Airbag Boasts Rich Texture of Radiohead's Rarities

Perhaps the best EP/single released by Radiohead, Airbag/How Am I Driving is a richly textured journey through OK Computer-era rarities.

Sounds Familiar
The mini-album opens on the same note as OK Computer, as the listener is greeted with the distorted guitar and looped beat of "Airbag." In fact, the entire song is exactly the same. I wouldn't have minded a different version (or even a different song), because I have heard "Airbag" before.

Radiohead keeps the guitars out as the EP moves to "Pearly*," a song that has alternates between power chords, clanging feedback, and soaring vocals from Thom Yorke. These first songs may mislead the listener, as they are heavily guitar oriented. However, the instrument is about to be abandoned.

Lush Atmosphere...
The next tune is not a rock song, and it is the beginning of what I really enjoy about this EP -- the soothing atmospheres created by masterful sonic layering. With "Meeting In the Aisle," echoing notes are soon joined by a low-fi, easy-going drum loop. As the song progresses, synthesized strings lay down a smooth, ambient melody.

As the EP moves to "A Reminder," the ambient texture continues. Muffled Czech voices fade in and out, until Yorke emerges from the shadows with "If I get old, I will not give in/but if I do, remind me of this." The instruments keep the spacey feel, although building slightly toward the end as Yorke gets into the music.

Back with an Edge
The guitars are back on "Polyethylyene," beginning with Yorke singing softly and strumming. He pauses, there is a brief intro, and the overdriven guitars explode back on the scene. The song rocks around a single-string guitar riff for a bit, and then fades out with more cosmic-sounding synths.

A Bit of Foreshadowing
"Melatonin" opens with the melody of artificial strings. Thom begins to sing along, and the drums and bass add subtle texture. Looking back, the song is a taste of things to come -- it follows the scaled back approach of Kid A and Amnesiac.

Great Closer
I always enjoy reaching "Palo Alto" on this disc, because of the musical complexity and clever lyrics. The last song on the EP, it opens with spaced-out feedback and beeps, which give way to a quietly strumming guitar. In fact, the tune reminds me a bit of Spiritualized. The guitar builds to the inevitable power chords, which are complemented by continued guitar chaos in the background. Meanwhile, Yorke sings of life in the business world, where human relationships and sincerity are slightly compromised in favor of expediency.

All told, the EP is a fresh, original collection of "B-Sides" that may show more creativity and thought than the top album of any given week. Perhaps I'm exaggerating a bit, but I highly recommend this disc for anyone who is looking to add some artistic depth to their CD collection.