In Rainbows – Radiohead’s could-be masterpiece
I was pretty damn excited when my download link for Radiohead’s new album In Rainbows dropped in my inbox yesterday. I couldn’t wait to hear what my three pounds had bought me. I put it straight on my iPod and have listened to it all day today, and on first impressions (whatever that’s worth for a Radiohead album) I think it’s fantastic.
It’s the most mature of all Radiohead albums, hinting at each of their previous stages in some form. From the distorted guitar chords of “Bodysnatchers” to the stirring “Nude”, this album is everything we’ve come to expect from Radiohead.
The opening track, “15 Step”, is ugly, but somehow fitting. It could have come form Thom Yorke’s solo album The Eraser.
The real standout track for me, and the song I can’t stop listening to, is “Videotape”. It’s really something you can’t put into words. I heard a version of the track a while ago on Youtube and then forgot about it. Hearing it again reminded me of the impact “Videotape” has the first time you hear it.
In Rainbows is still available for download from the official website. The response from the music press has been largely positive about the album, although it’s yet to be hailed as the masterpiece it could potentially be given time. It could be the band’s best album to date, but you can’t make statements like that after just one day’s listening.
In Rainbows is there to be enjoyed though.
Please, take five minutes, sit down, follow this link, and listen. It’s incredible.
Techno’ tags: Radiohead, In Rainbows
October 11th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Isn’t it funny that you have posted this topic while I am listening to “Nude”?
“Ooh… Ooh… Ooh…
Don’t get any big ideas
Am I gonna happen?
You paint yourself while I feel all the noise
There’ll be something missing”
Now, I just started listening to “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi”
A few minutes has passed… Another song has just begun to play.
“You’re all I need
You’re all I need
I’m in the middle of your picture
Lying in the breeze”
I listened to it all night and everytime I turn on the computer, I cannot help listening to this “In Rainbows “
October 11th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
I’ve just been listening to “Videotape”, over and over and over…
October 12th, 2007 at 7:07 am
Masterpiece?
I give it a thumbs down.
Radiohead is part The Smiths, part Massive Attack, and does justice to neither.
But them again, you praised the katoey version of Bananarama, The Venus Flytrap.
October 12th, 2007 at 7:14 am
I’m a Radiohead zealot, what can I say? But I also love Morrissey and Massive Attack. I think the album is great.
October 12th, 2007 at 7:39 am
“…this album is everything we’ve come to expect from Radiohead.”
So what’s the point?
Is it like eating at your favourite restaurant because you know it’s good?
Where is the creaticity, the originality,the genuineness if it is as you expected.
No offences of course in my message !
;-)
October 12th, 2007 at 8:09 am
The point is that it fuses everything they are, have been and will be into something new. It’s a Radiohead fan’s dream, but to anybody else it might not have as much value.
October 12th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Matt, it is better to completely ignore Fonzi, the master of spreading rumours. Fonzi does not like things that induce any sense of artistry.
The one-time shark, which now becomes a “manatee”, usually gives a thumbs up to a Thai pop song or tastelessly bland Thai country music.
Oh! I heard a rumour that two of Venus Flytrap have quit the band. Is that true?
October 13th, 2007 at 4:23 am
Sookie-
You really should stop flirting with me.
October 14th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Fonzi, what are you talking about? Who is flirting with you.
The shark is drunk, I guess!