FEB. 2008

Most songs are more neutral than positive as lead singer Thom Yorke ponders his disoriented existence. That said, "Reckoner" appears to describe the destructive ripple effect of infidelity on a relationship. A man bidding someone a bittersweet farewell via "Videotape" assures that person, "Today has been the most perfect day I've ever seen." Not bad, however ...

Some listeners may interpret the singer's romantic adieu as suicidal. On "House of Cards" Yorke begs a married woman to kiss her husband goodbye and join him for an illicit relationship ("I don't want to be your friend/I just want to be your lover"). A casual hookup almost materializes on the dreary "Jigsaw Falling Into Place," which contains a veiled reference to drunken sex.

Vague, somber and a bit surreal, this project shook the music biz when Radiohead offered it online for whatever fans would pay (an average of $6 from the 38% who ponied up). The fact that 62% of them paid nothing has artists and labels feeling betrayed by consumers quick to put money ahead of art and ethics. But wait, isn't that what the music industry has done to us for decades?