Radiodread is a 2006 tribute album by the Easy Star All-Stars that covers Radiohead's 1997 album OK Computer in reggae, ska and dub styles. Their previous release, Dub Side of the Moon (2003), is a reggae/dub take on Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon.
History
Easy Star Records CEO Eric Smith and executive producer of the album said:
- "Reggae has always tackled dark subject matter, but manages to do it in a way that still conveys hope at the bleakest moments. Radiohead's approach is similar."
Michael Goldwasser, who produced Dub Side of the Moon and produced and arranged Radiodread:
- "OK Computer has elements that are perfect [for reggae] -- strong melodies, intense dynamics and trippy soundscapes. On the other hand, it has complex time signatures, lots of chord changes and things that typically aren't found in reggae. However, the more we looked at it, the more we realized that this was an album we had to do. Radiohead has given their blessing to the tracks they've heard so far, and we are excited for them to hear the complete album."
In fact, the band did approve of the album, with Thom Yorke praising it and Jonny Greenwood describing it as "truly astounding".
The track listing is identical to OK Computer's, and no songs were changed by the Easy Star All-Stars, except for "Fitter Happier" (which has slightly altered lyrics to fit the style, with permission from Radiohead), and "Paranoid Android". The new lyrics are essentially the same, but phrased differently, including some Jamaican patois. For example, "God loves his children" becomes "Jah loves his children".
Track listing
The track listing is the same as Radiohead's OK Computer, with one or two bonus tracks, depending on the release:
- "Airbag" (featuring Horace Andy) â€" 5:00
- "Paranoid Android" (featuring Kirsty Rock) â€" 6:27
- "Subterranean Homesick Alien" (featuring Junior Jazz) â€" 4:41
- "Exit Music (For a Film)" (featuring Sugar Minott) â€" 4:23
- "Let Down" (featuring Toots & the Maytals) â€" 4:44
- "Karma Police" (featuring Citizen Cope) â€" 4:48
- "Fitter Happier" (featuring Menny More) â€" 2:20
- "Electioneering" (featuring Morgan Heritage) â€" 4:34
- "Climbing Up the Walls" (featuring Tamar-kali) â€" 4:56
- "No Surprises" (featuring The Meditations) â€" 4:02
- "Lucky" (featuring Frankie Paul) â€" 5:45
- "The Tourist" (featuring Israel Vibration) â€" 4:07
- "Exit Music (For a Dub)" â€" 4:39
- "An Airbag Saved My Dub" â€" 4:50
- "Dub Is What You Get" (Mad Professor/Joe Ariwa Mix) (Vinyl Only) - 4:38
- "Lucky Dub A" (Mad Professor/Joe Ariwa Mix) (Vinyl Only) - 4:53
- "High and Dry" (featuring Morgan Heritage) (track #15 on the Special Edition release) - 5:10
See also
- Exit Music: Songs with Radio Heads
References
External links
- Radiodread at MusicBrainz
- "Radiodread: Music of Human Origin", The Peer, 6 October 2006
