Christopher O'Riley Re-Tunes Radiohead From the Top host and pianist Christopher O'Riley finds the classical in the rock band Radiohead. Christopher O'Riley
Hold Me To This:
Christopher O'Riley Plays Radiohead
(World Village) by John Diliberto When he released True Love Waits: Christopher O'Riley Plays the Music of Radiohead in 2003, many were surprised at the inventiveness of his interpretations and the way he recast the progressive rock band's music while still retaining its essential character. Now he's returned with a second album that might be even better.

While piano renditions of Radiohead could be muzak, O'Riley moves in quite the opposite direction with knotty, challenging re-inventions full of overtone clusters and spiraling counterpoints. Yet, the essential melodicism, incisive drive and quirky structures of Radiohead still ring out as O'Riley finds the rock and let's the classical breathe.

Close your eyes and you might think you're at a classical recital ranging from Chopin to Nancarrow. Open your ears and you'll hear music with Radiohead's delirious exhilaration.