Radiohead's 'The King of Limbs': 'Disappointing'?

The critically acclaimed rock band has released their latest album online. Critics say it's either yet more evidence of "brilliance" — or a total bore

Though Radiohead's latest, "The King of Limbs," has disappointed some critics, Thom Yorke still let his freak flag fly in the music video for the album's single "Lotus Flower."
(Image credit: YouTube)

Oh Happy Day... at least for the scores of Radiohead fans out there. Not only is it Friday, but the beloved rock band has released The King of Limbs, its latest album, online a day earlier than expected. Also notable: While fans were encouraged to pay whatever they wished for the band's last effort, 2007's In Rainbows, this time, an MP3 costs a firm $9. Is it worth it? Even more than usual, it depends whom you ask. (Watch a video for the album's first single, "Lotus Flowers")

Yawn: There are few surprises in this "disappointing" release, says Tim Jonze in The Guardian. The band's early albums like The Bends, OK Computer, and Kid A "carved out a radical new direction," and the last album, In Rainbows, was probably their best. While Radiohead is an innovative band with an "unusual" business model, I get the "nagging feeling that The King of Limbs is more like business as usual."

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