Radiohead’s In Rainbows: A Real Album or Something Else?
I love the Radiohead — not as much as I used to, but I do. If you thought my Guster writings bordered on “get a room,” you should have seen my pursuit of Radiohead circa 1998-99. It ranged somewhere between obsession and stalker; something not lost on my fellow editors at our campus newspaper. I was still on the bandwagon when Kid A was released shortly after I graduated college. Those feelings began to fade by them time Amnesiac was released. I still jumped on Hail to The Thief when it was released, but new objects of my affection had emerged.
In Rainbows, the band’s sort of new album, was sort of released today and I legally obtained it via download today. It’s being offered at a price I can afford in a format I dislike — MP3 @ 160 kbps — as well as a deluxe CD/DVD box set deluxe edition that is way beyond my means at the moment. I’m pretty sure this would all feel a little anti-climatic, even if it was happening back in my Radiohead fanboy days. Digital bits transferred over fiberoptic cables just isn’t as exciting or as much fun as handing a cashier a wad of assy, sweat-soaked bills in exchange for a compact disc filled with the possiblity of glorious sounds and life-affecting ideas.
I’ve listened to the album and can’t quite tell if this was their serious effort to follow up Hail to The Thief or if it’s a clearinghouse of odds and sods. It’s not that the music is bad- it’s not. The magic just doesn’t seem to be there.
Maybe it’s because Radiohead and I have drifted apart. Maybe I needed something more than a download to deliver me from the doldrums of my day. Maybe I just haven’t listened enough yet. I didn’t pay much for the record and the verdict’s out on whether or not I got my money’s worth.
Filed under: Tags: Musical Musings and Random Ramblings, Radiohead
I’m already feeling my mood shifting and as a result my opinion of the album is improving. To the extent one wants to compare it to their other albums, it’s not as good as Radiohead at their best but there are still some interesting moments.
“All I Need” has emerged as my first favorite song from the set.
I think it’s a great album. I’m really glad to see the move back to more organic sounds after so long. I’m not letting my now well-known disdain for the format and delivery choice affect how I feel about the music. It’ll be getting a lot of listening. Like you, I have no idea where to place it yet among their others, but, excitement aside, I feel pretty it’s pretty strong, even this early on. (I’ll go on record saying that I think Hail is actually one of their best, so take that for what it means to you.)
so where’s the dividing line? after OK, things become “less organic”?
i’m the opposite of josh…because a fan with the “weirder” records.
My theory with all RH albums is that it takes about 5-10 listens before I can really pass judgment on it. The music is usually very dense or layered, or it just isn’t easy to interpret the vibe or theme that Yorke projects with his lyrics. So far, I’m at 3 listens, and still absorbing the tunes.
And if you’re really that upset over the 160kbps, Josh, I’ll rip you some 192’s when the hard copy arrives in December.
I don’t get Radiohead. Does this make me an idiot? I think they are too smart for me, and I feel funny about that. I’d rather hear Duran Duran’s ‘Electric Barbarella’ than that ‘I’m a creep/I’m a widower’ song.
i hear the music someday. i’ve tried twice and the site kept locking up on me. not so brilliant for a supposed bunch of super-geniuses.
i’ll wait for the disc.
It wasn’t the weird that caused me to move on, it was just the timing of it all. Besides, Hail isn’t all that “weird.” Kid A is a close 2nd behind OK Computer on my list.
I think Sahm’s right about needing to hear it a few times to make any definitive judgments. This was all just my first sketch. I admitted I probably hadn’t listened enough. I really wanted mostly to talk about the delivery method. The music discussion is coming soon.
What makes you an idiot, 11, is “Electric Barbarella.” Look past the smugness of most of us Radiohead fans. A lot of their music isn’t built for widespread, mainstream acceptance. It’s cool if it’s not for you, but please put down that particular Duran Duran record.
11: “I’m a widower”? No wonder you don’t get it. :o)
I once read a bad review of HTTT in Playboy (yes, I was reading the articles). The funny thing was that the reviewer made a snide remark about lyrics, and quoted incorrectly that Yorke said ‘penetration’, when he was really saying ‘paying attention’.
Sometimes you hear what you want to hear.
I love the “you have not been paying attention” rant/lecture bit from “2 +2 = 5.” It’s just great. They lyrics are fuckin’ printed in the liner notes for that album. How are you going to misquote that? Someone must think no one reads the articles in that mag!
gee, neither me nor 11 “get” Radiohead and somehow you still associate with us.
amazing.
It’s a question I ponder daily.
“I get where Radiohead is not necessarily for everybody,” he said in a smug, superior tone.
Saleski, there are probably a couple hundred bands that you get and no one does, so it’s all even in the scheme of things.
‘Dim the lights, Electric Barbarella …’
m. sahm hits the nail on the head, EXCEPT that there isn’ t usually a backlash for not getting those band. with Radiohead, the reaction is always closer to “WHAT?!!!!….”
hey, lookee here kids an Electric Barbarella wiki page!!
Saleski, I don’t what you’re talking about— I always react with a ‘What?’ when some smartass twentysomething doesn’t get King Crimson or Pat Metheny. Heh heh…
But I will confess something sacreligious for all you fanboys… I don’t for the life of me “get” all of the hype over Bruce Springsteen. And I was born and raised in South Jersey. But as they say, different strokes…
you are a broken person, mr. sahm.
That might the most backhanded compliment I have ever been given.
I’m listening to it again today. I’ve discovered sometimes the best thing to do is listen a couple times, take a step back, and then come at it again. It’s served me well innumerable times. In fact, I did it with Springsteen’s Magic and I discovered something: I still fuckin’ love that record. I listened to it for a solid week, took a few days from it and let it sit, and I still think it’s great.
I’m listening to “15 Step” right now. I’m glad I left myself an opening. I do think I’m going to like this record. I’d like it more in a lossless format that fully presented the glory of these sounds, but now I’m just being a dick (like that’s never happened before).
Plastic kiss, Electric Barbarella
Try to resist
Then we touch
Hallucinate and tranquilize