Karma Police [CD-single] [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Australian Digi Pack Limited Reissue.

Tracks:

Everything In Its Right Place
Knives Out
Black Star
Karma Police
Let Down
Airbag
Subterranean Homesick Alien
Thinking About You
Exit Music (For A Film)
You
Bulletproof
Fake Plastic Trees
I Can't
True Love Waits
Motion Picture Soundtrack

Amazon.com

Rock bastardizations of classical music are as old as Kim Fowley's--and ELP's--Tchaikovsky tweaking "Nutrocker." But classical interpretations of rock music have generally been something of a high-wire act. While most pop fare has strong melodic foundations for the soloist to build from, Christopher O'Riley has challenged himself here with the catalog of Radiohead, one of modern rock's most acclaimed--and texturally complex--bands. O'Riley's insightful gifts for interpretation (which have previously enlightened everything from Stravinsky to P.D.Q. Bach) produce a hypnotic, emotionally compelling listening experience here; O'Riley is a huge Radiohead fan, and that love courses through everything from the dreamy, bittersweet title track through the brooding loveliness of "Let Down." Radiohead's stock in trade is dense, multi-layered music that leans heavily on electronic processing for its moody sonic atmospherics; O'Riley's evokes those complex textures with but a judicious use of the sustain peddles, a deft use of dissonance (as on "Knives Out"), and a rhythmically anxious left hand. Call them etudes for the post-modern age if you will, but O'Riley's performances here largely achieve what all great interpretations strive for: New insight and enlightenment. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Looking Forward, Looking Back.......2007-03-02

Ove the last decade or so, Radiohead has created some of the most complex and futuristic rock music out there, and I wondered if a solo pianist could really capture their essence on a single instrument. However, O'Riley does a marvelous job, and brilliantly conveys the melancholy, mysterious, and introspective qualities of Radiohead's music. His renditions of "Fake Plastic Trees" and "Let Down" are particularly powerful. What I really loved about this cd is while I could follow all of the songs he played, at times I felt like I was listening to an breathtaking piano sonata by Mozart or Beethoven, and even a Nocturne by Chopin. Overall, this is a faithful interpretation by an excellent musician who honors one of the greatest bands in recent times, while also paying hommage to his musical heritage. This cd is a must for even the casual Radiohead fan or anyone who enjoys the piano.

Music Lovers.......2007-02-17

i love almost all kinds of music. piano and radiohead really works for me, i liked the whole thing. if you can get into some piano, you can get into this cd. if you dig radiohead, get into it purely because someone took the time to put some awesome songs into yet another form for more audiences to get into. its beautiful. thats all there is to say.

a transcription worthy of Franz Liszt.......2006-12-08

This is a beautiful recording. Try playing it for music loving frends who would never listen to a band like Radiohead. They won't believe it when you tell them the source of this richly textured heartbreakingly melodic tour de force. I'm in my late 50's and love Mahler, Sibelius,and Beethoven. I also love Radiohead, Sufjan Stevens, John Fahey and Wilco. Good music can come along in any time and I'm glad that Christopher O'Riley loves Radiohead and transcribed it for solo piano; he's missed nothing in the process. If your not choked-up by the end of this CD, music must not be your thing.

Sleepytime music.......2006-03-27

Being the total Radiohead fanatic that I am, I decided to pick this up when it came out... perhaps a fresh take on their music would breath some life back into the songs I've been listening into the ground, I thought. So I took it up into the mountains with me and listened to it for a bit. My reaction to it now is similar to then: it's a dreamy if somewhat insubstantial collection of vaguely familiar tunes.

All of the playing on this disc is superb on the technical level... obviously O'riley is a top notch classical performer. The arrangements are a mixed bag, though. There are some amazing renditions on here - see the impressionistic 'Everything In Its Right Place' and the melancholy coffee house arrangement of 'Knives Out'. Some others are also quite listenable, including 'Subterranean Homesick Alien', 'Exit Music', 'Bulletproof', and 'Motion Picture Soundtrack'. However, the upbeat pop tunes have difficult translating to solo piano. the Pablo Honey tunes suffer the worst here, and feel slightly unnatural; perhaps like a classical pianist paying tribute to a favorite band, rather than the more personal adaptations that make the 'Knives Out' arrangement so effective.

Overall, a nice cd to put on in the background when you're reading or settling in to bed, but Radiohead fanatics beware - don't expect anything that lives up to the band's immense standards.

Nice sound.......2006-02-17

I didn't even know Radiohead songs...but now I've listened to the originals and can hear how O'Riley captures the songs on the piano. This is a great album.

