aaamusic | On 24, Jul 2011

Four new songs by Radiohead drummer Philip Selway carry the hallmark of quality and continuity from last August album Familial. As a matter of fact, Running Blind is nothing more than a re-recording of the album’s leftovers.

 

Said that, there are leftovers, and leftovers. Running Blind is the minimal and intimate version of Radiohead in Pablo Honey’s era, as enjoyable as disputable. Selway’s class and style are crystal clear as usual, but the songs fail in sticking and fade as snow in spring.

 

Four ballads with strong autobiographical lyrics, where Philip almost whispers to his public in total confidentiality, like Electric Presidents going acoustic. This is ironic, if we consider that the least used instruments here are drums. Unfortunately, it’s a missed chance too, because there is a strong potential behind Running Blind, that, instead of exploding, remains unexpressed.

 

Author: Lorenzo Coretti