Yeah, the new RHCP album is ass.
I'm always excited by the prospect of a new Radiohead album, and while I thought HTTT was great, I'm not sure I'm looking forward to the new one so much. I keep hearing "quieter, more electronic, more syncopated" and wonder when they'll finally put out their raver album and just get it out of their system.
They toyed with the dance dance revolution beats on Kid A and Amnesiac (Kid A 2: Electric Boogaloo) then kinda dropped that on Hail to the Thief.
Of course, OK Computer was their best album. You push "avant garde" too far and you just get "annoying indulgence." They need a better producer, someone who is going to slap Thom and say "Listen you prat, no one wants to hear a 20 minute song with you tapping one key on the keyboard." I think Goodrich was good for them - but now they're self-producing - which does not instill me with a good deal of confidence.
But whatever. They haven't made a bad album yet, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt before passing judgment.