In Rainbows

 

 

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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.

"In Rainbows" is a thing of beauty. For the first time, a Radiohead album can be described as 'warm'. For a someone wanting to sample the band for the first time, this is the one to buy. Frontman Thom Yorke sings with real feeling and even uses a fine falsetto voice on the gorgeous 'Nude' and the equally stunning 'Reckoner'. The whole recording sounds live off-the-floor (you can even hear the close-miked stick-work of drummer Phil Selway and the ring of his closed high-hat cymbals). The obsessive-love song 'All I Need' starts quietly, driven by a bass synth line. At the three-minute mark, the percussion bursts forth in a flurry of crashing cymbals, the music rises to a crescendo and Yorke repeatedly cries out "It's all wrong, it's all right" over an accompanying piano figure - riding the wave to the song's end. Spine-tingling stuff. Radiohead is in a class by itself and this record proves it in spades.

I tried to make the title less corny, but it's too true to the point that there's no other way to describe it.

Whether you're new to Radiohead or an avid fan, you can't go wrong with this release. It really is bliss, absolute bliss. Each song is crafted in a delicate and incredibly melodic manner with each word coming out of Thom Yorke's mouth something that will provoke your thoughts and challenge your imagination. The band is as tight as they've ever been. Each note played here is crafted with the utmost of care yet nothing ever sounds contrived, pretentious or out of place. The people who gave this album one star never actually gave reasons, they just seem to generally dislike Radiohead. But to be honest, one listen of this record and you will not be able to consciously say you don't think they're brilliant. This is a guarantee.

Standout tracks here are definitely Nude, 15 Step, and House of Cards, though in reality all the tracks have a unique feel to them and none stand out as weak in this arsenal. To the point then, this is a beautiful record and everyone should here it at least once in their lifetimes. Within 15 years people will start to see it as classic that is almost mandatory to own. The Dark Side of the Moon for our generation.

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1.0 out of 5 stars A Terrible Radiohead Album
I must admit that I only listened to this album a few times during one sitting and I was deeply under the influence of absinth and it was a terrible album. Read more

Published 8 months ago by Torie Monaghan

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
I'm not the biggest Radiohead fan of all time. I don't listen to them often, I didn't like Kid A, Amnesiac, or Hail to the Theif. I really liked The Bends and OK Computer. Read more

Published on May 9 2010 by Kyle Rogers

5.0 out of 5 stars 18 great songs of In Rainbows - have their fans failed Radiohead?
18 great songs of In Rainbows - have their fans failed Radiohead? I sure looks like it if 2 years later 98% of Radiohead fans are not familiar with the strongest song of In... Read more

Published on Nov 9 2009 by Deven Gadula

5.0 out of 5 stars Yummy
To me, this culminates the greatness that is Radiohead. It's definitely the most relaxed to date. A little lighter on depth of lyrics. Rich sound. Delicious. Read more

Published on Dec 3 2008 by Rachel Turner

5.0 out of 5 stars All I Need
Wow this is not the best Radiohead but it's close. Can't beat Ok Computer. But this gets five stars. It's amazing. Weird Fishes/All I Need/ Jigsaw/BodySnatchers etc. Read more

Published on Sep 16 2008 by Harris Macklin

1.0 out of 5 stars Yuck
This is the utmost example of horrible you will ever listen to. There are many sour notes to be had and the whole thing is just a mess. Read more

Published on Mar 9 2008 by G. Soukup

5.0 out of 5 stars radiohead - in rainbows - pitchforkmedia
Like many music lovers of a certain age, I have a lot of warm memories tied up with release days. I miss the simple ritual of making time to buy a record. Read more

Published on Jan 17 2008 by T. Bigney

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid, creative Radiohead, but needs a jolt
I've listened to this CD about a dozen times and I like it. It has the musical experimentation I've come to expect from Radiohead complete with a dash of pretension and more than... Read more

Published on Jan 13 2008 by Citizen M

5.0 out of 5 stars All I Need
This CD has got to be one of Radiohead's best.
Every song is phenomenal!
It starts with "15 Steps", a rather upbeat song. Read more

Published on Jan 11 2008 by Xuan-An

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
While you've probably already heard this album, it's definitely worth picking up a copy of the CD. Not only did this album make history from a marketing perspective, it is also... Read more

Published on Jan 8 2008 by Lorne Kelly

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