The Smile - Wall of Eyes

 

One thing that seems worthwhile to me is to have some idea about 'which way the wind blows' to quote a man who often seemed to have a pretty good idea which direction that was. At least vaguely.

Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood always strike me as characters who always try to do that. They maintain the most sensitive cultural anttenae and always have done in remarkable musical careers which are now stretching past the 30 year mark.

Their music always seems immediately germane and contemporary to me and that's a remarkable achievement. Whether in Radiohead, in their own solo projects or now with The Smile, they always seem to make the weight, train up for the fight and come dancing out from their corners at the sound of the bell ready for the fray.Not bad going at their ages. No resting on laurels here.

Wall of Eyes effortlessly maintains their astonishing and almost unrivalled career Knock Out record. It's such a good record from starter's pistol to finishing tape. I wouldn't put it past them to be medal contenders come the awards ceremonies in December. They remain contenders that's for sure..

The rhythms Wall of Eyes seems based on seem to be to be primarily Jazz generated ones to me but I'm not a musician so I won't venture further. Thom Yorke's vocals drift in and out of the mix like the ultimate harbinger of gloom and doom as ever. He's an Old Testament Prophet and no mistake and a particularly persistent example. The Rock & Roll Fiver forever bemoaning the oncoming destruction of the warren. He's never much fun exactly but remains an incredibly resonant and impressive artist.

Greenwood is every bit as remarkable and kudos to Tom Skinner the third player of The Smile who clearly supplies enough creative and personal input to convince Yorke and Greenwood that they don't feel the need to return to the Radiohead fold quite yet. I don't care. I imagine that will happen one day.It doesn't really matter to the rest of us.  This is as good as a Radiohead record for me.