Thom Yorke and Flea's supergroup Atoms for Peace lives up to the hype

Music God Thom Yorke’s latest project – supergroup Atoms For Peace (XL Recordings) – release their long-awaited album Amok. And I for one are more excited than an excited thing.

You’ll have to excuse me, I’m the world’s biggest Radiohead fan (true fact). Thom could release an album of farting and I’d probably think it was the best thing since they put jam in doughnuts.

The nine track album comes with artwork that is reminiscent of Thom Yorke’s solo project Eraser and the content is just as beautifully experimental. However, Thom has invited some friends along to help him. Made up with Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) on bass, Joey Waronker (Beck) on drums and Brazilian percussionist Mauro Refesco with Radiohead's producer Nigel Godrich completing the line-up.

If you haven’t heard of this, where have you been? This album has been long awaited with the boys teasing us since they formed in 2009. Thom has said in the past that they bonded over a love of afrobeat and the album was the product of getting wasted while listening to Fela Kuti.

With singles Default and Judge Jury And Executioner doing the normal rounds online, it was enough to whet the appetite of Radiohead fans and musos alike. The album does not disappoint, opening with Before Your Very Eyes it echoes the genius of the lazy-eyed one and you could be forgiven for thinking you’d accidentally put on Eraser. It succeeds in setting the tone for the rest of the album.

Second track on the album Default, sounds like a track that would appear on King of Limbs, its carefully placed beeps and synths running through the track and Thom’s melancholic falsetto vocals soar through.

Everything about this album reeks of Radiohead. If you love them, you’ll love this – from the artwork to the song titles, from the mood to the promotion. 

I can’t say I could hear Flea’s influence; despite my hatred of RHCP he is undoubtedly one of the best bassist, however I don’t think this is something the average Chillis fan will be rushing out to buy. I also couldn’t really hear the afrobeat inspiration; perhaps it’s like when Blue say they’re influenced by Stevie Wonder. Regardless, this is a superb album perfectly made for getting wasted.

Ten out of ten

First published 28/02/2013