In Rainbows - Radiohead

...known for the controversial way in which it came into the public eye. Late last year, newspapers and music mags alike were littered with articles about Thom and co's 'Big Idea'- to release their 7th album, in lieu of a record label, to the public via their popular website- and all potentially for free. Praise the heavens! The mighty music industry goliaths have been slain!

Although I can happily praise Radiohead for their boldness ...
...Like all the best things in life, this shouldn't come without charge. Here are just some of the reasons why paying for it is better than getting it for free...

So here it is. An absolute cracker. Ever since OK Computer in '97 (in my opinion the most perfect collection of tracks ever printed on one shiny CD) I feel Radiohead have been fighting for a new sound. Though entertaining, Kid A, Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief felt somehow empty. ... more

Rather sadly I feel, 'In Rainbows' is best known for the controversial way in which it came into the public eye. Late last year, newspapers and music mags alike were littered with articles about Thom and co's 'Big Idea'- to release their 7th album, in lieu of a record label, to the public via their popular website- and all potentially for free. Praise the heavens! The mighty music industry goliaths have been slain!

Although I can happily praise Radiohead for their boldness and ingenuity (I hate the music industry as much as the next guy) I find it a great shame that this frankly outstanding album has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding it's sudden realease. That is why I have decided to put this review right here. This is a review for 'In Rainbows' by Radiohead- the CD- a precious item I was more that happy to purchase for £8.99 at the turn of the year when these 10 tracks finally found pysical form. IT IS VERY NICE TO HAVE IT ON CD (lovey front cover, cheers Stanley Donwood) Like all the best things in life, this shouldn't come without charge. Here are just some of the reasons why paying for it is better than getting it for free...

So here it is. An absolute cracker. Ever since OK Computer in '97 (in my opinion the most perfect collection of tracks ever printed on one shiny CD) I feel Radiohead have been fighting for a new sound. Though entertaining, Kid A, Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief felt somehow empty. It seemed that Radiohead were slacking, waiting for something or merely 'hiding in the woods,' but in any case, they did not represent Radiohead at their Bends-esque peak. 'In Rainbows' though sees the five blokes back at their best.

Ironically though, this is not a new sound. It barely resembles the electronic screeching and muted, computerised dial-up modem vocals on Kid A, or the sadistic apocolypse-grunge of HTTT's 2 + 2 = 5.
This is a sound remeniscent of the early days (unsurprising really, as quite a few tracks here are live gems, reworked and reinvented from the OK Computer era), but twinged with the knowledge and newfound technical ingenuity they've picked up since the turn of the century. 'In Rainbows' is the culmination of all that they have learnt, their final exam.

Musically, they are indescribable and inexplicable. From the multi-layered ballad of 'Nude' to the haunting simplicity of 'Videotape,' the alt-rock telecaster thrashings of 'Bodysnatchers' to the uplifting climax of 'All I Need,' Radiohead continue to prove that they are not only the most musically talented, but one of the most versatile, bands out there. Nice amount of piano as well. Good to see.

Lyrically- profound, ghostly and vehement throughout. Thom wails 'you'll go to hell for what your dirty mind is thinking', working to a wonderful falsetto, before sinking to a tender chant in 'Faust Arp' The subject matter switches from the glorious triviality of a night out in 'Jigsaw Falling Into Place' to a chilling lament as to the nature of the afterlife in 'Videotape.' It is bliss.

So here is the track by track rundown.

One: 15 Step
A new live favourite and a drumbeat that everyone knows by heart. Clap clap clap clap. 'How come i end up where i started'. The bass and drums are distorted, jumpy and highly computerised, drawing in the best of Amnesiac's 'Like Spinning Plates,' before Jonny kicks in which a fantastically catchy guitar lick that meanders through the pseudo-Spanish arrogance of Thom's vocals. There is a disjointed instrumental. A hiss here. A crack there. Children scream 'Yeah!' before Thom storms back with his cyclical attack. 'You reel me out then you cut the string'. This song is yellow.

Two: Bodysnatchers
Radiohead's most loud and ostentatious song to date. The riff is heavy. The slam of the drums give the song enormous pace and Thom's angry shouting give it anger and passion. He screams 'I have no idea what you are talking about' as three guitars play in a fantastic lack of harmony. This is the BIGGEST sound Radiohead have produced to date...before curling into a series of bending notes and twisting rhytms as Thom cries 'It is the 21st century'. This is certainly a song that is arrogant and ingeniously incongruous to suit the times we live in. Oh, this song is red.

