M. Musick April 2009

An Analysis of Radiohead’s “Idioteque” from the Kid A album

“Idioteque” is a song that combines the dark energy of Radiohead with a steady dance beat to help send a message about the state of commercialism and the ignorance of society to the impending social “ice age.” This song appears on the second half or “B-side” of their fourth full length album, Kid A and was a major departure from the melodic guitar driven sound that made them famous on their previous album

OK Computer. The Radiohead that produced Kid A, and more specifically the song

“Idioteque”, had been almost torn apart by the success of OK Computer. From the depression, torment, and disgust they had with themselves, they were able to create this complex, beat-driven, electronic track that must be listened to a few times through to fully appreciate its sincerity, message, and beauty.

Radiohead became popular in the 90’s for their melodic, lyric- and guitar-driven songs. Between their breakout single “Creep” off Pablo Honey and their very popular

OK Computer album, they were poised to be the next ‘big’ rock band.1 However as they were forced to perform a two-year concert tour for the OK Computer album, they became sick of their songs. Because of the control placed on them by corporations, they began to detest everything that was happening to them. This caused the band to feel disenfranchised with everything that was going on in their music and lives. When it came time for them to work on a new album, they knew they had to approach it radically different or they would not survive as a band. This manifested itself in a composition process that no longer depended on their individual ‘chosen instruments’, the meaning

1 Reynolds, Simon. “Walking on Thin Ice.” The Wire (July 2001). http://www.followmearound.com/presscuttings.php?year=2001&cutting=131 (accessed April 16, 2009) Writing Sample 3 An Analysis of Radiohead’s “Idioteque” from Kid A M. Musick 2

of the lyrics, or the melodic material. Instead they focused on the textures, colors, and feelings that they could create, primarily relying on electronic instruments for their palate of sounds. The band members had to learn how to be “participants” in the recording of songs without ever actually playing a note.2 Radiohead spent two years in a mansion in the English countryside recording the albums Kid A and its counterpart Amnesiac.

These albums are heavily influenced by the Intelligent Dance Music (IDM) style including Boards of Canada and Aphex Twin and the band purchased the entire catalogue of Warp Records during this entire period for listening music.3 Also, guitarist

Johnny Greenwood was heavily influenced by the composers Oliver Messaien and

Krystof Penderecki. These influences led to the Penderecki style string arrangements on tracks like “How to Disappear Completely” and the use of the Ondes Martonet, an instrument with voice like qualities, on many of the albums’ tracks in place of

Greenwood’s guitar.4 These factors define this album in a post-rock style that has come in response to the fading, over-hyped corporate controlled rock world that exists.

The major influence for “Idioteque” however came from Guitarist Ed O’Brien. He picked up an early electronic music CD that contained pieces by Paul Lansky and

Arthur Krieger. He then created a 50-minute piece based on Lansky’s “Mild Und Leise.”

He asked Thom Yorke (Radiohead's lead singer) to listen and from that came the four chord backbone of “Idioteque.” Lansky’s work was not entirely original either; it was based off of the ‘Tristan’ chord from Richard Wagner’s opera Tristan and Isolde. “Mild und Leise” was composed in 1973 on Princeton University’s massive IBM360/91 mainframe computer using frequency modulation synthesis (better known as FM

2 Ibid 3 Ibid 4 Ibid Writing Sample 3 An Analysis of Radiohead’s “Idioteque” from Kid A M. Musick 3

synthesis) and a special filter. Basic FM synthesis can be achieved by modulating the frequency of one tone with the frequency of another tone (both tones are in the range of human hearing). This then creates more complex wave and side bands that manifest themselves to the listener as additional overtones. Lansky had to put all of the information on individual punch cards, feed them to the computer, which would then translate that data to digital tape. He then would carry it across campus to another machine, which would convert the digital information to analog sound.5 It was a massive undertaking for a song that could now easily be composed on anyone’s laptop.

However, the piece has a warm organic beauty in the sound that it is difficult to recreate, hence O’Brien’s attraction to it. This four chord ‘Lansky loop’ is placed to a steady, 4/4 dance beat and creates a five-measure loop. Although Lansky’s contribution has a warm vintage feel to it, the harmonic ‘Tristan’ language of the chords and the complex timbre create an atmosphere that is not comforting. At best it can be described as eerie.

