Track Listing

1. 2 + 2 = 5 (Live At Earls Court)
2. Remyxomatosis (Cristian Vogel RMX)
3. I Will (Los Angeles Version)
4. Paperbag Writer
5. I Am A Wicked Child
6. I Am Citizen Insane
7. Skttrbrain (Four Tet Remix)
8. Gagging Order
9. Fog (Again) (Live)
10. Where Bluebirds Fly
11. 2 + 2 = 5 (Live At Belfort Festival)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9476 in Music
• Released on: 2007-04-30
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced

Amazon.co.uk Review
Rather than follow the predictable path of a hits collection to fulfil their Parlophone contract, Oxford's Radiohead instead release, Com Lag, a compilation of recent B-sides (plus an exclusive and explosive live take of "2+2=5") from the ground-breaking Hail to the Thief. The schizophrenic mix of clattering technology and traditional (yet inventive) guitar rock is all the more pervasive here than anywhere else in the band's catalogue, with wildly differing results. Although this is mostly desirable to completists and the curious, that isn't to say they're not good; even on a bad day, Radiohead manage to be far more interesting than their contemporaries--as the eerie bass and strings of "Paperbag Writer" or the acoustic "Gagging Order" prove.

Though these songs don't quite hit the heights of previous B-sides, such as "Polyethylene" and "Killer Cars", they almost get there; the live "2+2=5" is incendiary, while the Los Angeles version of "I Will" is a fuller much improved version of the Hail to the Thief track, but the highlight has to be "Fog (Again)", stripped down to a simple and beautiful piano and vocal, and proves to be one of Radiohead's most affecting recent moments. --Thom Allott

Customer Reviews

Hit and miss
This collection of Hail To The Thief-era B-Sides is the very definition of hit and miss. The acoustic Gagging Order is okay, the live version of 2+2+5 is pretty rockin'... but at the same time some of this is a complete waste of talent and electricity. Thank god In Rainbows was so good right?

Worth every penny
This is a real treat for Radiohead fans.
This B side compillation album is richly illustrated and has some inside cover notes.
The best tracks are 5- Am I a wicked child and 8- Gagging order ( one of those songs alone is worth the price of the album.
This is a rather eclectic mixture and it has electric and acustic songs.
I was grately surprised when I listened to it and I could not recommend it enough.
5 stars
More please

Perfection- in places
To label "Com Lag" a B-side anthology would be to do it an injustice. Many, lesser bands would give this a full release- and with some reason. The EP reaches new stretches of originality in places, showing off the band's intense ingenuity. "I Am a Wicked Child" would have fitted snuggly into 'OK Comupter', while the live recording of 2 + 2 = 5 is indescribably spectacular, displaying Radiohead's ability to lift recorded material to a new level of brilliance on a big stage.

However, the EP does have its faults. Christian Vogel's mix of 'Hail to the Theif''s "Myxamatosis"- depressingly named 'Remyxamatosis' in a supposedly ironic, post-modern style- is dreadful, truly dreadful. It only rises from its deep, deep monotony in the last few moments, by which point its too late. Similarly, "Where Bluebirds Fly", whilst being far more listenable, is nothing original, and seems to have FILLER stamped all over it. "Skttrbrain (Four Tet remix)" is at least inventive, adding a new dimension to HTTT's closer, but again it doesn't come close to some other tracks.

"Paperbag Writer", for example, could be used as a four-minute definition of Radiohead's genius. Thom's haunting 'It was nice while it lasted but now its gone', Jonny's twisting riff and a few electronice beats in the back- so simple; so beautiful. "Fog", as has been noted, shines, and for similiar reasons. Its heartbreaking, both in its content and in the way it contrasts with recent Radiohead in its simplicity. "Gagging Order" is another archetypal indie ballad, though does not reach the same levels as "Fog", and remind's one of a stripped-done "Go to Sleep" to such an extent that it lacks any real edge.

Perhaps I have been overly critical, but it is Radiohead themselves who have lifted the bar, they who demand that 'good' not be good enough. Get the CD and admire- just skip track 2.
Com Lag