Kyle Hanley, a chef at the Detroit Golf Club, has designed a 10-course menu based on the 10 tracks of Radiohead’s 2000 classic “Kid A.”
“Most people put out CDs, and this is an actual album. One song flows into the next, and we kind of want to do the same thing with the courses,” he told the Huffington Post.
If you happen to find yourself in Detroit this Wednesday, you can take part in the one-night-only event, although Hanley said he is considering making this a monthly event, with a different album featured every time. I’d like to help: here are 11 album and food pairings that may or may not go over well.
Ponytail, “Ice Cream Spiritual!” (2008)
To start, a palate cleanser of vanilla sorbet, followed by 15 pounds of Pixy Stix. That’s it. “Ice Cream Spiritual!” is off-the-wall crazy, so frenetically paced that you nearly break a sweat just listening to it. Singer Willy Siegel’s juvenile shouting and energetic vocalizations, accented by breakneck indie rock instrumentals, can only be the result of an intense sugar rush.
Various Artists, “The DFA Remixes: Chapter One” and “Chapter Two” (2006)
This compilation by James Murphy and his mates at DFA Records is a McDouble, but with homemade buns and perhaps barbecue sauce. It’s a Papa John’s pizza with KFC chicken on top. Murphy and company have taken already-great things and made them even better in ways that aren’t immediately obvious while retaining the spirit of the original.
Animal Collective, “Merriweather Post Pavilion” (2009)
The same menu as “The DFA Remixes,” except drop a few acid tabs first and also have an ice cream cake, salmon, three bags of Fritos, a steak, a bag of apples and Go-Gurt. This album explores a lot of different indie pop and rock angles, all through a kaleidoscopic lens of psychedelia and purposeful aimlessness, if that makes sense.
R. Kelly, “Black Panties” (2013)
Turn the lights down low, light some candles and dig into a meal of chocolate-covered strawberries, edible panties and flavored condoms. R. Kelly returned with arguably his most explicitly sexual album of the decade, which featured the actually fantastic single “Genius,” and it was dripping in sweat and God knows what else.
Brian Eno, “The Pearl” (1984)
Like the majority of his albums, ambient king and production wizard Eno’s albums are popcorn: they’re not the center of attention when they’re around, but the room is a bit less comfortable when they’re not around and quiet, mundane moments are better when they’re playing.
Four Tet, “There Is Love In You” (2010)
Raw oysters and anchovies, with side of caviar and salt and vinegar chips. Acquired tastes that are hard to get into if you aren’t already, but those who love it swear by it.
Bob Marley & The Wailers, “Legend” (1984)
Marley’s greatest hits collection is an all-you-can-eat pancake buffet. Plain, with fruit or a chocolate drizzle, whatever. It seems like a great idea in the beginning, and for the first few goes, the going is good. By the end, though, you start to get sick of it. It fills you up and everything starts to taste the same, but that won’t stop you from coming back to it again.
The Everly Brothers, “Songs Our Daddy Taught Us” (1958)
This classic folk record is a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios. Only two elements are necessary: harmonized vocals and acoustic guitar — or cereal and milk. Simple, but it’s an extremely effective dish that has stood the test of time and is just as enjoyable today as it was upon its emergence.
Parquet Courts, “Light Up Gold” (2012)
“I’m gonna have that pizza, OK? I don’t care that it’s from yesterday.”
“I was debating Swedish Fish, roasted peanuts or licorice.”
One of those is an actual lyrics from single “Stoned and Starving.” Either way, this lazy-but-effective album is the couple slices that are left over from last night’s order.
The Cool Kids, “Bake Sale” (2008)
A burger with lettuce, cheese, tomato, onions, onion rings, coleslaw, french fries, ketchup, mustard and barbecue sauce? Nope, I’ll take just cheese and ketchup, please. Sometimes, in a world of overindulgence, complications and high ambitions, stripping down and going simple is the best bet.
Weezer, “The Red Album” (2008)
Pork and beans. That was an easy one.