On his second solo album, Radiohead drummer Philip Selway explores many different sounds on just ten tracks. With a total runtime of 37 minutes, the follow-up to Selway’s 2010 debut album, Familial, doesn’t waste a moment with repetitive themes.
As an acclaimed drummer in a world-famous experimental rock band, it is no surprise Selway places heavy emphasis on the rhythm section, using prominent beats to tie the album together like a heartbeat. The first track, “Coming Up For Air” immediately grabs the listener’s attention with its aggressive opening guitar line throbbing underneath Selway’s atmospheric, ethereal crooning.
“Miles Away,” on the other hand, is haunting in a different way; Selway whispers single word harmonies accompanied by only guitar undertones, making the steady snare drum the center of the melody.
While Selway sticks with the slow, hypnotic qualities that clearly influence his other music group, his voice is considerably lighter—almost sweeter—than Radiohead front man Thom Yorke’s acerbic drone. This serves him well on melodic tracks like “Drawn to the Light,” where he sings delicately over plunking chimes, even if it comes across a bit like sinister elevator music at times.
The best track on the record, “It Will End in Tears,” is beautiful in its simplicity. No complex guitar riffs, no elaborate drum breaks, just heartbreaking lyrics. After begging someone to stay and “spend a lifetime in a weatherhouse,” the track builds to exasperation. Selway finally gives up, chanting, “Don’t/ It will end in tears/ And I won’t be sorry now/ We just crossed a line.”
Weatherhouse is an intricate and unique record that takes many listens to fully appreciate. Melodies weave in and out of each other, creating a delicate balance that can be painfully slow and deliberate, but also haunting. Selway’s creation is definitely not a compilation of stadium rock songs to sing along to, but it is just interesting enough to warrant a second listen. Not afraid to experiment, Selway has at least created an album not easily compared to its peers, and that in itself is an accomplishment.
Rating: B
