A Jon Black Review of Radiohead’s In Rainbows
***Disclaimer***
I am not a professional music snob…er, critic nor do I know how to use big words like incendiary (you’re welcome Cameron Crowe). Please understand that when I review albums I tell you what I think without all the obscure adjectives.
In Rainbows by Radiohead
First things first, I kind of agree with Bob Lefsetz on how they released this “album”. He’s a little too bitter for me on this post but I agree with the notion that they could have released flac files since Radiohead is claiming the only way to listen to this record is by CD. I also agree that this isn’t the full album but going into this listen I knew there would be a hard copy. Can anyone confirm if there’s going to be more than just the uber-collector’s $80 box? This could be one the nails in the coffin (not the final) for the major label RECORD business… not the MUSIC business. As of last Friday there were 1.2 million downloads of In Rainbows.
Enough about that. How’s the music?
This is pretty much like every other Radiohead album… brilliant. From the moody All I Need and the louder Bodysnatchers, In Rainbows (part 1) is a well-paced journey and should be enjoyed from start to “finish”. If I had to choose a favorite song on this “album” it would probably be the last track, Videotape. It’s simple, haunting, and emotional. This is a must own for any fan of Radiohead or any fan of great music. I’m not doing back-flips over this album like I was when OK Computer came out and I first listened (yeah, I’m one of THOSE Radiohead fans) but it’s a wonderful album and deserves your attention.
I’m not nominating it for my album of the year because, like I said earlier, I don’t feel like it’s the full album and that won’t be out until next year… maybe then it’ll get the Jon Black’s Album of the 2008 Nomination.
Here’s my advice for this record: Don’t pay for the downloads unless you want to buy the album twice. Go visit your local record store when the FULL ALBUM releases and pick it up then. I choose you Laser’s Edge! You know the art work is going to be amazing.
For extra reading that will anger Radiohead fans go read what Bob Lefsetz has to say.
3 Comments
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
Thank you.
I am pretty much in Durst-agreeance with you: “Videotapes” is the song that is stuck in a loop in my head at the moment. As with the other R’head records, it will ultimately be replaced again and again and then again by other songs the more I listen. I downloaded it the night before I got that Lefsetz letter - about 6 hours before - so I wasn’t too happy, but hey.
Gotta say that I am not really that rabid to hear the additional stuff though, as to me these 10 songs sound really complete as an album. Especially the more I hear the lyrics. I can live with it.
Can I step out on a limb and say that despite my love for local record stores, I don’t like physical CD’s anymore, so I got the digitals. I’m just saying. I buy digital now. . .
Do you hate me?
I think I’m going to do a post on that….