| Radiohead's In Rainbows was released on the 10th | | | | a big fan of a compact album that makes you |
| of October in 2007 in a move that shocked the | | | | want even more when you're done listening to it. |
| rock music world. Just 10 days earlier Radiohead | | | | And they've really set it up with the "b-sides" |
| made the surprise announcement they would be | | | | flowing perfectly out of the first 10 tracks so |
| releasing their new album (that most didn't expect | | | | that you can make In Rainbows into an 18 track |
| out until 2008) and that it would be available in | | | | epic if you want to. |
| download only format at first and most | | | | "Bodysnatchers" (the second track on In |
| surprisingly of all, they were going to let people | | | | Rainbows) is Radiohead's best rock song since at |
| decide for themselves how much to pay for it. | | | | least The Bends era (I'm thinking "Just" & "My |
| While I applaud Radiohead for their creativity in | | | | Iron Lung") and maybe ever. Who else can make |
| album releases, it's their creativity in music that | | | | a guitar sound like that other than Jonny |
| really interests me. The "pay what you want" | | | | Greenwood? He's a true wizard. And I'm not just |
| download didn't effect me because I paid $81 for | | | | saying that because he appeared in a Harry |
| the limited edition "deluxe" version (which included | | | | Potter movie. Didn't know that? Look it up, it's |
| the download of course, along with a CD version, | | | | true. |
| an LP version, and an additional CD with 8 extra | | | | "Nude" may be the most beautiful song |
| tracks.) | | | | Radiohead's ever produced and that's saying quite |
| Now that the hysteria over their supposed | | | | a bit. It's just an absolutely perfect song with a |
| "record industry destroying" record release | | | | perfect arrangement and perfect vocals. It's a |
| method has died down, it's high time to take | | | | good thing too because they've been trying to |
| another look at the music itself. It's the music that | | | | record this song for 10 years. They wanted to |
| makes In Rainbows one of the classic albums of | | | | get it right, and they have. |
| the the decade. | | | | "All I Need" with it's awesome bass line and it's |
| The album is, in my estimation, their most | | | | groovy beat may just be my favorite song on |
| consistent yet. It flows like perhaps only Kid A | | | | the album. I love the melody and the vocals and |
| flows. It sounds as a whole piece, but that doesn't | | | | the sound. Absolutely everything about this song |
| mean that it's "samey" or boring. It's not. Each | | | | is perfect. The lyrics kill me. "I'm an animal trapped |
| song is instantaneously memorable on it's own | | | | in your hot car, I am all of the days you choose |
| merits but somehow still connected to those | | | | to ignore" and "I am a moth that just wants to |
| around it. | | | | share your light, I'm just an insect trying to get |
| The album starts off with dirty distorted electro | | | | out of the night" are brilliant. But the line that really |
| beats on "15 Steps" which probably had many | | | | gives me shivers is this "I only stay with you |
| people thinking Radiohead was going more in the | | | | because there are no others." What's so |
| Kid A/Thom Yorke solo album (The Eraser) sort | | | | breathtaking about that line is that he sings it right |
| of direction. But then about 40 seconds in enters | | | | before going into the "you're all I need" chorus. |
| the smooth clean guitar (no distortion) that would | | | | I've read that Yorke says the song is about a |
| be heard throughout this album. In fact this is | | | | co-dependency relationship and that line really |
| easily their most "guitar centric" album since OK | | | | drives that idea home in an intense way. |
| Computer. While that could easily be seen as a | | | | "Faust Arp" is probably the one song on the |
| retreat from experimentation, it's really anything | | | | album that I didn't really love right away but it is |
| but. | | | | an interesting sound for Radiohead. It's a nice |
| In Rainbows continues to push the "studio as an | | | | middle point in the album that sets up for the final |
| instrument" experimentation that Radiohead and | | | | four songs. I think it's a good way to let the |
| their long time producer, Nigel Godrich, have been | | | | album sort of breathe after the intensity of "All I |
| working on since 1995's The Bends. For me this is | | | | Need." |
| vital to a great Radiohead album. Yes their songs | | | | "Reckoner" is another sort of new sound for |
| are great and their musicianship is incredible and | | | | Radiohead. The percussion sounds quite unlike |
| yes Thom Yorke is the best rock singer int he | | | | anything I've heard from them before. The vocals |
| world, but the "atmosphere" of the songs is just | | | | are beautiful. I still remember being a bit shocked |
| as big of a factor in what makes me love | | | | when I first heard this on the album as they were |
| Radiohead as any of those other factors. | | | | playing a song called "Reckoner" that was a heavy |
| In Rainbows is filled to the brim with beautiful | | | | rocker that sounds really nothing like this. |
| production ideas and surprising musical | | | | This is an album meant to be played from |
| arrangements that take the songs from been | | | | beginning to end. It's a work of art in a time of |
| merely great to being truly transcendent. | | | | trivial throw away pop music. I gave it 10/10 |
| While I love the songs on the "b-sides" disc sent | | | | stars when I first heard it almost a year ago, and |
| with the deluxe version of In Rainbows, I also | | | | today I give it the same score. I'd give it an even |
| very much agree with Radiohead's decision to | | | | higher score but, well OK. Who's stopping me? It's |
| release the official album as a 10 track album. I'm | | | | gets an 11/10! |