is it "limited edition" as Amazon.com lists. And at some places it is sold at a very good price; you can get it for roughly eight bucks at your nearest Best Buy.

Overall, a casual Radiohead fan may not want this, but if you're into the group already, I recommend it. And in comparison to the actual studio albums, I'd actually put it ahead of the last two LP's, as well as of course Pablo Honey (has moments but is scattershot).

Dear Amazon: "OK Computer" is the title of that album, and taking it out of my title makes no sense at all. Also, I apologize for price comparisons, although I'd either be a lot poorer or would own way less music if I never did such a thing.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars really quite good, January 21, 2000

By	J. Buckley (washington, dc) - See all my reviews

I was just wanting something more, and this short CD provides a really good extension of OK computer: the seven songs are as symphonically complicated as the OK Computer sound, and yet there is one track, I think the last one, which really rocks out and should be listened to VERY LOUDLY...overall a great mini album.