Radiohead Debuts New Track: "Staircase"

If Radiohead's February full-length King of Limbs left you scratching your head, feeling like you just didn't "get it," here's another track to add to the whoosh, over-the-head pile. Or, you know, maybe it will offer some clarity. The slightly more melodic, bass-driven "Staircase," just released by the Oxfordshire fivesome, is...

By Christina Caldwell

June 22, 2011

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If Radiohead's February full-length King of Limbs left you scratching your head, feeling like you just didn't "get it," here's another track to add to the whoosh, over-the-head pile.

Or, you know, maybe it will offer some clarity.

The slightly more melodic, bass-driven "Staircase," just released by the Oxfordshire fivesome, is offered up as a YouTube video of a live recording or as a polished, studio version MP3 on Stereogum.

The track is an appetizer to the BBC sessions "From The Basement," in which the band will play the King of Limbs, available on vinyl, from start to finish, and then some. International fans (Hey! That's us!) can see the sessions on the band's web site.

"And no, you're not seeing double," drummer Phil Selway writes on the band's official web site. "The doppelganger drummers are myself and Clive Deamer. Clive has long been one of my favourite drummers and so I was really excited when he agreed to perform with us. Hope you like what we've all done."

That bass line is incredible, as usual. The drums are crisp and heavily percussive. Is it just us, or are Thom Yorke's vocals not doing anything to advance the track here? The song stands alone.

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