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Radiohead has been up and down for me through the years. Sometimes they're too intrinsic, sometimes I realize how influential and primal they've been to bands such as Coldplay, Sigur Ros, Keane and half the "British-alt" sound out there.
I started following them when "OK Computer" came out about 10 years ago. At the time, I saw them at the Greek Theatre and they mesmerized me. Then came "Kid A", "Amnesiac" and "Hail to the Thief" and I was off the bandwagon again.
Now comes "In Rainbow"....a CD (or I should say an MP3 download off their website for any $ amount) and all I can say is that I'm back on the bandwagon. Wow.
You know what I like about this album? It's accesability. This album has simple hooks, catchy intros and endings, while maintaining that Radiohead emo/atmospheric sound.
Take for example "Weird Fishes...." what a great guitar/drum/bass intro with the chord progression taking you places for 16 bars before the vocals come in. Wonderful. Then he sings "In the deepest ocean...." I love it.
"Nude" is an old song of theirs from what I hear, but what feeling as the strings, revolving synths and simple snare/hh/kick groove come in. Then the vocals come in with a haunting melody as the bass line kicks in. And something about going from a minor chord to a major chord in two measures that just works.
"Bodysnatchers" is just a great jam. Sounds like the old "U2" Vertigo/Pop/etc. which is a throwback to that 60's scratchy classic rock and roll sound, David Bowie and the Doors all wrapped into one.
"Faust Arp" sounds like a song from the 70's, like the "Mama's and the Papa's", but more haunting. "Reckoner" is awesome, I love that acoustic guitar lick with the "thrashy" snare, bell and tamborine sounds all creating a sort of gypsy-like feel, until the bridge comes in and it all quiets down to just vocals and guitar. Then back to the groove. This is probably my favorite track on the album.
"House of Cards" is a beautiful song, nice intro again with a layed back guitar progression and simple groove behind it. Great vocals, nice melody. "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" is a favorite as an acoustic guitar player. It has that major to minor chord thing again which is classic Radiohead and a tight groove behind it. "Videotape" is a piano/Coldplay type song which perfectly ends the evening.
The whole CD flows as one from track to track, it's a journey, a circular path, but still one to walk. A CD you want to listen to as a whole.
Overall, I enjoyed this album.
Have a great day.
Into the future,
davidT
