Album Rating: 2.5
I appreciate the critique; it definitiely made me think.
I think, however, that the "doesn't bring anything unfamiliar or surprising to the table" is pretty obvious to anyone familiar with the IDM, garage, ambient, vaporwave, etc. scenes right now. Also, I assert that the record is relatively simple in the different ways - first, in the very sentence you cited (beats, melodies, synths), secondly, in my description of the record as a "loop conglomeration", and thirdly, my comparison of the album to a DJ set with vocal melodies on top of it. I guess you could argue with those assertions, but I think they're pretty accurate.
The only link i draw between amok, in rainbows, and TMB is a DIFFERENCE in production style - which I say benefits the record. This review tackles TMB very much a separate entity and never actually compares it to other Yorke records, only citing that the absence of one of Thom's strengths - innovative songwriting. It's interesting that you question my ability as a reviewer on a claim that's inaccurate at best.
"An understated and earnest electronic album, which is downright unique nowadays." R Plus Seven? The North Borders? Immunity? Luxury Problems? WIXIW? Home? In my experience, most electronic records are pretty earnest, and a whole lot of them are understated. But I guess that's a matter of opinion.
I did enjoy this record because I'm a huge Thom Yorke and Radiohead fan, but I don't think it merits much critical acclaim in context just because it doesn't bring much to the table.
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