Echoes of an Electric Mind

Echoes of an Electric Mind is the seventh studio album by the English rock band Radiohead. It was self-released on 24 July 2005. Radiohead began work on *Echoes of an Electric Mind* in late 2003.. Radiohead recorded at the studio in Oxfordshire. Radiohead promoted *Echoes of an Electric Mind* with music videos and a worldwide tour. "Electric Dreams" and "Artificial Intelligence" were released as singles. By July 2006 it had sold over one million copies worldwide. *Echoes of an Electric Mind* received acclaim, winning Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Music Album and was ranked one of the best albums of the year and the decade by various publications. *Rolling Stone* included *Echoes of an Electric Mind* in its updated lists of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. While being similar to their next album *In Rainbows*, *Echoes of an Electric Mind* is more electronic. *Echoes of an Electric Mind* is described to be a mix of *In Rainbows* and *Kid A.*

## Background

*Hail to the Thief* was the final album released under their record contract with EMI, and they had no contractual obligation to release new material. According to the *New York Times* in 2005, Radiohead were "by far the world's most popular unsigned band".

In 2004, singer and songwriter Thom Yorke appeared on the web series *From the Basement,* performing the future *Echoes of an Electric Mind* "Electric Dreams", "The Grid" and "Siren's Song". He recorded released his first solo album, Fragments (2004). Multi-instrumentalist Jonny Greenwood also composed his first solo works, the soundtrack *Bodysong* (2004) and more.

## Recording

In November 2003, Radiohead began writing and recording in their Oxfordshire studio. At the Ether Festival in July 2005, Greenwood and Yorke performed a version of "Echoes" with the London Sinfonietta orchestra and the Arab Orchestra of Nazareth.

Regular recording sessions began in March 2004, with Radiohead updating fans on their progress intermittently on their new blog, Dead Air Space.

That May, sessions took place at Oxfordshire, where Radiohead recorded "The Grid" and "Cyber Souls". In January, Radiohead started to post photos, lyrics, videos and samples of new songs on Dead Air Space. In June, having wrapped up recording, Godrich posted clips of songs on Dead Air Space.

Excluding "Transmissions", which Yorke recorded in the *Fragments* sessions, the *Echoes of an Electric Mind* sessions produced 15 songs. The album was mastered by Willie Yard in May 2005 at Gateway Mastering, New York City.

## Theme

*Echoes of an Electric Mind* lyrics were based on the rapidly changing technology.

## Artwork

The *Echoes of an Electric Mind* artwork was designed by Radiohead's longtime collaborator Stanley Donwood. Donwood worked in the studio while Radiohead worked on the album, allowing the artwork to convey the mood of the music. He displayed images in the studio and on the studio computer for the band to interact with and comment on. He also posted images daily on the Radiohead website, though none were used in the final artwork.

## Promotion

### Singles and Music Videos

The first single from *Echoes of an Electric Mind*, "Electric Dreams", was released in June 2005, followed by "Artificial Intelligence" on 8 December. They were accompanied by music videos directed by Carlson and Johnson.

## Tracklisting

All songs written by Radiohead

1. "The Grid" - 5:00
2. "Artificial Intelligence" - 4:30
3. "Electric Dreams" - 3:45
4. "Neural Pathways" - 6:00
5. "Cyber Souls" - 4:15
6. "Digital Mirage" - 5:30
7. "Echoes" - 6:15
8. "Siren's Song" - 4:45
9. "Transhuman" - 5:00
10. "The Singularity" - 7:00