New Thom Yorke, 3 New Songs

Get a load of this. I take one weekend off from blogging (after our show's semester debut on Friday night) and all of a sudden, I get more news than I know what to do with. How convenient. But the great thing about all of this is that everything I'm reporting on is really positive. We'll start off with one of our favorite frontmen in modern rock: Thom Yorke of Radiohead.

Remember his solo record, The Eraser back in '06? I do, because it was a touching record and it was uber cool to see him do his own thing away from the boys in the band. Well low and behold, he's doing solo things again. And just when you thought he was going to chill out or lay low after working on the Wall Of Ice EP, he's releasing new songs. First off, we have to discuss his Mark Mulcahy cover track for the upcoming tribute in his honor. The song, "All For The Best", is one that many Miracle Legion fans hold near and dear. But fret not those fearing any blasphemy to the legacy of MM, because Yorke and his little brother, Andy, do the track justice. Here's the video:

Thom Yorke (Feat. Andy Yorke) - "All For The Best (Miracle Legion Cover)"

As much as I enjoy this, I still wish more Polaris tracks made the cut onto the CD. Maybe on the B-sides? Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy comes out September 29th.

Up next, the physical release of his latest personal work. And for the record, let's just throw it out there and say we, as the music fan community, should no longer be shocked by out-of-the-blue Thom Yorke releases (despite having a month's notice on the latest two songs). Because they are just going to happen whenever. Is it a bad thing? Absolutely not.

"Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses" is side A, "The Hollow Earth" is side B. Together, they make for one fascinating Thom Yorke release. "Feeling" reacquaints us with a "Reckoner"-type style. As it should, because according to Stereogum, "'Reckoner' was said to be born out of the coda to the song, a six-and-a-half minute sketch that pairs a funky, repetitive bassline with Thom's heavily echoed, reliably cryptic poetry." The striking percussion stands out immediately, followed by Yorke's spacey vocals, and then coated with a repetitious, jungle excursion-themed bass (or at least that's how I can describe the image that comes to mind when I close my eyes). And after 7 minutes, you have felt definitely been through something; maybe not a painful death via wild horses, but definitely something.

Thom Yorke - "Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses"

"The Hollow Earth". I'm high on the vocals. Also the ticks and taps on this make me move a little more than it's A-side. And the return of the "House Of Cards" atmospheric moans are welcomed back with open arms. The song, as a whole, feels very schizophrenic and unstable, but who says giving into the urges is so bad? It's the B-side, so take it as you will.

Thom Yorke - "The Hollow Earth"

Both tunes are available via TBD from w.a.s.t.e.

What is going on inside the mind of Thom Yorke? No one knows. But the music that comes of it sure is special.