Average customer rating:

outstanding single all around
Her Hitler hairdo, is making me feel ill
Karma Police arrest this man

Karma Police, CD 1
Radiohead
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Street Spirit (Fade Out) [UK #2]
Karma Police, Pt. 2
Knives Out, Pt. 2
Street Spirit (Fade Out) [UK #1]
Paranoid Android #1

ASIN: B000006UPM
Release Date: 2000-09-25

Tracks:

Karma Police
Meeting In The Aisle
Lull

Album Description

The second single from 1997's 'OK Computer'. Pt.1 is backed with two non-album tracks, 'Meeting In The Aisle' and 'Lull'. Paper sleeve.

Album Details

Hit Single from the 'ok Computer' Album Backed with the NON-LP Tracks 'meeting in the Aisle' and 'lull', Favorites of Radioheadphiles.

Customer Reviews:

outstanding single all around.......2002-10-09

Ok, well here's my deal i am a somewhat new Radiohead fan but i have heard almost all of what they have so u can take my word for it... They took an absolutley great song in Karma Police and added two of the best b-sides ever to be made onto this single. For those of you who havent heard the song Karma Police, you should be ashamed of yourselves, haha, no im only kidding, but it is a beautiful song begun by a nice piano/guitar intro. Once the voice and drums come in you will be amazed by the whole experience of the song... "phew for a minute there i lost myself" are the words sung by thom's powerful voice accompanied by uncanny background music.

Anyway, Meeting in the aisle is the next song on this cd. It is a "cool" sounding instrumental with a "cool" beat and a very interesting sound to it... Maybe not the greatest song in the world but there is no way you cant like it.

The next song, Lull, begins in a Bends/Pablo Honey-esque way with a solo guitar tune, but don't be worried, once the singing and drums come in the song changes to a more complicated sound more like a kid a or ok computer type. I like this song very much and would defintiely consider it one of their better songs.

This single is a must have if you are a radiohead fan OR if youre not. This cd is a great way to be introduced to radioheads talent and style past and present.

Her Hitler hairdo, is making me feel ill.......2001-06-21

Karma Police is a great single, and quite the spirit of Ok Computer. This single includes two great B-sides as well. One thing to clear up is that this isnt a different version than any other Kamra Police, whether single or album.

The first B-side on here is "Meeting in the Aisle" which is a very pretty electronica tinged instrumental, thats quite Kid A. The thing that I find the most interesting of these OK Computer singles is that they reflect whats to come for Radiohead, now that we know.

"Lull" is much like what we saw on The Bends, only fresher. I thought that the Bends was very similar to much other stuff by not nearly as good bands. They must've copied, but "Lull" is quite a good song.

Again, this is an excellent single to have and to hold, till death do you part. Excellent intro to Radiohead or excellent way to continue with them.

Karma Police arrest this man.......2000-10-13

This is what you get when you mess with us.Not that i love this song very much i suggest you go get the album.No need for the single to be bought first.But so sure i am that you ll feel the urge to get this one as soon as you hear the album.phew, for a minute there i lost myself.

Average customer rating:

A reasonable single, but not great
For a moment there I lost myself...
[good]-Remixes!
He buzzes like a fridge
Its only got 3 tracks but...

Karma Police, Pt. 2
Radiohead
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Karma Police, CD 1
Street Spirit (Fade Out) [UK #2]
Street Spirit (Fade Out) [UK #1]
Just [#1]
Fake Plastic Trees

ASIN: B000006UPN
Release Date: 2000-09-25

Tracks:

Karma Police
Climbing Up The Walls (Zero 7 Mix)
Climbing Up The Walls (Fila Brazillia Mix)

Album Description

The second single from 1997's 'OK Computer'. Pt.2 is backed with two non-album tracks, mixes of 'Climbing Up The Walls' (Zero 7 Mix & Fila Brazillia Mix). Paper sleeve.

Customer Reviews:

A reasonable single, but not great.......2003-04-19

This single was a bit of a disappointment. The track karma police is of course an excellent track beyond comparison. the zero 7 mix of climbing up the walls is not bad. i would give it four stars. the fila brazilia mix is listenable and enjoyable, but really not such a great remix at all. it does not change the order of the vocals at all, only the music, stripping it down completely and too drasically. the original is far better. if you are a collector, this single is worth getting. otherwise, stick with karma police cd1.

For a moment there I lost myself..........2002-06-13

Karma Police has got to be one the best Radiohead songs ever recorded and so having it on songle is great. Plus you also get 2 other remixes of Climbing Up the Walls which is also a superb song, with 2 great remixes. If you like this single then you may well like the work of Mike Ladd who is a musical genius. Go and check him out on Amazon today!

[good]-Remixes!.......2002-04-11

Buy this CD for the 2 remixes of "Climbing Up the Walls". They are spectacularly hypnotic. As great as the "OK Computer" version of the song is, these remixes are even better! I'm not generally into buying CD singles and remixes, but if you're a Radiohead fan you gotta get this!

He buzzes like a fridge.......2001-06-22

Karma Police was a great song, but I think the B-Side versions of "Climbing Up the Walls" are much better.

