Videotape
From the Basement, solo -
Hammerstein '06 -
From the Basement, band -
I briefly considered making this a one word review - overcooked. But my grudge against this song is far too petty and personal to be summed up that cleverly, and the song has too much history to pass by. Initially recorded by Nigel Godrich from the basement, Thom's first performance of this song to another human being (and all of us forever) was destined to be engraved in red blue and green, on videotape. Seriously, listen to this version. It's full of raw emotion and it comes across very personally as a solo piano piece - not to mention knowing that this is like his first time showing anyone this song called videotape caught on videotape...I almost get a little misty eyed myself. It is the chronicled genesis of In Rainbows's closer, and in a way...a token of bad musical juju...
Then the band goes on tour and the song comes with a syncopated, guitar aided version that gets the crowd moving and shines a light as one of the most positive sounding and enjoyable new Radiohead songs. This is the version I was treated to in their 06 SD visit so I automatically had my heart set on it, it screamed album closer a mile away, it's about death, or more specifically being judged upon death via the universes videotape of your sins and deed in Thom's case very likely an affair as it seems to be the entire concept and conflict of IR. No seriously, check it
15 step - You used to be alright? What happened?
Bodysnatchers - Detachment, Alienation
Nude - Masturbation guilt
Arpeggi - Seductress interloper
All I Need - Toxic codependency
Faust Arp - Rationale of infidelity pt. 1: it's what you feel not what you ought to
Reckoner - Rationale of infidelity pt. 2: you are not to blame for bittersweet distractors, you can't take it with you
House of Cards - Admission of sexual interest in every female (friend)
Jigsaw Falling Into Place - Date rape
Videotape - I'm going to hell for that aren't I. Good day though.
Yeah, total mind-blinder. Anyway, apparently Phil and Thom ensue arguing over where the first beat goes for over a year, Thom wants all the piano chords to be an eighth note ahead of the beat (an idea that "deeply disturbed" Jonny) and they proceed to run the song through every parameter possible until they decide that Chris Martin, who Thom has come to nickname "Mr. Magpie" has stolen all the good ones. Then one day Nigel and Jonny were toying around in the studio while Thom was off saving the ecosystem and they decided to castrate any semblance of happy in this song and cast a rolling tape noise and half-buildup at the end just to really blue your ball for the end of their seventh album. What they came up with, and what for some reason Thom approved (Ed wouldn't be bothered for his opinion on this song as he was busy drinking coffee and grimacing into his scarf) is this
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