Radiohead
In Rainbows
****
Nobody
could have avoided the swirling hype storm kicked up by the new
Radiohead record. One thing that Radiohead know how to do is kick
up a fuss, not since the Stone Roses Second Coming or
Oasis’s Be Here Now has there been such a media-furore
for a new release.
In Rainbows is the summation of all Radiohead’s
past explorations in sound, the logical culmination of the meandering
experimentation of their last three offerings paired with the
melodic sensibilities of their biggest ‘hits’.
Still, despite it sounding like a Radiohead record, Oxford’s
finest have again managed to bring a fresh sound to their repertoire
- this is Radiohead getting their groove on. Where 2003’s
Hail To The Thief was bursting with dark politicised
aggression, In Rainbows has a more soulful air.
Whilst they are still embracing electronic techniques they are
moving back to the organic warmth of live instrumentation - they
definitely don’t hate guitars any more. Thom Yorke’s
lyrics still ooze paranoia but have a far more optimistic tone
throughout.
Opener ‘15 Step’ kicks in with clattering, hissing
electronic beats offset by funky live drumming and a beautifully
picked guitar line giving the whole affair an irrepressible pop
lilt. Yorke’s vocal delivery is one of his warmest and most
conventional in some time and is a joy to behold. The band’s
default ‘strangeness’ setting is still in place as
the track is punctuated by child’s shouts and eerie, otherworldly
pulses.
Much of the album is decidedly upbeat - ‘Bodysnatchers’
is a fuzzed up rock number, based around a frantic rock sparring
between Johnny Greenwood and Ed O’Brien with funky beats
and lush walls of sound. It will keep fans of Bends-era
‘head happy.
‘Weird Fishes Arpeggi’ is a relaxed, yet upbeat folky
number which veers into experimental territory and moves into
the haunting and beautiful ‘All I Need’ (a dark ode
to love, that seems lyrically uncharacteristic for Yorke), it
sounds reassuringly classic but weirdly futuristic at the same
time. The tracks end echoes the bands debt to friends Sigur Ros
on recent releases.
‘Faust Arp’ is spine-tingling, tear-inducing wonderfulness
and Yorke’s astonishing vocals weave in and out of a picked
acoustic guitar and a soaring orchestral arrangement.
Each and every tune is a mini work of art and the whole affair
is full-stopped by minimalist piano-track ‘Videotape’
leaving the listener gasping for more.
Radiohead transcend style, genre and fashion; existing in a world
where they can only really be compared to themselves. By their
standards In Rainbows is a four-star release but by everyone
else’s it gets a five - such is the power of this band.
by Chris Marks
