The Eraser - Thom Yorke

Year Released: 2006

Label: XL

Year Bought: 2006

Thom Yorke's debut solo album came at a time when Radiohead was slightly in limbo. After the four-album run that stretched from The Bends to Amnesiac, 2003's Hail To The Thief saw the band not receive near-universal praise for the first time since their debut album ten years earlier.

Having released three albums in four years, the group went on a break, but Yorke did not stop writing, hence The Eraser.

For Radiohead obsessives like me this record was a lovely surprise when it came out, and it seemed to be released without a huge marketing campaign. It just sort of appeared.

The nine songs that make up The Eraser feel like the electronic album Radiohead had been threatening to make for years.

The album is full of muted drum machines and electronic loops, with barely an analogue instrument to be found. Even the piano chords on the title track - played by Johnny Greenwood - are processed.

Yet over the top of this very cold and artificial music are some beautiful and, at times, rage-filled melodies and lyrics from Yorke.

'Harrowdown Hill' is about the suicide of weapons inspector Dr David Kelly, who killed himself after being outed as a source for a BBC report on the fragility of the UK government's case for the 2003 Iraq War: "Don't walk the plank like I did, you will be dispensed with", sings Yorke.

Other songs take on climate change and UK flooding, and the vocals are delivered with barely any reverb, making you feel like Yorke is right beside you. The contrast of this warmth and closeness with the processed music is a great move.

My favourite song on the record is 'Atoms For Peace', which has a glorious melody over the top of muted pings and bongs. The way that track flows into 'And It Rained All Night' is just brilliant as well.

A great record that perfectly cleansed the palate ahead of what Radiohead did next.

8/10

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