In my book, Airbag is a poor opening track. I'm not a fan of the style, as it feels like aimlessly wandering. However, this style is probably the only common theme on this very varied album, so it is probably an appropriate way to set the scene.
The next song is the modern equivalent of Bohemian Rhapsody... which can only mean Paranoid Android. Both songs are pretty much a bunch of great songs rolled into one, with a lot of variation in style throughout the song. Also, the lyrics are genius- very deep and obscure yet also super catchy.
The brilliance of Paranoid Android isn't just that each section is wonderfully enjoyable, its that somehow the diverse sections have been stitched together in a perfectly coherent fashion. While I enjoy every minute of the song, if I had to pick a favourite section, it would be the "rain down" section, and how it flows into the headbanging rock riff afterwards. Due to all the hype, it's easy to blase about this song, but it really is brilliant. It is utter nonsense, yet at the same time it is perfect:
That's it, sir
You're leaving.
The crackle of pigskin.
The dust and the screaming.
The yuppies networking.
The panic, the vomit.
The panic, the vomit.
God loves his children,
God loves his children,
Yeah.
Subterranean Homesick Alien features a nice gentle soundscape, which I enjoy. However, the chorus for me is a big letdown. It is a similar story for Lucky, the gentler moments with the intense prog-rock mood work a treat. In particular, I really like the cicada-esque sound in the background background. But the pained chorus doesn't really work for me.
The recording quality here is an interesting issue. Given the style, it doesn't really matter. Which is a good thing, as the quality is quite patchy- the reverb effects are often overdone, the bass is often boomy and the drums sometimes get lost in the mix. On the plus side, the top end is nicely crisp.
Exit Music (for a film) has a simple and wonderful haunting beauty.
Karma Police is the perfect musical form of a 1984-type story. It hits the nail on the head as a post-grunge pop song with bite. While Fitter Happier isn't actually a song, I still really dig the build-up to the twist at the end!
At the point when Electioneering comes in, things are all quite serious and heavy. So this mindless headbanging song is much appreciated here. The jangly garage rock style (with cowbell!) is great fun.
No Surprises sounds like a major influence for early Muse. I really like the instrumental side of the song, but the vocal delivery kinda grates with me somehow.
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