So new Radiohead album due out June 9th: Hail to the Thief. The unmastered/mixed tapes were stolen though and are everywhere now, and I think it's gonna be brilliant. Not OK Computer brilliant, but something more accessible than Kid A, and beyond Amnesiac. In other words, the logical progression of what a sixth album should be. First time I listened through I wasn't that blown away, but more and more I'm loving what I hear. Some of the songs especially sound like they will benefit a lot from a final cut. For a breakdown of the album, go here.

Quick synopsis: more guitars, more songs in the vein of Optimistic, I Might Be Wrong, Dollars & Cents. "2+2=5" and "There, There" (first single) have some slick electric riffs, definite head boppers. My favorite song is "Where I End and You Begin"...phat bass line and spaced-out atmospherics, really a sweet song. I also really like "I Will" as a slowed-down track; kind of interesting, the backing track for it was reversed and used as the backing track for "Like Spinning Plates." The vocals even in this early version are really amazing...main vocal by Thom with a harmonizing vocal by Thom right behind it. So good! "Punch-Up at a Wedding" is also a cool song...kind of a chill track with a funky bass line and some really great passive-aggressive lyrics (basically someone gets drunk, goes to a wedding, and fucks shit up...very Oklahoma).