Thom Yorke – Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes

I am a bit late to the party, but I have finally given Thom Yorke’s latest a listen.  I admit I was a bit put off by his delivery model.  But I am finally over that.  I like physical media, but I don’t want to pay $50 for mail order vinyl either.  I like streaming, but Thom won’t let me.  I do admire that he, like Taylor Swift, has found a way to get paid handsomely for a recording.

I am not a big fan or very knowledgeable about this style of music.  I have listened to a little Aphex Twin (which I kind of like), but stuff like Skrillex makes my teeth hurt.  Yorke’s music is not that far from the more ambient side of Pink Floyd.  More sound effects than songs.  I am too ignorant to categorize it.

I like the album and I find it more accessible than The Eraser.  This is not OK Computer, but that ship left the port 15 years ago.  The innovation, is not in the underlying music (which is pretty standard ambient techno ear worms), it is Yorke’s voice – which has never sounded better.  This is minimalistic soundscapes with York’s ethereal voice hovering over the beats.  It is mellow and dreamy.  It is not amazing, but it is lovely.