Thom Yorke and Mark Pritchard’s ‘Tall Tales’: A Surreal Sonic Journey
Get ready to plunge into the perplexing and captivating world crafted by Mark Pritchard and Thom Yorke with their collaborative album, 'Tall Tales'. This project sees two musical masterminds, each with a storied career of pushing boundaries, converge to create an album that deconstructs expectations and embraces the unconventional.
The album is described as a meeting of two prolific artists who have experimented with various genres. Yorke, known for his work with Radiohead, has always stretched the limits of rock music with everything from grunge to electronic music. Pritchard, on the other hand, has spanned drum & bass, transcendent drone, and techno. Their diverse backgrounds set the stage for a collaboration that is far from ordinary.
'Tall Tales' is a sonic exploration where the vibes are deliberately askew, challenging listeners to embrace the unusual. Opener "A Fake In A Faker's World" sets the tone, with decaying synths and a jittery rhythm. Yorke's vocals are distorted and echo throughout the track, creating a sense of unease. Despite individual moments of brilliance, critics note an overall ephemeral quality, suggesting it may be a minor work in both artists' discographies.
Pritchard's arsenal of vintage synths gives the album a unique, retro-futuristic character. Instruments like the Yamaha DX1 (used by Depeche Mode and New Order) and the CR-78 drum machine (popularized by Phil Collins and Blondie) create thick, analogue textures. While the music doesn't sound exactly like pop artists, these synths contribute to the music's eccentricity.
Lyrically, Yorke delves into fatalistic themes, singing about self-hatred and a desire for things to end in tracks like "Back in the Game" and "The White Cliffs." Whether this is simply Yorke embodying certain themes, or an expression of feelings brought on by COVID is open to interpretation. He uses different voices on the album, making it feel as if he’s aiming to disappear into the album's many characters.
Amidst the album's darker themes, "The Spirit" offers a moment of clarity and hope. With strings and trombones, Yorke sings, "I wish you well, pray for peace / A magic spell that sends you all to sleep." This song provides a pivot away from the cynicism prevalent in other parts of the album.
The accompanying visual for the track enhances the disorienting and surreal feeling of the music. Described as reflecting the attempt to orient oneself in a constantly changing environment, it adds another layer of depth to the listening experience by being non-objective and removed. The narrative collapses history, economics, and myth into a strange fable.
'Tall Tales' represents a bold step into uncharted territory. By embracing unconventional soundscapes, Thom Yorke and Mark Pritchard present an intriguing and thought-provoking collection which demands a total and engulfing listen.
'Tall Tales' Track Listing:
- A Fake In a Faker's World
- Ice Shelf
- Bugging Out Again
- Back in the Game
- The White Cliffs
- The Spirit
- Gangsters
- This Conversation Is Missing Your Voice
- Tall Tales
- Happy Days
- The Men Who Dance in Stag's Heads
- Wandering Genie
What are your thoughts on 'Tall Tales'? Dive into the comments below and share your opinions on this groundbreaking collaboration!
