Radiohead - In Rainbows
Hello everyone, welcome back to my blog. Today, I will be reviewing Radiohead's seventh studio album, In Rainbows. After being released from their record label after their six album contract, Radiohead decided to go solo and release their next album themselves, as a pay-what-you-want, which would become the groundwork for sites like Bandcamp. So let's see how this album sounds.
Right off the bat, full of energy, we start with 15 Step. The drums are clean and punchy, the guitar is hard panned to the left ear, which creates a very odd atmosphere. The whole song sounds so joyful and full of life, at least for Radiohead standards.
Next we have Bodysnatchers, the most energetic song on this album. The guitars are heavily distorted and create a wall of sound that Thom and the rest of the instruments barely manage to pierce through. Another great song.
But then, immediately contrasting with the previous track, we find Nude. The verse mainly consist of just Thom's vocals, light drumming, Colin's bass and a pinch of guitar. It sounds so blissful, as if we're in our own world. Noise does not pierce through our little bubble. But then, we hear the track grow in tension, as strings are brought in... and then... goosebumps. That's all I can say. The song turns into this beautiful mix of vocals and smooth sounds.
Next we have Weird Fishes/Arpeggi. We open on multiple layered guitar plucks, surrounding us. Thom comes in with the vocals, and towards the middle, we start hearing a distorted electric guitar, though very quiet. We start hearing more and more strings. And then, we return to a state of calm, as synth pads fill the soundscape, but not before one more rock breakdown, accompanied by some beautiful strings.
All I Need starts quiet, with not much more than a growling synth bass and some drumming, but towards the end it spirals into a deep crescendo, filled with strings, ride cymbals and guitars.
Faust Arp is the shortest song on here, however it's still amazing. It features a cello accompanying an acoustic guitar and Thom's vocals.
Reckoner is more of the same amazing gentle rock. We also find a piano on here, which adds to this track's ethereal sound. Thom's vocals sound very echoey and full of colour.
House Of Cards is one of the calmer songs on here, yet it sounds the most dreamy. Everything is drenched in reverb, and it sounds so serene, all of it being held together by the bass and guitar.
Next we have the most energetic song on here, Jigsaw Falling Into Place. It's full of colour and life. It also features one of Thom's deepest vocal deliveries. Slowly, the track starts getting more and more crowded and fuzzy, as we hit the chorus. The whole song is full of spirit.
And then, we close with mournful Videotape. Nothing much to say here, the song speaks for itself. The clean piano, the vocals, they end the album on a bitter sweet note.
Beautiful, this whole album is beautiful. In fact, it's my favourite Radiohead album.
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