Album Review: Radiohead – In Rainbows

ukevents.net · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 2439

Radiohead – In Rainbows

Whilst posing for a few cheesy pictures is enough publicity for some bands to promote their new album, Radiohead totally shuck the boat on promoting their latest offering. A series of cryptic messages were posted on the bands website, leading to rife speculation that some serious news was going to be announced. Most artists announce a new album three months in advance. Radiohead didn’t. After telling us the album would be out in a few weeks, they rattled the entire music industry by letting fans pick the price. From £0 to £100, it really was up to you this time.

So after all the publicity, many people actually forgot about one thing. What does the record sound like? Radiohead have a habit of altering their sound from album to album. After creating one of the most popular albums of all time, the sound of Ok Computer was not replicated to the follow up album Kid A. Out went the guitars and in came experimental electronics that divided fans and critics alike. It wasn’t until Hail To Thief that Radiohead were finding their feet as the band responsible for songs such as Fake Plastic Trees and Karma Police.

If you play the album from start to finish, then album opener 15 Step may not be the best way to reassure fans that Radiohead are back to their best. With blistering electronic drums that would do the likes of Aphex Twin proud, they rattle round like an angry wasp trapped in a container. However this isn’t the second cousin of Idioteque, from Kid A. As soon as the beats appear, they are quickly faded out and forced under a stinging guitar line and Thom Yorke’s trademark wailing vocals.

What is interesting about this album is that nearly all the songs can be traced back to being road tested on tour. Videotape, All I Need and Reckoner have all been played and watching the footage on Youtube shows what transitions have happened to the songs. But more notablly is the inclusion of the track Nude. Making an appearance back in the days of OK Computer, it never quite made it on to any releases up until now. Fans have long requested its inclusion and it’s been a long wait to hear something that Radiohead have always talked about. The result? A delicate arrangements of strings that works perfectly with Yorke’s voice. His vocals may not be perfection, but this song showcases them to their full potential and leaves a haunting impression.

Radiohead have already established themselves as world beaters. Not only do they shun the industry they are in, but they do what they want and are not scared to take risks. From ever changing styles and brilliant solo albums from both Yorke and Johnny Greenwood this band possess a ridiculous amount of talent. Many argue they have peeked with Ok Computer but this album shows that they still have plenty of ideas and are set to go on for a long time.

Written by Matthew for UKEvents.net