meandthestereo

Artist: Radiohead
Album: Kid A (Collector’s Edition)
Label : Capitol
Release Date: August 25, 2009
Decision: 5/5 Amazing
Favorite Tunes: All of them.

1. Background:

It’s been a big year for reissues.  Along with the Beatles’ reissues last week, Radiohead has been staggering reissues of their entire discography all year.  These special edition reissues have been double-sized affairs with the remastered original album and extra discs with live performance, b-sides, and a DVD with video performances.

When it comes to film, I’m not a fan of collector’s edition DVDs with extra material that wasn’t included with the first release so that fans have to buy their favorite movies twice.  But when it comes to music, it actually makes sense.  Remastering technology helps give listeners a new appreciation of the music they thought they were familiar with.  And the extra material wasn’t really available when the albums were released since performances and music videos don’t often happen before an album is released.  Still, I was skeptical about the Kid A collector’s edition CDs.

Kid A is one of my favorite albums of all time but I had never thought that Kid A was an album that could translate well to a live performance.  I had seen live performances of some of the songs on Saturday Night Live and on Youtube but it was never the same as the experience that was listening to the album.  So I didn’t expect much out of the extras, and the original album used the technology it had available to it so well that remastering it wouldn’t really add much to it.

2. The Substance:

This was an exceptional release of one of the greatest albums of all time.  Rarely does one get the chance to re-experience something they love for the first time all over again, but listening to the live recordings included with this Radiohead release was like hearing Kid A for the first time.  Kid A was translated to a live performance in a way that made it seem completely new but still in keeping with the essence of the original album.

3. The Decision:

5/5! So, is this album worth the 30 dollars it costs on Amazon?  A resounding Yes.  One of the greatest albums of all times is packed with new material that completely changes your perception of the music you just listened to.  Such that if you are a fan of Kid A, the second disk should be required listening, especially if, like me, you haven’t had the chance to experience Radiohead live.