Radiohead : In Rainbows (electronic, drum, bass, funk, house)

[Urban Hatemonger]

Radiohead - In Rainbows

15 Step
Bodysnatchers
Nude
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
All I Need
Faust Arp
Reckoner
House Of Cards
Jigsaw Falling Into Place
Videotape

[jackhammer]

This album has probably been my most played of the last three months and it's impact has not lessened. It is all too easy to eulogise about bands that already have commercial and critical acclaim, but Radiohead deserve all the praise I can give them for this album.

Radiohead seem at their most relaxed on this release than any of their other releases. Their isn't an over reliance on either Electronica or guitars on this album. It could be seen as their most accessible album, yet still steeped in their own particular sound.

[jackhammer]

Track breakdown:

15 STEP. It may not seem like a generic funk track, but it has this groove going on that is so uplifting to hear from Radiohead. There are some great little bass runs permeating the track.

BODYSNATCHERS-This is a guitar driven juggernaut that does'nt alter it's pace throughout the song and is Radiohead at their most energetic and playful.

NUDE- The pace drops here for a typically brilliant downbeat track. There is some wonderful orchestration and Yorkes vocals once again soar.

WEIRD FISHES/APREGGI-What seems at first a simple mid tempo track quickly reveals itself to be incredibly multilayered with some fantastic rythmn guitar work. I love the drum track too, while appearing complicated it moulds into the track beautifully.

ALL I NEED- A keyboard dominated ballad exquisitevly sung by Yorke. The main theme of the song is dominated by a two note piano motif that fits perfectly. The song builds into a stunningly atmospheric and uplifting crescendo that makess my neck hairs stand on end. My album fave.

FAUST ARP-Guitar and strings is the name of the game here. This is not one of my faves.

RECKONER-This seems to be a favourite of many people, unfortunately not mine. While I really like the drum pattern and the simple guitar, I just find his falsetto ever so grating as I near the end of the track.

HOUSE OF CARDS- Delicious and efficient. This song could posibly be Radioheads perfect pop song. The production is excellent on this track too, with many layers going on.

JIGSAW FALLING INTO PLACE-This reminds me of Paranoid Android a lot. Not in the songs structure, but in it's riff and tempo. Once again this is one of those tracks that builds and reveals many layers.

VIDEOTAPE-What a way to end the album. Thom Yorke and a piano slowly revealing an off kilter drum loop that is in keeping with the hypnotic beauty of the track.

[sleepy jack fire drill]

This is probably the best Radiohead album to start with, it's beautiful and has become my third favorite album by them. Reckoner is my favorite song, one of my favorite songs by them ever. I suggest this release to everyone, not just Radiohead fans.

[ItalianStallion]

I got this album at 5 AM the day the download was released. I have listened to it sooo many times...it has quickly become one of my favorites of thiers.

15 step-Opens in a fashion that goes back towared the Kid A era, heavy on the electronic beats. The beats almost make it seem that the song should be called ping-pong wars or something. About 40 seconds into the song the jazzy guitar riff comes in, and the electro side of the tune quickly dissapears. This is where the album quickly turns into a full band show.

Bodysnatchers-This funky, very driven tune starts fast, and doesn't slow down. This is one of thier most energetic tunes since electioneering. The song keeps builing up, and doesn't let go, the last few seconds of the song johnny rips a short solo-esque riff, and from there on one would assume this is going to be an energetic album.

Nude-but this proves it wrong. From here on out, the album is quite chill. The song, driven mostly by an odd bass line and thoms vocals is the transition song of the album. I easily got lost in this song...very beautiful.

weird fishies/arpeggi-the song starts off with a quick drum riff that kind of teases at some more fast paced radiohead, but once the guitar comes in the song becomes another beautiful chill radiohead peice.

All I need-Very mellow, bass and vocal driven tune. the song is beautifully sung, and builds up toward the end which makes me wish the song would never end.

faust arp-my least fav track on the album. Acoustic guitar and strings drive the song which thom chants. Short, not great, but still enjoyable.

reckoner-the song is simply beautiful. The drums surround you as the simple guitar wowrk and thom's voice come in. A definate highlight of the album, although i didn't like it at first. Same effect as paranoid android the first time i heard it...used to hate it but now i love it.

house of cards-Beautifully layered, delay guitar, possibly radioehad's most immidaite song since creep.

Jigsaw falling into place-One of my favs on the album.heavy on bass, fast acoustic guitar and drums. Thoms vocals are in an interesting style. This song intrigues me, and i never get tired of it.

videotape-as the album started with justthom and electro beats driving energy, the album ends just thom and piano bringing the album to a very mellow halt. the song keeps teasing you to think that a climax will come, but one never does. possibly the best album closer since street spirit (for them that is).


over all, i love the album...It kinda segways from an older radiohead experimental form with 15 step and transitions you into this new, chill radiohead...it does it fantastically, my only complaint is that it should be longer...i mean, waht radiohead album is shorter that Kid A...really....

[Lizzie]

i havent got a lot to say about it, but its definatly my favorite Radiohead album, my most played is bodysnatchers, and reckoner of course, but all are very very good
Excellent!

[Wayfarer]

Who voted good? WHO?!

It's eeeeexcellent.

[Mr Sensitive]

My favorite album of 2007,

[Nosmada]

great album, loved it so much fav of 2007

[Piss Me Off]

It would be in my top 10 of 2007, but it seemed a bit lacking compared to their other efforts. There's nothing there that particularly challenged me like on HTTT, i prefer the tense atmosphere of that album far more. That said, Radiohead at this pace are still a lot better than most of the competition...