True Love Waits: O'Riley Plays Radiohead

AMG Review of True Love Waits: O'Riley Plays Radiohead

Rob Theakston
All Music Guide

It's hard to approach a Radiohead tribute with anything but reservation, as the majority of the band's later work is difficult to replicate, especially if your arsenal consists of a single piano. Things aren't helped much thanks to Brad Mehldau's jazz interpretations leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of even the most die-hard Radiohead fan. That said, True Love Waits isn't a bad compilation if you were a fan of Mehldau's reworkings. However, if you were on the other side of the fence, it might not be the best album you'll listen to all year. Much to his credit, O'Riley chooses a wide range of songs from Radiohead's back catalog, forgoing the obvious temptation of selecting the recognizable hits. Some translate quite well into a solo piano setting, especially darker and low-key songs like "Bulletproof" and the subtle "Motion Picture Soundtrack." Unfortunately, this isn't always the case; several tunes turn into frenzied piano workouts that make O'Riley sound like he comes from the Richard Clayderman school of musical interpretation. Not without its redeeming qualities, True Love Waits comes off more focused on the skills of the piano player than the songs being paid tribute.