Radiohead In Rainbows Rating: 9.5 Label: Self released / XL / TBD Recordings

As part of a generation that caught the tail end of the grunge movement music was kind of confusing to me at first. Then we were forced into some odd time where “post-grudge” and “alternative-rock” dominated the airwaves then luckily we pulled away from rap-metal when we realized commercial stations really didn’t have out interests in mind. Rock radio has had plenty of casualties. Songs were force feed to us into thinking this was real music. Pinnacle bands like R.E.M. Started producing mediocre music that turned into marketable top 40.* Basically, Radiohead is the only band that was a part of those confused adolescent years that I still piss my levi’s over.
In Rainbows marks their seventh LP. There has yet to be a disappointing LP thus far. Like any vinyl enthusiast/elitist I paid my $80 and waited. After a few months of listening to the burned CD, the discbox appears at my door. As I spun the album at 45 rpms on my numark something came over me. “15 Step” started and the hype from the “download for any price” kind of faded. This is music, let’s talk about why the sonics of this album are so important.
Since OK Computer they’ve always been on the cutting edge with recording and more importantly always pushing what instruments can do and sound. Of course bands have been doing this forever like The VU et all. Radiohead manage to combine the artistic ideas with the fundamentals of rock and roll. This is what really makes In Rainbows stand out on this album. If the true progression of RH started with The Bends then OK Computer marked the pinnacle of these ideas. Each of those albums broke free from what people expected while expanding on the best aspects. Kid A and Amnesiac grasp the listener more emotionally and experimentally. The real start of progression and the biggest test was Hail to the Thief. An ambitious album that told the world they were here to stay. Regardless of the albums, this is where the politics affect In Rainbows. After waiting since 2003 for a new album the direction is so unclear. Thankfully In Rainbows really plays off Hail to the Thief and takes it on a more courageous move for the band. It’s great rock and roll and from side one to four and it never fails to still be creative and innovative.
The entire pace of the album flows while maintaining a constant. In the same way The Eraser really had one vibe, Thom keeps with this idea while implementing mania into the mix. Early on “Nude” slows things down and Thom gets personal. Quickly “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” comes in with tight robust guitar riffage. This is the dynamic that In Rainbows is all about. The sexiest couplet on the album is the tease “Faust Arp” into “Reckoner.” The tease and romance of the first song then the tension of “Reckoner” really pulls my heart strings. Put simply nothing has been recorded this good or planned out so well in a very long time.
One of the perks of spending your hard earned paper boy money on the discbox is the bonus disc. The songs are darker, more experimental, and somewhat minimalistic (for Radiohead). All of the songs together only time in under half an hour, but are worthy of their own album. “Bangers and Mash” feels like it just slipped out of the cut for In Rainbows. The songs flow like a beautifully confused dream and a perfect after dinner cordial. In Rainbows is the main dish. Two beautiful vinyl dishes to be spun. After you’re all stuffed up but really need some more, disc two comes to the rescue. Not to be ignored by well… really anyone.
When push comes to shove I’ve told you what you already know. Radiohead is awesome and In Rainbows is fucking sick.

* I love R.E.M. And feel they are a pinnacle band for what alternative rock should be … as well they are one of the sexual partners that spawned indie/college rock

Written by: Bill Boguski on December 19th, 2007 | Filed under Music Reviews