In Rainbows (Radiohead, 2007)

[X.]

Radiohead has released their eagerly anticipated seventh studio album, In Rainbows, just today.

Here's the kicker: (1) It is available ONLY online; it will NOT be available in the stores, at least until end of the year; (2) Fans can buy the entire album for whatever price they think is right.

This is an incredible move from such an important and well-known band.

Support Radiohead, and show the record companies that we don't need them: www.inrainbows.com

Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' Sets Its Own Terms

Today, Radiohead made its seventh studio album, In Rainbows, available on the Internet. The 10-song work is the British band's first new release since it separated from Capitol Records, the label that promoted Radiohead's music for more than a decade. It's also the band's first full attempt at e-commerce. Rather than setting a fixed price for the download, Radiohead invites fans to pay whatever they think the music is worth, without using any of the digital-rights-management software favored by the major labels.

Even without all the fanfare about the download-only delivery, the release of In Rainbows is an event. It's new music from one of the most consistently creative rock bands of the last decade.

On everything it's done since the 1997 landmark OK Computer, the British band has challenged its listeners to think about rock music in more expansive terms. Sometimes working with samples and beatboxes, it has cranked out rhythms that are light years from the typical rock backbeat, like the hiccupping agitation of "15 Step," which begins the new album.

At the same time, Radiohead's music has serious layers of texture, unexpected chord changes and a sense of orchestration that can sweep you up into its grandeur. The spectacular swirls of guitar dissonance that drive "Bodysnatchers" could have been inspired by a Jackson Pollack painting.

Radiohead has been playing these songs live for the last few years as works in progress. It's a different approach for the band, which has typically developed its new music in the studio. Over the course of the tour, some of these pieces underwent multiple revisions. Others, like "Jigsaw Falling into Place," became more focused — and, come to think of it, much of this record feels more streamlined than the last Radiohead studio album, Hail to the Thief.

With a band like Radiohead, it's not always wise to trust the first impression. I've heard In Rainbows only a handful of times. That's not enough time to decide whether it's a masterpiece or a holding pattern for this band, or something in between. But it is enough to know this much: There's some astounding music here.

[madali]

I've been supporting this idea for a couple of years now. Its nice to know that Radiohead has finally caught up with me.

[X.]

I've listened to the album a couple of times; it's very good.

The sound varies from track to track (and it's fine) because they've used songs recorded over years.

[fizz]

Ak...the big question is, how much did you pay? Or did you torrent it? I went to the site, but didn't have heart to put in 0.01!

[madali]

I didnt like it very much. To me, most songs sound same-y, unlike AK's comments

[theoddball]

In Rainbows is, in my opinion, their best work since the classic OK Computer.

I actually ordered the box (₤40), which meant I got the downloadable version thrown in "for free".

[X.]

I actually ordered the box (₤40), which meant I got the downloadable version thrown in "for free".

That's great -- so you'll be getting that vinyl too! I'm waiting on the US release of the same box in January; the US$ works better than the ₤.

[X.]

What have you done, Oddy!

I just went ahead and ordered the ₤40 discbox as the US release of this set has now been ruled out.

Radiohead has authorized a conventional CD release, with a do-it-yourself packaging (see the video on Amazon's page). Since this set is Limited, I must get it as a huge Radiohead fan, and despite being on a student's budget. This is the last treat I'll allow myself for a while.

[theoddball]

For those of us who worship at the Church of Yorke, money is trivial.

[X.]

Garth Jennings and Adam Buxton created a hilarious music video for "15 Step" using the head-in-a-box scene from...c'mon; you know which movie! You have to see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/A7MkQJuaOrc&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/A7MkQJuaOrc&rel=1</a>.

And here <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/UKrsBVFsfIQ&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/UKrsBVFsfIQ&rel=1</a> the *official* music video for "Jigsaw Falling Into Place," Radiohead's first single from their masterpiece In Rainbows. Directed by Adam Buxton. All one-take. Very trippy.

[theoddball]

The "15 Step" mock-video is hilarious.

As for "Jigsaw", it's one of my favorite music videos in quite a while. It's interesting to watch how each band member reacts differently to that "helmet cam". Thom seems to take an immediate liking to it (and he makes us know by throwing us around as much as possible as if we're on a malfunctioning roller-coaster.) Jonny, on the other hand, seems to feel embarrassingly awkward that he has been forced to wear this stupid thing on is head - but hey, I always thought that Jonny was from another planet anyway. The way he blankly stares into the camera is priceless!

[X.]

Yes, the individual expressions are a joy to watch. You know, any other band would have looked incredibly dorky doing this video -- but not Radiohead. These guys are so cool, we'll have to rename Ice after them. (That's my Peter Travers homage.)

Also, I like how raw this video is. In a long time, with In Rainbows, the band actually seems to be having fun, and this video helps maintain that tone.

[theoddball]

Very true. Although not without the trademark Radiohead gloom sprinkled here and there, Thom's lyrics and the general feel of the album tilt to the positive side - almost hopelessly romantic in places. It's a sign of continued maturity, and a fine example of what you get when you have a highly talented group of musicians unleash their creativity without the pressures of a record label snapping at their tails, waving a copy of their contract.

[theoddball]

Found a GEM.

Radiohead's "Scotch Mist".

This is Current Television's exclusive airing of Radiohead's "Scotch Mist." In this hour long private taping, Radiohead performs all of the tracks from its newest album, In Rainbows. Other elements include poetry readings and diverse imagery created or selected by the band.

Best New Year gift for Radiohead fans.

[X.]

Very cool, thanks, Oddy!