Fake Plastic Trees Pt.2 [Single, Maxi, Import]

So you get THREE B-sides here; the only drawback is that they're only acoustic versions of previously released, Bends-era songs. But the good thing is that they're all GREAT versions! If I'm not mistaken, only Jonny and Thom appear on these songs. The acoustic version of "Fake Plastic Trees" helps you to appreciate what a daunting task it must be to be a member of Radiohead--a job in which you are forced to try to make Thom's songs sound BETTER than they do when they're played only by him on an acoustic guitar. The emotive dynamics on this version of the title cut are even more pronounced than they are in the full band version, and Thom's voice shines. "Bulletproof (I Wish I Was...)" is also presented in its stripped-down form, but still bears the ambient guitar ramblings that made the studio version so unique. The song is, on the whole, ridiculously underrated, and is one of Thom's favorite compositions. His angelic falsetto during the verse is raw beauty. But perhaps the best of these three acoustic numbers is "Street Spirit". Retaining the quickened pace that was often slowed down in later live performances, it does for the single what the studio track did for the album The Bends: it makes a great record a timeless gem. Once again, Thom's voice is the highlight of the track, floating seamlessly from anguish into requiem. His humming during the bridge sections is particularly enchanting. When he finally sings the song's last haunting line, "Immerse your soul in love," and strikes the final chord on his acoustic, you can only be left with a sense of quiet satisfaction--as though someone has whispered a calming secret to you and left you with a smile. And that's what's great about Thom Yorke's music. And it's what's great about this single, which does a better job than anything else in Radiohead's catalog at showing a good band growing and burgeoning into a legend, their genius frontman leading the way.

This is certainly an ESSENTIAL addition not only to any fan's single collection, but to ANY music-lover's library. The title track's masterful fusion of quiet lullabye and bombastic catharsis, coupled with the brtual honesty and endearing beauty of the three acoustic numbers, makes this record a purchase whose novelty will never wear thin. You won't be disappointed with this one, ladies and gentlemen. Buy now.