Seven weeks on, Ed O'Brien's diary returns to say he loves the record

Ed O'Brien's diary on radiohead.com is back after seven weeks of silence with what he calls a short one, and a verdict on the new album. He has written a good deal since his entry of 16 April, he says, but sent none of it for want of confidence.

The band leave on tour on Monday, and the first show is at the Théâtre Antique in Arles on 13 June. The interviews done so far, O'Brien finds, are of a different calibre from last time round and less of an effort. He suggests that Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's press secretary, could come and spin for Radiohead, fending off questions about why they always seem miserable, how they got their name and what they think of “Creep” now.

The album is at the stage that matters most, with track-listing, rehearsals, titles, arguments and, on his list, full-on fist fights, so he may not be at his most objective. Before he says more, he wants to talk to the others so that their story is straight. He insists he is not trying to drum up a marketing frenzy. there is however one cert in my mind....i fucking love this record now²