Radiohead - In Rainbows
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Free Music Notes for In Rainbows
Free Music Review: Jigsaws falling into place...
Hit: 5 Stars
At a certain point, a marvelous band will get a reputation so overwhelming, it's simply not possible for them to keep topping themselves.
And from the sound of "In Rainbows," Radiohead has decided not to let their reputation loom over them -- and I'm not just talking about the online digital release. In their latest album, they reinvent their bittersweet pop sound -- they lose some of the trappings of their past work, in favour of warmer, more intimate melodies and traditional instrumentation.
It opens on an angular note with "15 Steps," which is built around a jagged riff.The first couple minutes are full of fuzzy synth stabs and sharp drums, sounding like a jazz number that's being eaten by a computer. "How come I end up where I started?/How come I end up where I went wrong?" Thom Yorke sings mournfully. "You reel me out then you cut the string..."
But then the guitars slide in and twine through the song, softening it into something very different. The scratchy synth beats and subtle guitar start building to a slow crescendo, staying energetic and almost reggae-esque right to the end.
See it as kind of a transition song for Radiohead; they're easing listeners into their new acoustic sound, rather than just dropping us in. But after that, they pretty much leave the "Kid A" territory behind them -- "Bodysnatchers" is an intense rocker brimming with chunky riffs and softly ringing guitars. It's a gorgeous piece.
After that, the songs gently slip down into more introspective territory -- smooth, dark pop songs wrapped in a heavy blanket of fluid strings and subtle slide guitar. Some of these are dressed up in thick guitars and clattery drums. "Jigsaw Falling Into Place drops the strings for a vibrant guitar-rocker edged with synth, and it all finished up with the quivering, melodic finale "Videotape."
You know, I didn't think that Radiohead could surprise me. So many bands get mired in their best-known sound, and they keep turning out the same ol' because that is what the fans expect. But Radiohead has not only made an exquisitely bittersweet pop album, but they've also injected vitality back into their sound. They sound brand new.
Particularly, they've almost abandoned the cool, alien synth of their last few albums. It's still there in patches, but it's quietly overwhelmed by the layers of slide guitar, streams of piano, and smooth sweeps of elegant strings. These are seamlessly woven with clattering drums and cymbals, thick crunchy riffs. And yes, occasionally a little speck of synth.
But their songwriting is much the same -- simple, yet oblique ("I am a moth who just wants to share your light... I only stick with you because there are no others/You are all I need"). While Yorke's trademark wail is still in place, he sounds more melancholy and contemplative than outright woe-is-me angsty. He even sounds a bit cheerful in "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi."
Most long-standing bands can't summon up a new sound, and new freshness, this far into their careers. But Radiohead have created a quiet little masterpiece in "In Rainbows" -- beautiful, quiet, and melancholy.
Free Music Review: One of the best of '07, but the full version would be even better
Hit: 5 Stars
("In Rainbows" by Radiohead)
There are plenty of reviews here that can tell you, in full detail, about the long-awaited "hard copy" release of Radiohead's latest album. Since I've been listening to the mp3 version for a couple of months now, I definitely agree it's one of the best of '07, which I suppose technically makes the CD version already one of the best of '08 (not that it matters, but let us praise the band for it's release strategy). You know what would be even better, though? If the band were to release the COMPLETE "In Rainbows." As many of you already know, when the band announced the availability of their tip-jar downloads, people could also choose to buy a super-deluxe "discbox," featuring both CD and double-LP vinyl editions, not to mention art, lyrics and a tantalizing bonus disc. This would feature 8 new songs not on the main album. While it's easy to assume these tracks would be castoffs--what were once referred to as "B-Sides," it turns out that most of them are every bit as good as the material on the album proper. While two of the tracks--"MK1" and "MK2"--are just short instrumentals ("MK1" seems to be an embryonic version of "Videotape") the remaining 6 songs are fully fleshed out, and would make worthy additions to the main album. "Last Flowers" is a piano-based ballad that would make a nice compliment to the acoustic guitar-based "Faust Arp" from the main album. "Up On the Ladder" balances a memorable guitar riff with glitchy electronics. "Bangers & Mash" is a clattering rocker that could have served to toughen up the album, which is noticeably short on rowdiness (only the wonderful "Bodysnatchers" really lets loose).
