Phil Selway calls The King of Limbs a grower

Radiohead's drummer Phil Selway says the band knew The King of Limbs would take time to sink in. He spoke to Drowned In Sound for a few spare minutes at Liverpool Sound City, where he played a solo set on 21 May.

we all knew that it wasn't going to be an immediate record but a lot of great records have been 38 minutes long. It's that old chestnut of a grower.

Phil Selway¹

Every Radiohead record has been a reaction to the one before, he says, and this one kept up the habit.

Making Familial, his solo album, alone was a steep learning curve, with every decision his to take; the music came quickly and the words slowly. He has an EP out soon and a set at Truck Festival, though whether he carries on as a solo artist, he says, remains to be seen.

When I started writing songs, it all sounded very un-Radiohead to me and that's why I needed to have this outside of Radiohead.

Phil Selway¹

The band, he adds, has always been the right place for him. As for Thom Yorke's dancing in the “Lotus Flower” video, Selway thought it was good.

If it were me, I'd do the birdy dance and I'd imagine I would enjoy it.

Phil Selway¹