Radiohead
In Rainbows

THE REVIEW

October 10, 2007, a date to mark on the calendar, not only because a new album by one of the most important bands of our time is released, but especially because a true turning point in the musical sphere is being created today. Major record labels, beware, because the Radiohead, yes, them again, have decided not only to separate from the powerful EMI label but to do everything on their own. And so, a few days ago, a shocking news item appeared on their blog, leaving fans worldwide stunned and at the same time overjoyed: "In Rainbows" (the title of their new album) will be available for download starting October 10 at the price of..., well, the novelty is that you decide the price. It’s not a joke, but rather a targeted commercial choice, aimed once again at surprising, but also at stirring the waters in a music scene that is increasingly stagnant, repetitive, lacking significant innovations that signal for better or worse a leap towards originality, be it a commercial gimmick, the choice of an innovative sound, or the use of new equipment.

The Radiohead are all this. Beyond the above-described gimmick, they are one of the few groups that, at the release of a new album, manage to make people talk about them, for good or bad, it doesn’t matter; we want people who make us debate, who do something new, who give us vivid emotions, because we are tired of the same old washed-out laundry in the same dirty water.
For heaven’s sake, the "do-it-yourself" download concept has its flaws too: the download is limited to only 10 tracks and the box set containing 2 CDs and related vinyls is only available online and at the price of 60 euros. So for the tangible version of the CD, we’ll probably have to wait for the new year. Needless to say, behind all this lies obviously the intention to incite amazement and therefore interest from the public, which in dollar terms means higher earnings. We have no doubt that only a band with a vast user base, like the Radiohead, could afford such a choice.

That said, I believe that "In Rainbows" deserves more than some discussion, not only because it's a Radiohead CD, but also because it contains really beautiful tracks seasoned undoubtedly by some missteps, as is the tradition of the best families.
The final result is made in Tom Yorke, perhaps more than ever this time, maybe even too much. The feeling is that the Radiohead are increasingly becoming a product of their leader, his ghosts, his visions, and his genius. If "Pablo Honey" and "The Bends" were the CDs of homogeneity, perfection of sound, the search for the song form in its purest state (although always in Radiohead language), it was already with "Ok Computer" that a turning point became evident in their music, increasingly aimed at exploring new frontiers and spaces. Over time, their sound has become more refined, inclined towards electronics, with driving, repetitive, alienating rhythms, like the ghosts that haunt their songs.

"In Rainbows" is no less and alternates splendidly dreamy, dreamy tracks with short, sharp, almost cold ones in their perfection, which seem to come out of a toaster or an electronic blender. Perhaps it's precisely these latter ones that mark the group's ever-growing propensity from Oxford towards their leader's desire for experimentation.
A glaring example is the opening track "15 Step": strictly electronic drums, slightly whispered guitar with a beguiling beat, the kind that get into your brain.
It continues with Bodysnatchers, a lot of noise, among the more rock tracks on the album, and reaches the gem of the album: "Nude." Here we are on the wave of "Ok computer" but also the recent "Kid A" (the track brings us back to Motion Picture Soundtrack), dreamy atmosphere, Tom Yorke at uniquely expressive levels, certainly one of the most melancholic and emotional tracks of the entire album; goosebumps.
Immediately after "Nude" we have a second gem, "Arpeggi", which, as the name suggests, is a track based on a guitar arpeggio, repeated throughout the first part of the track. Refined sound and conveys a sense of pleasant unease.

"All I Need" is a track with a very dark sound, but also not very expressive, a product of the latest Radiohead's electronic vein; the first misstep. The following track "Faust Arp" is instead noteworthy: voice, guitar, and strings for just under two minutes of song that, however, concentrates all of Yorke's expressiveness. "Reckoner", the subsequent track, is another little gem, though it seems to lack that extra something to really take off. Indeed, throughout the album, there is the desire to confirm what has been done so far, more than to astonish. Still, a very appreciable track, among the best. We then reach "House of Cards", a somewhat difficult track, almost minimal I would say, very beautiful though in its final unfolding: refined.
"Jigsaw Falling Into Place" is instead a worthy heir of "Amnesiac," a driving, alienating track, this too gets amiably into your brain and, in my opinion, represents one of the most successful tracks of the album, as well as perhaps the only track extractable as a single.

The last piece is represented by "Videotape". Radiohead have always had a good tradition with closing tracks of their albums (see A wolf at the door). This track is beautiful: finally, Tom tackles the piano and it was time because the best things from Radiohead often and willingly come from the fingers of their leader when he plays the piano. Pure melancholy, also a goosebumps song. Furthermore, the addition of a background noise, very similar to that of train tracks, perfectly conveys the feeling of anguish that emerges from listening to the track.

The final judgment on "In Rainbows" is very positive, even if the expectations for this album were enormous and therefore a bit of disappointment in certain aspects is physiological. Ok Computer was and will remain an unmatchable masterpiece, but the Radiohead know and want to continue to surprise, unwaveringly continuing their evolutionary path. In this sense, we can certainly consider "In Rainbows" to be a fitting piece of their journey.