The Zero 7 Mix is superb. Quite jazzy and the bass and beat are really very neat. The keyboars sound lovely and the guitars sound very very cool. I really like this song.

The Fila Brazilla Mix is nice, has a real percussion feel to it. Thom's singing is much slower than in any other version. Very light, not heavy at all. Airy almost. Not the best, but still quite good.

Excellent for the Radiohead collector.

Its only got 3 tracks but..........2001-03-30

Its has 2 brilliant remixes on the album just as scary as the original 'climbing up the walls' especially with the zero 7 mix. if your a radiohead fan this is definatly one of the singles you should get.

Average customer rating:

Radiohead: Creep/Karma Police
Karaoke
Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Karaoke | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000UHFD0
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

Creep [Karaoke Version]
Karma Police [Karaoke Version]
Creep [Vocal Version]
Karma Police [Vocal Version]

Average customer rating:

For collectors only
This Is What YOU Should Get.
Great, but..
Karma Police
Wonderlicious!

Karma Police
Radiohead
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Pop | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000006TQM
Release Date: 1999-11-02

Tracks:

Karma Police
A Reminder
Melatonin

Album Details

Australian Digi Pack Limited Reissue.

Customer Reviews:

For collectors only.......2004-03-13

'Karma Police', track 6 of OK Computer, is an exceptionally well-crafted song. Combine that and two other great songs, including 'A Reminder' (one of the best B-side tunes available from Radiohead), and you have yourself a worthy collectible item.

Take notice that I have used the phrase, 'worthy collectible item' instead of 'worthy purchase'. I say this to suggest that it is only worth buying if you are a dedicated Radiohead fan, looking to build a collection. However, a more 'worthy purchase' would be the "No Surprises/Running Away From Demons EP", as it includes the same two B-sides, plus three additional ones and one other OK Computer single.

This Is What YOU Should Get........2002-02-13

Finally, I own that song that haunted me when I heard it on the radio! I own "The Bends", which I love, but never knew the title of the song "Karma Police" or that it was Radiohead. ................ When I worked as a radio jock, I would let my listeners know what they were hearing as often as possible. I'd hear this song, be blown away, and no jocks would announce title or band. I searched the lyric content "This Is What You Get", and "I Lost Myself" but obviously came up with nothing. I knew the title had to be something I wasn't hearing in the lyric, but what? Finally, my favorite rock station here in New York played it again. Only THIS time I wrote down the time and day it played, and called the following day. The music department was kind enough to help me solve the "Karma Police" mystery. Now that I own it, I can clearly hear Thom Yorke's beautiful voice sing "Karma Police" at the beginning of each verse. Before, I didn't catch it at all. Naturally, once you're aware, it's easy. ............ As a musician, I find Radiohead to be a truly innovative, talented and fascinating band. "Karma Police" is a unique, ethereal, haunting(!!!) compelling and dreamlike tune that I can listen to over and over and "lose myself" in its incredible beauty. I liken this song to spending time floating in a ominous sky. I think that's the intent, Karma being of the outer worldly realm. There are also the spaceship effects that fade in toward the close, and become the winding down cold ending. This creates a mood that is eerie, surreal, and ultimately magnificent. The instrumentation is wonderful too, with terrific piano work, and strong drums that move the tune along beautifully. There is also a great bass line that dominates during the fascinating tacet ending. It goes up and down the scales in a syncopated rhythm against the rest, along with the breathy background vocals that come to prominence at the close as well. I wish the ending were longer. This song builds up and up until you feel as if you are lifting off in a spaceship and going far away. All this and Thom Yorke's touchingly poignant vocals, it's BRILLIANT! A perfect musical production of a perfect song. It truly moves my soul, and no words can describe it's beauty. You must hear it for yourself. ..............This song has a strong classical influence that translated perfectly on the "OK Computer" tribute CD. However, no matter WHAT the arrangement or style in which it is played, the melody and chord pattern is truly a standout work of musical art. ..............I bought this single instead of "OK Computer" which I'll pick up eventually too, because I also like the other two cuts here as well. Best of all "Karma Police" can FINALLY take me away!!

Great, but.........2000-04-07

First of all, the songs on this single are great. But at the import price, you'd be better off getting the "Airbag/How Am I Driving" EP, which gives you Melatonin, A Reminder, *and* a few other excellent songs. You probably already have Ok Computer, so there's not much point in getting this, unless you really want the cover artwork.

Once again, these songs are some of the best Radiohead have written, but the disc itself isn't a very economical choice.

Karma Police.......2000-02-07

This single,is arguably radiohead at their most perceptive. What makes this single work is directness of the lyric and the simplicity of the sound. The rhythm is insistent, the vocals fragile and strained, which results in a chilling record.

One not to be forgotten while we are 'still on the payroll'.

Wonderlicious!.......1999-12-04

Radiohead is an absolutely amazing band - one of the best bands out there today. OK Computer is a ground-breaking album and this single is a must for radiohead fans