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

Thom Yorke

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 4, 2006)
• Original Release Date: November 27, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single, Enhanced, EP, Import
• Label: Wea Japan
• ASIN: B000JJS2X4
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,923 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Japanese release features 6 tracks plus 2 enhanced videos for 'Harrowdown Hill' & 'Analyse'. The audio tracks are 'Harrowdown Hill', 'The Drunk Machine', 'A Rat's Nest', 'Jetstream', 'Harrowdownhill' (extended mix) & 'Iluvya'. XL Recordings. 2006.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The drunk machine, December 1, 2006

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy addition to his solo work..., December 25, 2006

By	Christopher E. Broski (alamo, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good music; poor video quality, February 7, 2007

By	Casey G. Hancock "Listener" (Hartsville, SC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.