After settling on Lansky’s progression the band combined it with a very steady driving beat that creates a cold mechanical atmosphere for the song to be composed upon. The beat centers around a constant white noise burst that sounds similar to an over compressed snare drum with a long decay and reverb on it which relentlessly occurs on two and four throughout the entire song. This is combined with a bass hit, which occurs in the first two bars of each loop. These bass hits achieve an interesting effect by being so overdriven that apart from the fundamental the rest of the sound is grossly distorted. This was a conscious choice to go for the effect of being at a club

5 Lansky, Paul. “My Radiohead Adventure.” Princeton School of Music. http://www.music.princeton.edu/paul/radiohead.ml.html (accessed April 16, 2009). Writing Sample 3 An Analysis of Radiohead’s “Idioteque” from Kid A M. Musick 4

where the “PA is so loud you know its doing damage.”6 Other elements present in this beat are short white noise bursts that play around the long back beat bursts, and a pitched element that happens on the ‘and of 3’ and ‘and of 4’ in the second bar, which supports the Lansky element and sounds similar to a DJ scratching a record. The final touch on this loop is so much compression that you can hear the white noise burst and bass hit both audibly being reduced in gain whenever they occur simultaneously.

This loop is heard three times after a short introduction. This introduction is the key to establishing the mood of the piece. In addition to establishing the mood a condensed two-measure loop is established that will trade off with Lansky’s loop throughout the song. This two-measure loop is the first two bars of Lansky’s loop without the harmonic progression. Since the bass hits occur in the first two bars of

Lansky’s loop, this two-measure loop allows for a steady bass hit line with no rest. A complex tone is placed in the first 4 bars over this introduction with a downward filter sweep which fades into what seems like a pink noise with a wide band limiting filter and a ring modulation filter placed on it. This helps establish the sense of space and airiness that Lansky’s loop will maintain. The most important feature of this introduction however is the lower gain. Except for the first bass hit, which is the same sound as the bass hits to come, everything is ‘clean’ sounding, lacking distortion or over- compression. As soon as the Lansky loop enters however, the gain is noticeably raised and the distortion sets in for the bass hit. Considering Radiohead has mentioned the bass hits are intended to remind the listener of an overdriven PA system, this choice to have the introduction softer makes it feel as though you are walking up to the club and that you enter inside right as the Lansky loop enters for the first time.

6 Reynolds, “Walking on Thin Ice.” 2001. Writing Sample 3 An Analysis of Radiohead’s “Idioteque” from Kid A M. Musick 5

After the initial seven bar introduction and the Lansky loop playing 3 times, the original 2 bar bass hit loop from the beginning returns (this time at full gain) and is accompanied by the sound of very quick rhythmic jingling of what immediately reminds the listener of change or money. This is panned hard right and perhaps foreshadows the later verses which comment upon Capitalism’s pursuit of money.

At exactly the one-minute mark the Lansky loop returns and Thom Yorke finally enters singing the first verse of the song. The vocals on this song are the only traditional contribution from that band. Everything in this song is electronically sequenced except the vocals. But even the vocals take on a slightly different role then is traditional. Radiohead made a conscious choice to do away with overly melodic vocal lines as it is held to the range of a perfect fourth.7 Also the vocal line is not treated as the special precious element of the song but instead Yorke takes the approach that the vocals serve more as an instrumental line, by adding effects or taking away the clear diction.8 This is particularly well established in “Idioteque” by running almost every statement together which takes away emphasis on any one word or phrase. It is very easy for the listener to just sit back and listen to the way Yorke’s voice plays against the texture of Lansky’s loop without ever “hearing” the words.

Through the first two verses and chorus, the Lansky loop remains as the driving force in the song. Slight variations occur when the chorus comes in including a spatter of notes at the beginning of each loop. With the start of the third verse however the loop switches back to the steady two-bar bass hit driven loop that is void of complex

7 Letts, Marianne Tatom. “’How to Disappear Completely’: Radiohead and the Resistant Concept Album.” PhD diss., University of Texas at Austin, 2005. www.illuin.org/Marianne/Marianne_Tatom_Letts_dissertation.pdf pg. 99. 8 Reynolds, “Walking on Thin Ice.” 2001. Writing Sample 3 An Analysis of Radiohead’s “Idioteque” from Kid A M. Musick 6

harmonic progressions. This allows for Yorke’s lyrics to more clearly be understood. At this point the left channel also gets its chance for a solo texture. This comes in the form of very fast pitched-pops and white noise bursts. Although this creates immediate spatial unbalance, it also serves as balance from the earlier part of the song where the right channel got a solo texture. The return of the chorus also marks the return of the

Lansky loop, which helps to highlight the third verse as important by surrounding it in with the thicker texture. After two go arounds of the chorus and exactly two minutes remaining the song breaks down and the second sample from Arthur Krieger is heard.

