Pyramid Song
Studio version w/ lyrics -
Glendale, 2012 -
A couple weeks ago I tried to record myself doing a cover of this song, piano and singing and the gorram free ass recording program (Reaper, because for some reason Audacity won't pick up my mic - digital recorder - usb setup) rendered the thing in a higher, in between keys register and upon listening I vowed to burn the piano and never breathe audibly again. A proper version will be forthcoming when Digital Performer 8 drops and finally crosses over to the light side so I don't have to go buy a piece of crap apple computer to run the thing.
Ahem. Pyramid Song levitates near the top of any fan's canon, and my opinion is no different. Characterized by a refusal to resolve to D Major and more importantly the elusive beat, you'd be absolutely correct to hear it in 4/4 but as you'll notice in the youtube comments of the studio version above 3+3+3+3+4 = 16 beats and it's geometric implication certainly is compelling enough to at least lead one to believe that someone in the band heard the song that way. Phil especially seems to emphasize the 3/4 aspects when he comes in, his presence also kind of demystifies the overall 4/4 that Thom was hidin. Ed's effects are some of the best he's ever done (not to mention to minimalist harmony on the final 'nothing to doubt'), Jonny's string section carries the song out with a majesty befitting only the kings. This song is top 5 easily.
In a lesser sense, I think, Pyramid Song is also characterized by it's oasis landmark spot on Amnesiac, right after the traffic jam Pack Like Sardines and before the chunky beatdown of Pulk/Pull and the ensuing sea of haunt that is the rest of Amnesiac. It's an odd moment of zen, not only due to the piano's graceful cadence and the massive jazz-ballad super song it fuels but because of Thom's lyrics. Usually I don't care especially for Radiohead lyrics but honestly this performance affects the spiritual like no other in their catalogue. There's nothing to explain about them, they're just a straightforward yet somewhat romanticized account of spiritual healing via river, a common practice in both western and eastern religions. And for me, spiritual healing via that sweet sacred geometry. Pyramids are intoxicatingly mysterious and monolithic, I imagine many feel the same way.
As for the live version, of all the performances I've seen Thom has never gripped me with his vocal quite like he did in Glendale. It happens at the very end, as a big operatic yell in place of the string section as Jonny strums his guitar along with the piano rhythm. That waver in his voice is pretty pro, I'm by no means a voice expert but I bet his vibrato looks good on a spectrograph. In all seriousness, this is a Realo moment for me but I think that last bit of the Glendalde performance is the best the mans voice has ever sounded in his life. (the youtube commenter everythingithink is me) #1 Thom vocal performance of all time.
10/10
Pyramid Song
A Wolf At The Door
Little By Little
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