Therein lies the rub, as Shakespeare (who I believe, and don't quote me on this, was a huge Radiohead fan) might say. The only "official" way to get these songs right now is to buy the full discbox, which the band was charging about $80 for. Of course, those who didn't feel obligated to pay anything for downloading the original album won't feel any pangs by going to file sharing or Russian mp3 sites. The same can be said for some of those that did pay. The current CD edition, needless to say, what I'll refer to as the "bare bones" edition, even though at only 10 songs and 40 minutes, is a more than worthy edition to the band's estimable catalogue. I suppose that the "full" version will be released more widely before too long, and that would be well worth waiting for. Until then, the album is still a great thing, and many of the extra songs can be found in live performances scattered throughout the vast wilderness of YouTube. As for why the band chose to keep the album at only 10 songs is something only they can answer (rock history is rife with tales of "B-Sides" that became hits), and I hope the answer comes in the form of the full 18 song (69 minutes!) "In Rainbows."
For those interested, the track listing for the bonus disc is as follows:
1. MK1
2. Down is the New Up
3. Go slowly
4. MK2
5. Last Flowers
6. Up On the Ladder
7. Bangers & Mash
8. 4 Minute Warning
Free Music Review: Best album of 2007
Hit: 5 Stars
Originally written on October 10, 2007...
Radiohead released their seventh album this week, amid much hoopla. The "pay what you want." feature has been debated on the web and in the media ever since it was first announced back on October 1st. Here's a question, though. How's the music?
Well, I'm happy to report that the music is excellent. While not the giant stylistic leap that Kid A was from OK Computer, there is definite evidence of growth on In Rainbows.
The first thing that jumps out at you is the percussion. Phil Selway's drumming propels the band throughout the album. However, it's the blending of the guitar-driven rock and more experimental material that seems to finally be reaching the heights hinted at on the last album, Hail To The Thief.
The opening track, 15 Steps, is full of the electronic beats and syncopation we heard on Kid A and Amnesiac. However, this time, they're complemented by a wonderfully warm guitar and bass. The album is drawing you in with the same ethereal qualities of the Bends and OK Computer, but it's still challenging you like Kid A and Amnesiac. The blend is irresistibly inviting.
Fuzzy, churning guitar introduces my early favorite for best track on the album, Bodysnatchers. The pace is ferocious and the song quite frankly kicks major a**. Ed and Colin hitch a ride with Phil while Jonny and Thom provide signposts along the way.
The third track, Nude, is a song that the band have been working on for over ten years. Originally part of the sessions for OK Computer, and originally titled "Big Ideas (Don't Get Any)", it was featured during the tour promoting the album back in 1997, but was never actually recorded. After a decade of tinkering, the result is another beautifully haunting ballad in the tradition of Street Spirit.
We're right back to prevalent drums in Weird Fishes/Arpeggi, which features a great jam where the lead guitar seems to be more like a twinkling bell (do bells twinkle?).
All I Need proceeds at a dirge-like pace, and the music is as low key as the pace suggests. However, the lyrics are some of the most heartfelt/creepy on the album. Is it a song of love? Not quite. Listen again.
Soft acoustic guitars and violin are featured in Faust Arp, a song that recalls Eleanor Rigby.
Reckoner has an almost dance beat to it. A very cool groove going on underneath some disturbing lyrics. Ahh, Thom.
House of Cards is another one that makes you think. Is it a political statement? Not necessarily. Listen again, and it sounds like maybe it's a discussion between two adulterers.
Jigsaw Falling Into Place features a prominent acoustic guitar, and rolls along at a good clip. Describing life in a band, or just a night out perhaps?
Closing out the album is Videotape. Thom at the piano musing on death, it's a haunting end to an excellent album.
In Rainbows is a document of a band at the height of their powers. I haven't been this excited by a record in years.
A +
Free Music Review: Is it possible 231 reviewers before could be wrong?
Hit: 5 Stars
I read somewhere that RadioHead fans would blindly accept anything this band produced without any critical thought because they are so firm in their convicitions. I listened to Radiohead since the mid 90's and never heard anything mediocre. A more mature sound in the later years but their early material is still very compelling.