Three: Nude
It begins with gentle sighing before the hooked bass beat comes in. This song, having been floating in and out of Radiohead live sets for years under the alias 'Big Ideas,' keeps all of the beauty and personality of a live performance and is one of their most beautiful songs to date. Jonny's guitar is bright, as the electronics around him fall into a dark mist. And then of course there is THAT falsetto. Worth hearing just for that one spectacular note. Indigo

Four: Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
Again, an old fan favourite, finally produced. The drums are quick and flashy, as is the guitar. The gradual build up of layers sweep away the listener. This is a song designed to involve, taking you away to 'the deepest ocean, the bottom of the sea.' Every second is so wonderfully complex, looping arpeggios and throwing out new sounds to keep us on our feet. Like Bodysnatchers, it even changes into something different half way through, like a metamorphosis. I'd say this is blue, like a weird fish.

Five: All I Need
This is the best of several unrealeased Radiohead songs glued together (for you Radio-head's out there, I mean 'Fog,' 'Bishop's Robes' and some old demos,) creating a patchwork quilt of moody electronic knife cuts and twinkling, childish xylophone- all the while stalked by a blackout-inducing snake like hiss. But what makes this song stand out is the crushing piano section at the end. It falls on the listener like...a piano, and beautifully kicks you off your feet. Fantastically uplifting stuff. Orange

Six: Faust Arp
To cool you off, some classical guitar accompanied by snappy vocals and weeping strings in the background. Thom whispers into his mic 'I love you but enough is enough' The guitar work is sumptuous and, even for a short song, 'Faust Arp' boasts so much depth and feeling. Green, like the hilltop at dawn they played this at on their webcast.

Seven: Reckoner
My favourite. The christmassy jangling of tamborine, the soft melting guitar dripping over Thom's falsetto. 'Reckoner, you can't take it with you' The piano is used richly but cleverly. This is a fantastically uplifting track. From the highs to the gorgeous lows, this is stunning music. 'Because we separate like ripples on a blank shore.' Musical perfection. 'Because we separate like ripples In Rainbows' A Violet

Eight: House Of Cards
The most minimalistic of the tracks on the album, but the wonderment is in it's simplicity. It consists only of a thudding bassline, stringy, underground, resonant guitar crunching and highly echoed vocals. 'I don't wanna be your friend, I just wanna be your lover.' The colour of this song is off-white.

Nine: Jigsaw Falling Into Place.
I was surprised that this was selected to be the first single released from this album. Not to say that is isn't a good song, I just feel it is rather incongruous to the musical style and themes of the album as a whole. Thom sings of a night out down the pub (finally, nice simple Radiohead lyrics? No. Fantastic) The layers build even more, stealing bops and pops from Weird Fishes and the beat goes round and round, before falling into place- into a cavern of ghostly ooohs and weak chants from the heart of Thom Yorke. Pink, like their faces after 'having too much' at those Oxford boozers.

Ten: Videotape
As so recurrent throughout this album, the listener is calmed down after the chaos of Bodysnatchers, Weird Fishes, Reckoner, and now JFIP, by increasingly drastic and mellow tracks. Videotape is an otherworldly waltz through 'the pearly gates.' Thom's innocent voice pierces through the drumrolls and softly repeating piano line. This astonishing album ends 'because I know today has been the most perfect day I've ever seen.' Black

This is a wonderful album. I feel upset that I can't really do it justice. It really needs to be listened to, again and again and again, with one speaker beside each ear. Eyes closed. Start to finish. Each track contributes to a whole, thematically and musically, and you get the feeling that this marvellous piece of poetry and music has been desinged as so. This is the best that the best band in the world has to offer. Buy it. With money. And listen to it again and again. And when you're finished, buy the discbox and listen to Ithe mysterious In Rainbows Part Two (equally astonishing. Try 'Last Flowers (To The Hospital)' and 'Down Is The New Up.')

In Rainbows is avaliable in all major retail outlets, starting at whatever price you want. As long as it is over £7.99.

Also see: OK Computer by Radiohead
In Rainbows Part Two
Origin of Symmetry by Muse
Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie 

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