Reflections on Kid A

I was searching for a piece of Aphex Twin music on youtube yesterday, when I stumbled upon this 38min film about Radiohead's 4th LP. Reflections on Kid A (not sure if this is the original title of the film) features Thom Yorke discussing the origin of the record, the songs and how they were shaped, and the influence of Talking Head's Remain in Light LP and the avant-electronica of Autechre, Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada. Interspersed with the interview is footage of the band performing songs from the album. The interview stuff is interesting and unpretentious, and Yorke is on good form - at one instance pointedly refusing to answer questions about his relationship with the members of Radiohead, and the possibility of a solo record; plus the music is loose and expansive, showing that the band could easily integrate the electronics into live performance.

Kid A remains my favourite Radiohead LP and along with the Amnesiac album, it's their finest work. It came as a huge disappointment to me when the band withdrew from Kid A's spirit of experimentation and retreated back into their earlier commercial (and bland) sound with Hail to the Thief. Reflections on Kid A is currently on youtube and is well worth checking out...