Hmmm, not a big Radiohead fan me, so I can't really comment on RH comparsions but one word popped into my head on hearing 42 - Beatles.
The piano and the backing 'oooohs' at the beginning are very beatle-y, tho that's not neccessarily a bad thing.
I love the way it suddenly changes tempo. I think 42 starts a bit retro and very un-coldplay but then turns into very much a coldplay track but still sounds fresh and new. Not the best on the album but pretty good.