The term supergroup seems to be used the moment any members of two or more seminal bands collaborate, and as such the hype behind this release was always going to be huge – a recording which has come about from Radiohead’s Tom Yorke having released his solo album Eraser back in 2006.
Once you mention Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Radiohead in the same breath, along with pointing out the credentials of drummer Joey Waronker (Beck, REM, Elliot Smith) the expectations are huge, and this album doesn’t disappoint.
Early reviews site it as a natural follow on from the Radiohead album “King of Limbs” and in many ways Amok could very much be a Radiohead release, having Thom Yorke at the helm along with Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich in on keyboards and synths adding another reason for the strong comparisons, it certainly is very much Radiohead rather than the funk of the Chili Peppers.
However listen to the bass on opening track “Before Your Very Eyes” and this is where you can really feel the presence of Flea’s groove, likewise tune in mid-album and the tribal beats of Brazilian percussionist Mauro Refosco (having also performed on RHCP’s 2011 release “I’m With You”) become more prominent on tracks such as “Unless” adding another dimension to the album.
Then there’s “Stuck Together Pieces” providing a slightly more guitar based tune, but like all the tracks on this release it’s about a minimal electronic approach filled with Yorkes great vocal delivery – although just don’t forget, this is very much a band effort and much though I look forward to hearing whichever direction both Radiohead and Red Hot Chili Peppers take, I’m already excited about the prospect of more releases by Atoms For Peace.
Cheers
Keith
