Radiohead has done the unthinkable. In Rainbows, the band's seventh album, was released Oct. 10 via Internet download only. And the best/strangest part about this electronic release is the buyer picks the price for the new album. So what is it worth: $0, $.01, $5.88 or maybe $100?
In Rainbows has some great tracks like "15 Step," "Bodysnatchers" and "Arpeggi," but the album is mainly full of B-side worthy tracks. "Nude," "Faust ARP," "Reckoner," "House of Cards" and "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" will satisfy fans until a CD is released along with the second half of the album.
The first two tracks, "15 Step" and "Bodysnatchers," are instant classic Radiohead songs that launch a guitar heavy atomic bomb of music into the ear. The songs alternate between lead singer Thom Yorke's signature whine along with jagged guitar chords and a progressive rhythm by drummer Phil Selway. If "15 Step" is the initial combustion, "Bodysnatchers" is the thermal radiation.
After this headphone-exploding intro, Radiohead ruins the mood by transitioning into a boring sound with "Nude." Whatever hip swinging or head banging the first two tracks suggest gets washed into a chill out fest for most of the rest of the album. Even worse, production is noticeably lacking, even when compared with other minimalist Radiohead songs.
An ambient Radiohead song without heavy production of strange noises and bizarre samples is like imagining Little Richard without a mustache or the Beatles without Ringo. The concept just doesn't work.
This relatively reductive production reflects the recent music endeavors of lead guitarist Johnny Greenwood. Radiohead's axeman has been writing scores for films between 2003's Hail to the Thief and In Rainbows. Whether or not Greenwood thinks he's showing off his newfound talent, the atmospheric sound doesn't always translate well on In Rainbows.
Buried deep in this eight song slow set are two songs with flashes of greatness and the Radiohead of Kid A.
"Arpeggi" begins with a single guitar rhythm, but slowly the guitar rhythm layers and loops on top of itself again. At the 2:40 mark the song bursts with an orgasmic wall of sound.
The song piggybacks on the synthesizer bass head trip "All I Need." Sporting a very polished and tight sound, the mood builds into a climax much like that of "Arpeggi."
Radiohead doesn't tread any new ground with In Rainbows, but it gives listeners a taste of greatness and proof of its importance to the current music scene.