The energetic vibe of the first half somehow makes the second half feel unbalanced. Most of the second half of the record seems...dragging. It somehow feels like a race-car that runs out of gas on the last lap, petering out and giving up.
I think there should've been better track sequencing with regard to fast vs slow songs.
As for the Radiohead comparisons, I don't think I've ever heard Thom and the guys play with that kind of energy (especially if we're referring to Amnesiac and Kid A specifically, if anything those albums remind me of Aphex Twin's quieter side or Autechre). If anything, more of the fast songs would go along the same output that The Rapture or Hot Chip have been churning, only more punky. Yes, there are electronic drumbeats this time around, but for those who've heard the b-sides to their singles, this isn't a new thing. Silent Alarm had more of Matt Tong's drumset going for the band and this new one marries what's been heard on Silent Alarm and the singles' b-sides. I still miss more of Matt's energy though.
Still makes me wonder how this music will translate in a live setting. I'll have to find out the next time they come to town.