This is a metallic, whining texture that creates more intensity in the song. It is placed under the steady bass hit driven loop. Eventually the Lansky loop returns on top of

Krieger’s samples and is accompanied by a loop of Yorke singing from earlier in the song.

Radiohead is not known for creating loop driven dance songs like this one.

However, where Radiohead chose to place this song in the album fits perfectly. The title and lyrics also lend details as to the importance of this dance song and the message it is trying to convey. “Idioteque” is the words ‘idiot’ and ‘discotheque’ put together. Of course ‘discotheque’ means night or dance club. The ‘idiot’ is in reference to society and its willingness to dance away all cares. The lyrics will help define that it also refers to the willingness to hide and be ignorant to the corporate control of their lives. Thom Yorke has said that the voice serves more as an instrumental track then precious entity on this album. He also mentioned that he was sick of people interpreting his lyrics after the OK Computer album.9 However, he still chose to use words as

9 Reynolds, “Walking on Thin Ice.” 2001. Writing Sample 3 An Analysis of Radiohead’s “Idioteque” from Kid A M. Musick 7

opposed to meaningless sounds and the mix still carved out space for these words so that they could be heard and understood. They are even highlighted in the third verse by the dropping out of the thick textural lines. Regardless of whether he truly meant for the lyrics to be interpreted or not, it is impossible to put words in a song without them adding some meaning and defining the message of a song. It seems obvious that words must be looked at and considered no matter what Yorke has told people in interviews. (It seems as though this is the easiest way for press-shy Yorke to escape the interview without having to discuss the intent or thought process behind the lyrics.)

By labeling the song “Idioteque” it sends a message that this song is about society and its willingness to party, and ‘dance’ carelessly without paying attention to the meaning of art, or happenings in the world. The song starts by asking, “Who’s in the bunker?” and follows it up with the statement “Women and children first.” This bunker could refer to a place of safety that we need to protect and go to. But it seems more likely that it refers to the bunker society has already placed itself in. In here they can be ignorant about the happenings of the world and the inevitable future that will come. This seems more evident during the second chorus when he repeats the question and responds with the statement “I have seen too much, You haven’t seen enough.” This is a comment that those is the bunker are sheltered and do not know the realities of life.

The first verse ends with the lines “I’ll laugh until my head comes off, I’ll swallow till I burst.” Both of these are statements describing death through extreme physical deformation. The subject is commenting how society tends to enjoy what it has in excess, unaware of its consequences or the eventual self-destruction it will cause.10

10 Letts, 2005. Pg 101. Writing Sample 3 An Analysis of Radiohead’s “Idioteque” from Kid A M. Musick 8

After the opening introduction and first two verses the chorus is heard for the first time. It is very simple; just the statement “Here I’m allowed, Everything all of the time.”

This is a comment on the current state of society, that with enough money inside the

‘bunker’ society is allowed anything they want. Radiohead, after the OK Computer tour, was fed up with corporate control and heavily influenced with the idea of existing logo free. This song is a comment on their feelings towards capitalism and corporate control and where it is taking society.

The third verse informs the listener that this ignorance in society comes with the price of an impending “Ice age.” This verse is obviously more important then the first two verses because at this point in the song the texturally thick Lansky loop is replaced with the more sparse constant bass hit driven loop. This verse is a comment that reflects what Radiohead feels “the state of the world is in.”11 After informing the audience that the “Ice age [is] coming” the speaker makes the declaration “Let me hear both sides.” This is Radiohead asking society to wake up and listen, to make a case for themselves against the greed at the top and the impending doom. After this declaration the speaker repeats that the “Ice age coming” and then declares to “Throw ‘em on the fire.” This presumably is in reference to the controlling few. This verse is not only highlighted by the sudden lack of harmonic movement behind it but also depicts the front image of the album cover more than any other song on this album. The cover art is a world with sharp jagged peaks completely covered in ice and snow. Off in the distance there are burning fires and the backdrop to the scene is of a black and red

11 _”Colin and Ed on Japanese TV,” (transcription of an interview). http://home.att.ne.jp/air/tony/radiohead/colin_and_ed_on_japanese_tv.htm (accessed April 16, 2009) Writing Sample 3 An Analysis of Radiohead’s “Idioteque” from Kid A M. Musick 9

glowing sky. This imagery works together well to suggest a scene of a possible apocalyptic ice age.

