2008 Woodie Awards
CD Review: In Rainbows
Andrew Beam
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: FUSE
Originally published: 10/18/07 at 10:29 PM EST
Last update: 10/18/07 at 10:27 PM EST
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Radiohead made a very interesting choice when it came to releasing their latest work of art to the world - they released it online.
Though the band has said otherwise, this is being seen as one of the biggest "Screw You's" to the music industry in a long time. When Radiohead's contract was up with EMI after their 2003 release of "Hail to the Thief," the band decided neither to renew it nor sign to another label.
In order to get their music out there, they released their 10-track album, "In Rainbows," online, letting fans pay as much as they wanted to. Sure, this sounds too good to be true, but at inrainbows.com, the band assures you several times, "No, it's really up to you."
Honestly, this album is worth every penny you think it deserves. Though it does not match up to earlier efforts such as "Kid A" or "OK Computer," it's nothing short of genius. The album opens up with "15 Steps," a song that gets you on the dance floor immediately. The electronic beats, created by the modular synthesizer, flowing into the up tempo beat laid out by Phil Selway. Thom Yorke's voice is seemingly filled with more confidence, most likely thanks to his solo record "Eraser," released in July 2006, being able to lift his voice to several levels. You can picture his head viciously swaying back and forth while singing, "How come I end up where I started/ how come I end up where I went wrong/ won't take my eyes off the ball again/ you reel me out when you cut the string."
His lyrics, even though his voice sometimes misleads, are usually very melodramatic but are skillfully crafted to avoid sounding whiny.
"Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" has a fast paced tempo but a very calming mood. The guitars are delicately played through a clean tone. The line is continuous until it is left with just the drum beat and the fast-paced bass line, making the end of the track trance-like.
Radiohead takes a more poppy approach with the song "Bodysnatchers," with a heavily distorted bass performed by Colin Greenwood. Yorke is nearly screaming as he sings over the squelching guitar lines.
Though the band has said otherwise, this is being seen as one of the biggest "Screw You's" to the music industry in a long time. When Radiohead's contract was up with EMI after their 2003 release of "Hail to the Thief," the band decided neither to renew it nor sign to another label.
In order to get their music out there, they released their 10-track album, "In Rainbows," online, letting fans pay as much as they wanted to. Sure, this sounds too good to be true, but at inrainbows.com, the band assures you several times, "No, it's really up to you."
Honestly, this album is worth every penny you think it deserves. Though it does not match up to earlier efforts such as "Kid A" or "OK Computer," it's nothing short of genius. The album opens up with "15 Steps," a song that gets you on the dance floor immediately. The electronic beats, created by the modular synthesizer, flowing into the up tempo beat laid out by Phil Selway. Thom Yorke's voice is seemingly filled with more confidence, most likely thanks to his solo record "Eraser," released in July 2006, being able to lift his voice to several levels. You can picture his head viciously swaying back and forth while singing, "How come I end up where I started/ how come I end up where I went wrong/ won't take my eyes off the ball again/ you reel me out when you cut the string."
His lyrics, even though his voice sometimes misleads, are usually very melodramatic but are skillfully crafted to avoid sounding whiny.
"Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" has a fast paced tempo but a very calming mood. The guitars are delicately played through a clean tone. The line is continuous until it is left with just the drum beat and the fast-paced bass line, making the end of the track trance-like.
Radiohead takes a more poppy approach with the song "Bodysnatchers," with a heavily distorted bass performed by Colin Greenwood. Yorke is nearly screaming as he sings over the squelching guitar lines.
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