OK, so visiting L.A. isn't Thom Yorke's idea of a great time.

"I'd prefer being kissed by aunties," he groused.

Just because he can't stand the city, though, doesn't mean the Radiohead frontman is going to shortchange it. Blowing off a career-enhancing gig at the South by Southwest music conference in Texas, Radiohead instead played a semisecret gig at the 250-seat Troubadour on Thursday.

Seems as though there's no middle ground. Like Oasis, Radiohead is one of those bands you either get or you don't. Detractors listen to "Creep" and hear a whiner. Fans listen to "Creep," "Fake Plastic Trees" and "High and Dry" and hear the next U2.

Four songs into the band's set, it was clear that the best days are still in front of Radiohead. Album favorites such as "My Iron Lung" already had been trotted out, but it was a new, untested song, "Electioneering," that brought the first epiphany of the night. Imagine if the Clash had been invited to contribute a track to the White Album, and you've got the musical idea.

Half Johnny Rotten, half Jim Morrison, Yorke pronounced early on that the band wasn't there to play old favorites such as "Creep. " Newer and unreleased songs were featured for most of the 90-minute set.

Not to say the show was devoid of hits. Like a 4-year-old who can't hide his emotions, the terse Yorke grinned uncontrollably as the crowd went wild for "High and Dry. "

Anyone who thinks Radiohead is all Yorke needs only to listen to Jonny Greenwood's manic, ripping guitar work and know there's much more at work. The beautiful "Fake Plastic Trees" was a predictable set highlight, but Radiohead outdid itself on the dynamics of the song.

The band has found the space to work inside the song, with the glorious, chaotic live version being a night-and-day improvement over the already sterling studio take.

The band crashed into the middle break with all guitars blazing, then stopping it dead to Yorke's delicate, whispered vocals. The only other sound you heard was 250 jaws hitting thefloor.

The show ended with that rock-music rarity _ the genuine encore.

The set list was finished, the obligatory two-song encore was played. The lights came up, the music came on over the PA, but the crowd wouldn't shut up and go away. The band finally came back and gave in, playing, yes, "Creep" _ though as a near heavy-metal version. With no other rehearsed material ready, they kicked through "Electioneering" for a second time _ "just because we can" _ before calling it a night.