Initial Impression: "In Rainbows" Review

I remember falling in love with Radiohead's "OK Computer" a good two years after it came out, and wondering how it somehow made it through my (what I thought was impenetrable) alt-rock radar. I liked "the bends" and even most of "Pablo Honey." So, two years after it hit in the US, sometime in 1999, I first heard the album that has made it through 3 computers, 2 ipods, and one iPhone. As these are quite strong filtering mechanisms, I'm proud that it is still with me, and that I listen to it so frequently. One of those albums...  

Scrub forward a few more years, and I was unaware of any album that had been so hyped prior to "the next radiohead album."  There were all sorts of media stunts, listening parties, proto-indie kids crying in the corner, etc. welcoming back the saviors of rock and roll. The band's departure from guitar rock was not one I enjoyed. Thom Yorke's whine* (which I love), mind you sounds fantastic over a full band of huge rock.  Over thick bass and some crackles and beeps, I lose interest very fast.  Without disparaging the last three albums by radiohead, because I think some readers have so publicly and validly disagreed with my opinion that I think I Might Be Wrong (ha!), I'll give it a rest, and save it for another day.

The new album is great!  A keeper for sure, and when you get to buy it at whatever price you want, it seems like a good idea to get it now.  It varies from heavier electronic stuff ("15 Step") to much more mellow string arrangements ("Faust Arp"), and even tender protest ("House of Cards").

Thematically, they aren't doing anything remarkably different than the past.  Lyrically, you will find that it is still solid, socially aware, empathetic, and vituperative when the time is right. 

While I give this thing a few more listens, I'm going to try to recollect when/where I've heard more organic sounding electronics.  Right now, I can't recall when.  The production and instrumentation are spot on.  No attempts at sonic irony here, and I love how the vocals are raw and up front at times, and distant and reverberated at others.  I also applaud the departure from apocalypse/politics on more of the songs.  Instead of simply presenting strong images, we're getting relatable, strong images, which I presently prefer.

Well, that's my first shot at it.  Subject to change, etc. Let me know what you think.


*call it what you will, but its mostly an enervated whine, sometimes a growl, and sometimes some of the best falsetto around, falsetto nonetheless, however