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In Rainbows

October 10, 2007 2:48 PM

ots of people have already discussed the fact that you can download Radiohead's new album, In Rainbows, and pay as much--or as little--as you want. I think it's great that Radiohead is doing this, but mostly because it means that I get their new album for free and don't have to feel guilty about it. I don't think that it'll have any effect on the music industry at large, though.

What's more important, though, is the music. So, here are my thoughts on my first listen.

  1. 15 Step. I think this is a really strange opener. It just sounds to me like it belongs deeper in the album, although it does serve to catch my attention. Still, it's really sparse at first, and it's not particularly compelling--there's just too much electronic nonsense for my taste, although I definitely enjoy it overall and could see myself enjoying it in a Beta Band sort of way. Not bad by any means, but not great. Three out of five stars.
  2. Bodysnatchers. I think this would have been a better opener. I definitely like it more, it's more upbeat, more energetic, and more frentic. I think this is a really good example of an upbeat good Radiohead song: it's a good song with a great groove and energy where the electronic or experimental aspects compliment an already good composition, rather than detracting from it. Even though this song coming from any other band would be really exciting and new, though, it's not a very huge advance for Radiohead--I've heard them do very similar stuff before. Still, if it sounds good, why change? Four stars.
  3. Nude. Eh. I don't mind this song at all, and the guitars are really interesting, as is most of the instrumentation. There's just nothing about the song that grabs me. I just don't see myself seeking this one out. Three stars.
  4. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi. My first impression is that I think I'm still listening to "Nude." Also, the drums are really repetative--I wonder if they're real drums or drum-machine drums. Although the song goes through several different dynamic changes, it still leaves me cold and ends up being mostly ambient. That's not bad, but it's not my style. Three stars.
  5. All I Need. So far, I'm getting the sense that there's one glaring weakness to this album: all of the songs set up a certain groove with certain parts and then they stick with that groove for almost the whole song. So, although they get louder and quieter, the songs end up sounding really repetative, which is strange for Radiohead, who usually write songs that, to paraphrase Mr. X., "change, then change some more, then change again." This song is definitely subject to that criticism--it repeats that same bass motif throughout--but I like this one. It's probably my favorite on the album so far. Four stars.
  6. Faust Arp. Seriously, I love the guitars on this album. They sound so deep and lust, almost as if there are thousand guitars going at the same time. I'm sure you'd hear even more depth if you listened to this on headphones. But none of that changes the fact that, so far, I'm not impressed with the songwriting. This song just leaves me cold. The strings are alright, but they sound more like a vague attempt to make the song less repetative to me. Three stars.
  7. Reckoner. I'm bored. Two stars.
  8. House of Cards. I'm bored again. And Thom's wailing is freaking me out. Two stars.
  9. Jigsaw Falling Into Place. Here we go. Although this song has the same problems I think the whole album's got, at least it's got fucking energy. I might actually look forward to listening to this one. Four stars.
  10. Videotape. This is alright as a closer, I guess. But it's still just the same little piano part over and over. Three stars.

So there it is. I'm pretty fucking disappointed, I have to say. I didn't find anything remarkable about the album at all. I'll listen to it a few more times because it's new, but I'm not particularly excited to listen to it right now. Who knows--my opinion might change. I certainly changed my mind about Neon Bible. Zeitgeist still sucks, though.

On a side note . . .
Please tell me through e-mail or the tagboard on the right if you're having trouble posting comments. Thanks.



11 Comments


Santi said:

Boo, you didn't give them anything for In Rainbows? I gave them $7, which is I think a fair price. I haven't heard the whole album yet, but what I have heard has sounded pretty damn good. But of course, I like Kid A and OK Computer more than The Bends, so our tastes would vary.

As for comments, I'm not having trouble posting comments, but the tagboard keeps reloading constantly for me everytime I visit your page. This could of course be a browser problem (Safari, it doesn't seem to happen with Firefox), but this problem certainly didn't exist a few weeks ago. Just something to keep an eye on I guess.

October 10, 2007 4:32 PM



Ismael Tapia II said:

I didn't give them any money because I don't see why I should. They've allowed me to give them as much as I want for the album, from nothing to a billion dollars. I'll take a free album any day, so that's what I did. I don't think it's wrong--they must have known that a large number of people would give absolutely nothing and they still chose to do it. And I don't feel bad for Radiohead in any way--they're not hurting for money. It would be different, I think, if it was some unknown band that I really liked and really wanted to support. But Radiohead doesn't need my money--and I'd still willingly pay upwards of $100 to see them. So I don't feel bad about downloading the thing and not leaving any money.

