The Delite Rancher | Phoenix, Arizona | 08/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Easy Star All-Stars have taken the same magic that rendered "Dub Side of the Moon" a phenomenon and applied it to another of the twentieth century's greatest recordings: "OK Computer." Most tributes phonographically copy the original band or fall embarrassingly short in the attempt. Both types are dull. A good tribute pays homage to the parent while simultaneously making a fresh interpretation. "Radiodread" accomplishes this goal in a meaningful way. The primary genre here is roots reggae with tones of dub, ska, rock and soul. Naturally some songs work better than others, but as a whole the recording achieves a highly psychedelic interpretation. While packed with quality guests, it is the contribution of Toots & the Maytals that lends legitimacy to "Radiodread" as a reggae project. If the listener appreciates both Radiohead and reggae music, this is sure to resonate. In what is now a stack of Radiohead tributes, "Radiodread" finds itself alongside Christopher O'Riley's work -somewhere near the top."
Not all the songs work, but...
R. Forsman | NY | 08/27/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Radiodread is good.. great even! But there's something about the album that lacks that cohesive feel that the band achieved with Dub Side of the Moon. Ok Computer is one of my all time favorite albums, and I couldn't have been more excited when I heard they were covering it. Still.. something feels off. Their choice of guests don't always work, and some of the songs feel more like straight up Radiohead covers than they do reggae songs. Airbag, Let Down, Climbing Up the Walls, and Lucky definetely shine on this album. Unfortunately songs like Karma Police and Paranoid Android fall short. Don't let this dismay you though, the album is great!"
Almost nails it
M. Myers | Kansas City, KS, USA | 09/07/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great album. The only flaws it has, if you could call them that, is that it stays too close to the original "OK Computer". There are a lot of points in which they could have deviated a bit more into Jamaican territories than to go with the soul/R&B/rock feel that this album is laced with. But the production is fantastic and the performances are very tight, as expected out of this crew."
The next in hopefully a long line of amazing reggae revision
Mirrorsaw | Long Island, NY USA | 09/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Radiodread is a fantastic album that follows in the footsteps of Easy Star's dubside of the moon - Taken at face value, it would be considered a cover album, but it is more like a complete revision of the original, a great work in it's own right. The complexity of turning Radiohead into reggae music seems daunting, but Easy Star pulled it off magnificently. I was never a huge radiohead fan but I am a big easy star fan, and they took an album I thought was OK (OK computer, sorry for the pun) and made it incredible. The roster of artists is fantastic too, especially with people like Toots and the Maytals - These are huge, legendary names of Reggae and their talents are displayed quite well on this disc. I noticed in another review someone said Karma Police and Paranoid Android aren't up to par - I can't disagree more, these are the obvious highlights of the album. I've played this to a ton of people at parties already and it turns heads and sways hips. Sluggy ranks, dollarman, and rankin joe from Dubside are truly missed, but the new additions such as Sugar Minott and Toots more than make up for their absence. An expertly produced, brilliant revision that cannot simply be passed off as a 'cover' album. One can only think what Easy Star will turn to next. If you liked Radiodread, check out Dub Side of the Moon, an equally brilliant album. 100% recommended for any Radiohead or Reggae fan."
Fitter, Dubbier
Matthew Rose | San Antonio, TX USA | 10/31/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"What an enjoyable trip! Especially "Let Down", Toots makes it a work of praise to the heavens; "Fitter, Happier", the true genius moment where the Rastaman's paranoia comes out; and "Exit Music", Sugar Minott has a good thing going on that one. Only bummer: "Subterranean Homesick Alien", probably my fave track on the original - George Michael seems to be singing it here, not that I mind George but it's too white-sounding to be included here. Am I in trouble?"