Thom Yorke -- The Eraser

5/10

Solo records are a great way to determine just what exactly the "going solo" member of any given band actually contributes to that band. It's clear from Thom Yorke's 2006 solo debut, The Eraser, that his major contribution to Radiohead is textured and unfettered emotion. The album begins with the soaring title track, a huge stratospheric chorus melody riding a wave of chopped up beats and glitches. Unfortunately, the rest of the album shows Yorke may need the more propulsive, less amorphous sound and focus of his bandmates in order to create something truly satisfying. After the stunning opening track, The Eraser turns into glitchy, chopped-up beat wallpaper, never again coming close to the highs of its opener. Every time I give this album a shot, I get bored, but I do believe it energized Yorke, who went on with Radiohead the next year to release the refreshing stunner, In Rainbows.


2006 XL Recordings
1. The Eraser 4:55
2. Analyse 4:02
3. The Clock 4:13
4. Black Swan 4:49
5. Skip Divided 3:35
6. Atoms for Peace 5:13
7. And It Rained All Night 4:15
8. Harrowdown Hill 4:38
9. Cymbal Rush 5:15