I find it completely disheartening that most people were introduced to artists such as Radiohead, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Oasis through games like “Guitar Hero.”Now that I’ve got that short rant out of my system, Radiohead’s newest album “The King of Limbs” has been reviewed by nearly everyone, but nearly all of them agree that it’s a “grower.” I will partially agree with that.

Many times I ask the opinion of Kevin Ogle before I review my music, mainly because he knows his stuff. He pretty much summed my feelings up in a tweet, “Love it. It’s 37 mins of great experimenting. However the Bends has their best songs and OK Computer is their best album.” It appears that Radiohead got a hold of one of Jimi Hendrix’s headbands. It reminds more of “Kid A” than any other album of theirs. I’m not a huge Radiohead fan, but I’ve always been drawn in by the band’s energy that they seem to harness in the studio.

They are on my “Bands to See Live Before I Die” list, for sure. I’ve seen videos of them live and they do an incredible job of keeping the crowd into their music. It’s always impressed me how they seem to capture that same sound in the studio. For me, this album doesn’t really do that. I have to appreciate what they’re doing as artists, and I understand that they’re trying to switch things up a bit, but I had high expectations.

The album is most certainly a “grower.” Upon the third listen to the album, I was starting to feel it. Most of the songs seem like they’re on the brink of going into a high-energy part; however, they fill up space rather than straight up attacking it.

If you are impatient or looking for something more commercial, this isn’t the Radiohead album for you. This is also the band’s shortest album, with only eight tracks. I also am stepping out on a limb by saying this is their weakest offering yet. It just really doesn’t deliver; however, the following tracks were some of my favorites:

“Lotus Flower”

It may be a complete cop out to say that this is my favorite track on the album. I fell in love with this song from the first time I saw the music video. Thom Yorke’s dancing is classic. I also loved his vocals, and this song has some of the best vocals on the album, in my opinion. This would also probably be the track with the widest appeal.

“Codex”

This is that Radiohead that you totally chill to. It’s so hauntingly beautiful. My only problem with songs like these on the album is how in the heck they’ll fill up stadiums with this sound? It’s one of those songs you listen to when you’re alone, or depressed or just want to relax.

“Separator” 

It’s their closing song on the album, and it doesn’t even really start until about 3:30. The ambient guitars and vocal melodies at that point will give you goosebumps.

I wasn’t really into the music. I thought the second half of the record picked up some of the slack, but not enough for me to keep this in my daily rotation. Who knows, you might really enjoy it.

Radiohead self-released “The King of Limbs” Feb. 18, with a physical CD and 12″ vinyl due out March 28.