POPSCREEN: Radiohead

I was never quite sure what to think of this absurd and meaningless world—until I met the “Reckoner.” I’m not exactly sure who he is, but Thom Yorke of Radiohead begs to be taken away with him. And I don’t know about you, but I’m usually convinced by whatever Thom says.

But while “Reckoner” may pan out to be another Radiohead classic, the accompanying video leaves something to be desired.

The melancholic video begins in black and white with something that looks very much like the hair on my legs in my worst nightmare and ensures that I’ll never forget to shave them again. In fact, this is supposed to represent the evolution of nature into civilization and society. So this is how it all came to be!

But Clement Picon, the video creator, is not yet done explaining the “depth” of the universe.

In the end, everything depends upon the beginning, and who are we to question the “Reckoner?” The video dances around the idea of being a single united universe, ultimately returning to its original seed-like property and starting all over again.

Lucky for me (and you), the second time around this wacky science experiment is colorful, distracting us from the fact that there’s little meaning behind it.

Hues of orange and yellow make their first appearance and webbed trees interconnect. Man, this shit is deep.

Not to say that Picon’s creation wasn’t selected as the official music video for Radiohead’s “Reckoner” for good reason. The aesthetic quality of the animation is impressive, but where’s the subtlety, Clement? One of the Aniboom Animation winners for Radiohead’s “In Rainbows” competition, Picon’s work shows great technical skill, but lacks in anything beyond physical attraction. Kind of like Sarah Palin.

Politics aside, watching the video is like reading a good book. I felt like I had just figured out the meaning of life. Now, if only I could remember it.

—Olivia S. Pei