I figure that a lot of people are really going to like this album; the reviews I've seen have been very positive. Still, it just didn't click for me. Part of that is probably that I don't hold Radiohead in the same esteem as a lot of other people. I'm not saying that colors your objectivity at all. I just don't think I gave the album as much of a chance as a hard-core fan might have.

And, although I do prefer The Bends to their later, more electronic and experimental albums, that's not what turned me off. I just found that the song structures were really lazy. Oh well, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

October 11, 2007 2:04 AM



TheExpat said:

While bands make next to nothing off of CD's, they stand to make millions from a successful tour. Still, I've decided to pay around 10 bucks for their new one, as that's likely what I'd spend for a used copy at Bookman's back home.

October 11, 2007 2:29 AM



tRJ said:

I paid $10 for the album, partly because I know it'll be worth it. I've paid more for crappier music, and Radiohead never disappoints.

But I mostly want to encourage the business model. It's awesome that my $10 is going to the band, not to some guy at Columbia. That's how it should be. Hopefully, if this proves viable for Radiohead, other people will do it, too.

October 11, 2007 8:57 AM



Ismael Tapia II said:

tRJ,
That's the thing--I think this business model is bullshit. If you want to be really cool and give the record business the finger, then just give the music away and concentrate on touring--that's where most artists make most of their money, anyway. I felt like I was being guilted into giving the band money, and that's nonsense.

Also, I think this business model is great for a band like Radiohead that has a huge and very devoted following. I think it would be complete nonsense for a band that wasn't as well known or well loved. I think artists are going to have to find a way to be financially successful that's completely outside of the old model, but I don't think this is it.

October 11, 2007 11:23 AM



frank x. said:

I was planning on giving them around $5 but I couldn't get through the damn website. Instead I got it for free from Ismael. I feel no guilt whatsoever because I know I will be buying the actual disc when they release it next year. Also, there was a limit to how much you could pay. I think it was like 99.99 GBP.
So far I like the album, though I've only heard it once. As to how much I like it compared to the other albums, I would say that right now my ranking, in which I like them all, is as follows: Kid A, OK computer, Hail to the Thief, The bends, Amnesiac, In Rainbows, Pablo Honey. I still need to listen to it a few more times though, so maybe it will change.

October 11, 2007 1:27 PM



tRJ said:

Just for kicks, and since I seemed to have liked the album more than you, I'm writing a counterpoint review. Overall, I really like the album. I was happy to see so many songs that have been live staples for a while.

1. 15 Step (4) I like how the layers build, especially when the guitar part comes in.

2. Bodysnatchers (4) This has a nice low-fi quality to it. They've definitely done this kind of thing before; it actually
would fit right in with the songs on the How Am I Driving? EP.

3. Nude (3) I think this one's better live. On the album, it's too dense, too lush, and the singing isn't as urgent. I also liked it better when this was called "Big Ideas (Don't Get Any)" simply because it's a more entertaining title.

4. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi (4) I like how two distinct concepts were dovetailed into one track here.

5. All I Need (5) This has a dark vibe to it, and continues the stalker theme from "Climbing Up the Walls." I can see this one becoming a favorite.

6. Faust Arp (3) I like it but I agree that it doesn't grab me.

7. Reckoner (3) This is one I think I like better than the live version, which was more rocking. It still isn't jumping out at me, though I could see it growing on me, as I really like some parts, especially the vocals late in the song.

8. House of Cards (5) This is such a good song, even though it's very unusual for Radiohead. The lyrics are heart-wrenching and the atmospheric guitar is awesome.

9. Jigsaw Falling Into Place (4) I've always liked this one (as it makes me dance a little) and am glad they finally recorded it.

10. Videotape (3) It makes a good closer, but it's not a standout.

This certainly won't overtake The Bends or OK Computer, but I like it better than Kid A or Pablo Honey. I suspect it will ultimately fall into a tie with Hail to the Thief and Amnesiac.

October 12, 2007 11:05 AM



Lauren said:

I paid about $10 for it, and I figured that would cover costs. It still takes resources in time, money and people to make music (even digitally), so I thought ten bucks would at least cover cost. As for the content, I like it so far. My first impression was that they've mellowed, but not in a bad way. This album seems prettier, but still distinctly Radiohead. I'll have to listen to it more.

October 12, 2007 11:07 AM



Kathreen said:

Your article perfectly shows what I needed to know, takhns!

July 10, 2011 7:40 AM









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