Over the years, rock-star side projects have not fared particularly well. More often than not they are a self-indulgent mess or an ill-advised ego-trip, having little worth to anyone other than devoted disciples. So what to make of the news that Philip Selway, the unassuming Radiohead drummer, is to release his first solo album nearly 20 years into the band's celebrated career?
For such a hugely successful group, the members of Radiohead are among the most publicity shy in modern music. They aren't, however, adverse to the odd stunt, as the no-singles-to-be-released-from-"Kid A" furor and the pay-what-you-want experiment for their last album, "In Rainbows," prove.
Selway is perhaps the band's most innocuous member, having little creative input into Radiohead's tunes, and being just as well known for his charity work as any kind of musical prowess.