Review: Radiohead, In Rainbows
It’s the best Radiohead album since OK Computer.
Indeed, the spirit of In Rainbows is largely evocative of OK Computer, if less sweeping in scope. The album overall is more intimate and more quiet than we’ve ever seen from Radiohead, and the deliberate incomprehension of Kid A and Amnesiac have largely been abandoned. At the same time, this is not a return to The Bends or low-fi roots (compare Wilco’s latest effort for an example of going back too far into one’s past); there are plenty of tracks in the current album that seem to be direct sonic children of Hail to the Thief or even of Thom Yorke’s solo effort.
Yes, you can download it and pay as much or as little as you want. I paid 5 pounds, which I thought was about right at the time — in retrospect I would pay even more. It’s well worth it — it’s accessible, intelligent and moving music, reaffirming Radiohead’s title as the most important band in the last 30 years.
Incidentally, I happen to agree with the analysis at Puddlegum.
OK, but does he sound whiney?
Comment by Susan M — October 21, 2007 @ 8:39 pm
Susan, yes, I think Thom Yorke does sing on this album too.
Comment by BTD Greg — October 21, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
LOL, you haters!!
Comment by Supergenius — October 21, 2007 @ 8:49 pm
Thom Yorke sounds like Thom Yorke, which for me is great.
I don’t know yet if I like In Rainbows more than KidA/Amnesiac. I really like those albums a lot. I’m still getting my head around In Rainbows. I like it more every time I listen to it. I’m pretty sure I like it more than Hail to the Thief (which I also liked).
I don’t really see Wilco’s latest as much of a return to their past. Sure, it doesn’t do the same kinds of things that YHF and Ghost do, but nor is it very much like any of their first three albums. I won’t argue with you if you don’t like it—I’m ambivalent about it as a whole, though some tracks really kill me (in a good way)—I just don’t think it’s alt country at all.
Comment by Tom — October 21, 2007 @ 10:29 pm
such a great band, i remeber all cool, twisted in a good way and inspiring videos. I´m glad theyre back!!
Comment by zooloo — October 22, 2007 @ 4:00 am
Interestingly Kid A was my favorite Radiohead album. (Although I agree with those who said that had they taken half of Kid A and half of Amnesiac it would have been a perfect album)
I haven’t heard this one yet.
Comment by Clark — October 22, 2007 @ 12:05 pm
Listening as I type. Radiohead continue to be the most compelling band of our age. Plus, they’re from Oxford.
Comment by Ronan — October 22, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
Just got it this morning (paid 5 pounds) and listened to it on the train in to work. Fantastic.
Comment by Rusty — October 22, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
Right on, Rusty. Try the 01-10 playlist they mention at Puddlegum. It’s great.
Comment by Supergenius — October 22, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
Took them a long time, but it’s pure beauty. Thom’s voice sounds much less paranoid, not that the paranoia’s a bad thing, of course.
Comment by MattG — October 24, 2007 @ 10:23 pm