Apologies for taking a while to get to this album, I was just waiting for my CD to come (This is also why I'm holding out on Kavinsky). Atoms For Peace is what some would call a "supergroup". The project brings together a number of diverse musicians: vocalist Thom Yorke, bassist Flea, producer Nigel Godrich, drummer/producer Joey Waronker, and percussionist Mauro Refosco. It's an odd combination of individuals, but do they work well together?
It's hard to tell. Picking out which producer contributed which parts to the album is difficult. This is by no means a bad thing, its just that if this was labeled as a Thom Yorke solo effort, I wouldn't expect any foul play. Yorke dominates this album, his voice accompanying every track, but it's not frequent enough to actually distract from the instrumentation. His vocals are treated like an instrument themselves, popping in and out to fine-tune the atmosphere.
And that's not to say the other producers don't chip in; their instrumentation perfectly accompanies the vocals. The funk stylings of the opening track, "Before Your Very Eyes...", are clearly a Flea addition, as is the RHCP-esque bass on "Stuck Together Pieces". Next song and first single "Default" is built around a jittery beat and fractured bassline, before an airy synth comes in and makes sense out of the madness, Yorke's vocals leading you all the way through. It's a breathtaking song, and the album never gives up its momentum. The album rests comfortably between rock and electronic instrumentation, while leaning more comfortably towards the latter. One the electronic side of the spectrum lays "Dropped", featuring a beat and rhythm that remind me of Thom's work with Modeselektor. "Unless" and "Reverse Running" are examples of glitchy, semi-ambient sonic landscapes with flourishes of alternative rock. The album's best moments are its quirkiest. The oddly guttural bassline at the core of "Judge Jury And Executioner" is one of those strange touches that give the album flavor.
I guess the album's main flaw is its very mechanical style. The vocals and live instrumentation are pretty much the only things giving this album a human quality. The beats are repetitive and robotic in nature, dragging out like cars on an assembly line. Regardless, the album has enough really good ideas to warrant a listen, and I would recommend it, especially if you're interested in Thom Yorke's work.
Favorite tracks: "Default", "Amok", "Stuck Together Pieces", "Judge Jury And Executioner"
Least favorite track: "Ingenue", if I had to pick one.
My score: 7.5 out of 10
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