Quick history of Radiohead: First there was their debut Pablo Honey, which gave them their sole U.S. hit single, "Creep;" then highly regarded yet conventional The Bends; followed by highly regarded yet unconventional OK Computer, often cited as one of the '90's best albums (The Bends often is too); then the truly unconventional electronic departure of Kid A and its companion Amnesiac, which some people declare are genius albums and others go "huh?" Then finally Hail to the Thief, a return to a more conventional rock sound, albeit still pretty experimental.
This time the experiment goes beyond just the sound and over to the marketing. Radiohead has been a notable holdout in offering their catalog on iTunes, claiming they don't want consumers to pick tracks off their albums, as they insist they record their work as total album experiences. This is a claim, while pompous, that I would mostly agree with. But with record stores dying off quickly, what's a band that insists it's in the albums business to do? Self-release is Radiohead's answer, the band famously making In Rainbows available only on-line through its Web site, and even more famously, allowing purchasers to name their price (I paid $10, since I figured that's what I'd have been willing to pay had they offered this on iTunes). It's a clever experiment that's generated record heaps of press for the band, and probably delivered more sales in $3-$5 increments than they would have ever hoped to make with a conventional release at $10-$15 a pop.
It's a good thing too, for it's an astounding album. Some electronic flourishes remain, but this album's focus is on good songcraft, not just the soundcraft of Kid A. It's may more accessible than that album, Hail to the Thief, or even OK Computer. It's quite lovely too, with a good blend of upbeat and laid back tracks. Opener "15 Steps" is one of my favorites: laden with drums and blips, the track takes a nice mellow electronic break in the middle. It's a great opening track. Another upbeat track, the feedback-rich "Bodysnatchers" follows. Has Radiohead rocked like this since The Bends? I don't think so.
"Nude" is an aptly titled ballad, stripped of the typical flourishes, it's a simple vocal/acoustic guitar/keyboard/drum track, with just enough ambient synth effects to lend richness. "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" is lush, laid back acoustic guitar and haunting vocal with a musical build-up. It's fine, but goes on a bit long for what it is, making it my least favorite track. Emotional "All I Need" is another standout. Electronic bass and piano pulse forth here with a slowly delivered vocal and a rich, dramatic finish. "Faust Arp," short for arpeggio, is the album's shortest track, a lovely taste of acoustic guitar and strings.
On its face "Reckoner" would appear to be pretty straightforward--guitar and heavy percussion--until halfway through there's an abrupt break in the music, which switches to vocal harmony and strings, before then blending the two elements in the end. "House of Cards," which uses heavy reverb on Thom Yorke's vocals, manages to convey an unusual warmth for Radiohead, despite its atmospherics.
"Jigsaw Falling Into Place" is darker and a more conventional mix of typical band elements, with a good acoustic guitar and bass middle section. Piano chords begin "Videotape," the bleak closing track, which slowly adds in the other elements: vocals, bass, drums, background vocals, and sounds effects. They all recede until only the piano strikes the album's final note.
Media manipulation aside, In Rainbows is a fine album, and although it's rumored that more tracks will be included next year when the album gets a physical release, it feels complete as is. I've admired Radiohead for some time, but I didn't really consider myself a fan until now.
Best: 15 Steps, Bodysnatchers, All I Need, Reckoner, Nude, House of Cards, Faust Arp, Videotape, Jigsaw Falling Into Place
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