The forth verse is a response to this very serious warning of a coming ice age.

The speaker comments “We’re not scaremongering,” driving home the point that they are serious about where things are heading. The second line of this verse is “This is really happening.” Again a warning about what society is allowing to happen due to its ignorance. This is also an important line because earlier in the album, on the song

“How to Disappear Completely,” the speaker asks the question “Is this really happening?”. In “How to Disappear Completely” the subject is unable to believe reality and the truths that he sees.12 “Idioteque” serves as the follow up to his earlier inability to accept reality and his newly found knowledge on the inevitable fate of what will come.

The second half of the fourth verse is “Mobiles quirking, Mobiles chirping. Take the money and run.” This is a comment on society constantly making deals while talking on their cell phones.

The forth verse is followed by two choruses with a second voice chanting in the background “first and the children.” This also points out that it will be the children who are left with the majority of the disaster. Especially since they are sheltered in the

“bunker” and will have no control over what society has let happen. After these choruses finish the instrumental breakdown occurs and the metallic drone loop of

Krieger is heard. This section really enforces the meaning of the lyrics in a couple ways. First, the beat is turned up as much as possible in this section reinforcing the urge to dance in ignorance, despite everything that is happening in the world. The

12 Letts, 2005. Pg 99. Writing Sample 3 An Analysis of Radiohead’s “Idioteque” from Kid A M. Musick 10

intensity of this loop also lends to the idea of the coming ‘end’ through its metallic shrillness and high grinding overtones. This intensity is driven home more during live performances because the metallic sounds are turned up very loud bringing them much more in the forefront then on the studio recording.13

Eventually the Lansky loop does return and on the studio album the line “and first and the children” is repeated until there is a clean break of everything, except for

Krieger’s drone.

“Idioteque” is important on this album as a whole because it is placed three tracks from the end and signals the climax of the albums energy and message. The last two songs slowly die out and the subject loses the passion that he has for spreading the message in “Idioteque.” He also seems to lose the energy for life that he has in

“Idioteque” because the last song opens with the line “Red wine and sleeping pills help me get back.” If listening to the album as a whole, which is encouraged because

Radiohead released no singles from this album, “Idioteque” clearly comes as the most intense moment before sliding back into the apathy of life. It also serves as the clearest moment to find the overarching themes in this album, which include the coming “ice age” caused from corporate control that society allows to happen through its ignorance to reality and its apathy towards positive change.

13 Radiohead. I Might Be Wrong: Live Recording. Capitol Records. CD. 2001. Writing Sample 3 An Analysis of Radiohead’s “Idioteque” from Kid A M. Musick 11

--Instrumental Introduction-- Verse 4 We're not scaremongering Verse 1 This is really happening Who's in bunker? Happening Who's in bunker? We're not scaremongering Women and children first This is really happening And the children first Happening And the children Mobiles quirking I'll laugh until my head comes off Mobiles chirping I'll swallow till I burst Take the money and run Until I burst Take the money and run Until I Take the money

Verse 2 Chorus Who's in bunker? Here I'm allowed (background: and first and Who's in bunker? the children x6) I have seen too much Everything all of the time You haven't seen enough Here I'm allowed You haven't seen it Everything all of the time I'll laugh until my head comes off Women and children first Here I'm allowed And children first Everything all of the time And children Here I'm allowed Everything all of the time Chorus Here I'm allowed --Instrumental Break-- Everything all of the time Here I'm allowed First and the children (repeated) Everything all of the time

Verse 3 Ice age coming Ice age coming Let me hear both sides Let me hear both sides Let me hear both Ice age coming Ice age coming Throw ’em on the fire Throw ‘em on the fire Throw ‘em on the

Writing Sample 3 An Analysis of Radiohead’s “Idioteque” from Kid A M. Musick 12

Bibliography

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Letts, Marianne Tatom. “’How to Disappear Completely’: Radiohead and the Resistant Concept Album.” PhD diss., University of Texas at Austin, 2005. www.illuin.org/Marianne/Marianne_Tatom_Letts_dissertation.pdf

Collins, Nick. “Review: Kid A, Amnesiac, Hail to the Thief by Radiohead.”Computer Music Journal, Vol. 28, No. 1 (Spring, 2004): 73-77.

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Reynolds, Simon. “Walking on Thin Ice.” The Wire (July 2001). http://www.followmearound.com/presscuttings.php?year=2001&cutting=131 (accessed April 16, 2009)