Something Different: Thom Yorke - The Eraser (July 10, 2006)

I'm sure nobody saw this coming.

Thom Yorke is best known as the lead singer for the seminal rock band Radiohead. The Eraser is his first solo album, and has a more electronic influence than what probably would have been allowed on a Radiohead album circa 2006. There isn't really much more to say about Radiohead, other than you're either a fan or you aren't, and for being a visitor of a hip-hop-themed blog, either option would be acceptable.

So, what the fuck am I doing talking about The Eraser, huh? For starters, I love Radiohead, and I warned you on the Mark Ronson review that I would be branching out and writing about some albums outside of my chosen genre. However, there is a direct hip hop link to The Eraser, and it comes to us in the form of C.R.S.

C.R.S. is a rap supergroup made up of Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and Pharrell Williams; the name stands for Child Rebel Soldiers (and not, as I had hoped, for Consumer Recreation Services, which would have been an awesomely dorky reference for me, since my second-favorite David Fincher film is The Game, with Michael Douglas). Why does any of this matter, you ask? Well, shut up, and I'll tell you.

Before Kanye West sold almost one million copies of Graduation in one week, he released a teaser mixtape entitled Can't Tell me Nothing, based on the single of the same name. The mix CD was decent, and it had a couple of tracks that were unexpected and, therefore, more enjoyable than the rest. One featured Kanye rapping over the music for Peter Bjorn and John's "Young Folks" to awesome effect. The other was a puzzling track called "Us Placers" (still don't understand the title), which producer Lupe Fiasco (I know, right?) utilizes Thom Yorke's "The Eraser" beat for the three rappers to spit on; he even retained Yorke's vocals on the hook, giving the implication that he actually authorized the use of his work. Now, when the mixtape dropped, most people were aware enough to know who Thom Yorke was, but not everyone is going to run out and buy The Eraser just because Kanye rhymed over one of his beats, which, by the way, sounded really damn good.

But should you? Let's find out.

1. THE ERASER

Well, how about that? The very first song on the album! Sounds like an OK Computer leftover, except with some electronic beats layered over it. If you're wondering, the original song is just as good as Lupe, Kanye, and Pharrell's version. It's not better, but it's on the same level.

2. ANALYSE

A great track, one that belongs in a slightly dark British film. Oh wait, it was already in one: The Prestige, with Christian Bale. If you haven't seen that movie, go out and rent it immediately after you finish reading this post.

3. THE CLOCK

Sounds like a Kid A leftover, but to me, that's a great thing. Hell, you can almost dance to this fucking beat. Bouncier than you would expect, but Thom Yorke won't be the next Timbaland anytime soon.

4. BLACK SWAN

I first heard this track during the end credits of Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly. (That would be another film that you should watch after reading this blog; it's a very good movie, but in my opinion, it's not better than Waking Life, Slacker, or Linklater's pinnacle, Dazed and Confused). Also, Thom Yorke uses the word "fuck" multiple times! Annoy your parents!

5. SKIP DIVIDED

After the strong start provided by the first four tracks, I'm good for a nap right now. Luckily, "Skip Divided" is the shortest song on The Eraser.

6. ATOMS FOR PEACE

A lot of these songs would probably be at home as Radiohead B-sides, if they were stripped of their electronic elements first. However, the additions, for the most part, add to the listening experience. On "Atoms For Peace", though, not so much.

7. AND IT RAINED ALL NIGHT

It's not like you're going to bump this in your ride or anything, but this song doesn't sound bad.

8. HARROWDOWN HILL

This song sounds great. Lupe Fiasco may be able to do something with this beat, too.

9. CYMBAL RUSH

Sounds like a regular Radiohead song (if there is such a thing), but maybe that's because the group actually performs this song live as part of their set.

FINAL THOUGHTS: The Eraser is not much of a departure for Thom Yorke, but Radiohead fans should be willing to take the trip with him anyway. As mentioned above, you're not going to bump this in your whip; on the contrary, you may believe that this is the type of music that you listen to when you want to believe that you're smarter than someone else. For sheer entertainment value, it's pretty good. And it's only nine tracks long, which is perfect for my short attention span. Also, U-God is nowhere to be found, which is great for me.

BUY OR BURN? For the first four tracks alone, I would recommend you buy this outright, whether it be from iTunes or from, I don't know, a brick-and-mortar store, with an actual physical location you can walk inside of. If you like this sort of thing, it'll be well worth your time. If you're not a Radiohead fan to begin with, you probably won't be turned by The Eraser.

BEST TRACKS: "The Eraser"; "Analyse"; "The Clock"; "Black Swan"; "Harrowdown Hill"

BONUS TREAT: When "Us Placers" hit the Interweb, I was reminded of one of my favorite Radiohead songs that doesn't seem to get enough love. It features another beat that an resourceful young rapper may be able to utilize to great effect. Here's an unofficial video (I don't think there is a real one) for "I Might Be Wrong", off of Amnesiac.

-Max