Spitting Feathers

Released in late 2006, Spitting Feathers serves as a vital companion piece to Thom Yorke's debut solo album, The Eraser. Comprising B-sides and remixes from the 'Harrowdown Hill' and 'Analyse' singles, the EP highlights Yorke's deep dive into laptop-based production and glitch aesthetics. The centerpiece is the extended mix of 'Harrowdown Hill,' which leans into the track's political subject matter - the death of weapons inspector David Kelly - with a more expansive, dub-influenced groove. Sonically, the EP is characterized by Nigel Godrich's crisp, dry production, emphasizing the tactile nature of the electronic beats. It bridges the gap between Yorke's work in Radiohead and his later, more rhythmically complex projects like Atoms for Peace. While often overlooked as a mere collection of extras, it stands as a potent document of Yorke's mid-2000s preoccupation with surveillance, government accountability, and the expressive potential of digital error.