Having said that, the album's packaging is a disaster - a booklet rather than a jewel-case that took 10 days to arrive from Innuendo Entertainment which claimed First Class shipment. Innuendo's First Class delivery has to be by truck or mule. I don't understand the card-board cd sleeve - an "accident waiting to happen", designed to scratch the disk rather than protect it. The decals were a nuissance too but they were not as annoying as the sleeve. Come on marketing & distribution executives - are you guys sharing a single brain cell? This is the best rock band in the world and you can't put together a servicable package for the consumer?
Concerning content there are no weak tracks on this CD. All tracks are tastefully arranged and complement one another. The songs have all the markings they will stand the test of time, professionally mixed and recorded.
I am very happy with the audio aspects of this recording which is tough to come by with rock recordings. I'm particularly impressed with the clarity and realism of the percussion instruments, the placement of the vocals, the layering of the sound effects, positioning of the instruments for the sound stage. On first listen I had a strong sense for the recording environment, the atmosphere created was vey palpable.
Needless to say RadioHead has to be the most significant rock band of our times. Not long ago I watched a 1994 concert DVD from the London - Astoria Hotel. Camerawork was very twitchy like somebody was experiencing a heavy rush of amphetamines - the camera could hardly focus on anything no longer than 2-3 seconds. But the music and the band's performance was top-notch and it probably was a no-brainer to the most casual audience member this band was the real deal.
"Rainbows" is another confirmation that more cutting edge material is to follow from these highly talented musicians. No attempts at commercial fillers with any of the tracks. I respect their professionalism for not releasing anything before they were convinced their product was ready. If Radiohead somehow looses the magic - they can always be proud looking back on a great collection of recordings which redefined rock music.
One other thing that always impressed me about their approach is apart from their highly innovative material they have paid tributes in subtle ways to important musicians that came before them showing us the evolution of rock, the beautiful chords and rythms of by-gone years that can be improved upon, played with more dynamism, sheer virtuosity, sensitivity and courage.
Free Music Review: In Rainbows
Hit: 5 Stars
Radiohead-In Rainbows *****
If it is possible Radiohead managed to make yet another masterpiece. In the years Radiohead has been a band they have produced and released the greatest albums of their time, it is like clock work for these blokes. Johnny Greenwood and O'Brien are still creating some of the more hauntingly beautiful guitar work ever as well as some of the most angry and powerful guitar work ever. There is a reason why critics continuesly name Radiohead the strongest guitar band of our generation, because they continue to grow and produce new exciting work. Then there is Thom Yorke who after returning to the band after an interesting yet dissapointing solo album has found his niche once again. Much in the same way U2 grow and adapt to what is new, Radiohead are constently growing and CREATING what is new, so really a comparrison to David Bowie is more accurate.
From the haunting hallow soundscapes of tracks like the sensitive 'Nude' and 'Weird Fishes I Arpeggi' which have become trademarks for the band to the electronic influence of the albums opener '15 Step' which while short lyricaly, the content of the lyrics are without compare some of the strongest Yorke has ever laid to print. "How Come I End Up Where I Started?/How Come I End Up Where I Went Wrong?/ Wont Take My Eye Of The Ball Again/You Reel Me Out Then Cut The String." You cant even compete with the melodramatics of something like that. The String arrangement toward the end of 'All I Need' which sort of seages into 'Faust Arp' is....breathtaking isn't the right word just the first to come to mind. 'Jigsaw Falling Into Place' starts off with an acoustic guitar riff that reminds of 'Karma Police' but then quicky picks up turning into the albums strongest track. With odd time signatures to begin with the song changes signatures mid way through building upon it even more like suspence in a horror movie with Yorkes vocals shinding the chills up your spin just like a killer would upon first appearance. The song kills just about anything the band has done before as does the album.
Dare I say In Rainbows is the crowning achievement of Radiohead. It seems to me that this is what they have been working for their entire career. Don't get me wrong Im not saying at all that they should call it a day because of this one because I still hear a band that has plenty to accomplish and lots more room to grow. What I am saying however is that In Rainbows is the best thing Radiohead has released to date. Nothing quite comes close to it, not even Kid A or Ok Computer. Both great albums but are falling short in comparison. In Rainbows is it. The best albums from 2007 easily, and I forsee this being THE album from 2000-2010.