Radiohead: In Rainbows

We are really going back in time for this one. Radiohead's In Rainbows was first released as a download in 2007 by the band itself in a kind of pay-what-you-want setup. Whether this means that the album could technically be taken for free or whether there was a minimum amount, I do not know. I can't imagine being able to get one of my now-favorite albums for no cost whatsoever. The album was later released as a physical copy through an actual publisher. I can only assume that this was the result of some sort of feud between the band and publisher. 

This is my first album review, and the setup here is going to be a little different. I believe that each song on an album deserves to be judged as a stand-alone piece of work. And so that's what we'll be doing here. In numerical order from 1 to X, I'll share my thoughts on each individual song. 

Track 1: 15 Step - This is a great start to the album. Some nice, juicy bass and blood-pumping drum machine. It creates a nice environment for you to simply let your mind wander and just kind of melt into the noise.

Track 2: Bodysnatchers - Maybe its simply the fact that it comes right after such a nice opening, but this is the one track that I often forget exists. It can get a tad annoying with the vocals, too.

Track 3: Nude - After the hectic noise of the track preceding Nude, it's softer flow and vocalizations are a welcome shift. A clear theme of lust and perversion.

Track 4: Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi - I love this one. The constant drumming as the song unfolds gives it such energy. This song is perfect for driving a long distance on a rainy day.

Track 5: All I Need - The muted harsh vibrations that introduce this song always make me want to shut my eyes and just absorb it all. The lyrics may seem a little creepy, but I find something very relatable about this song. A song about deep, heartbreaking devotion for someone who will never return your feelings.

Track 6: Faust Arp - Not my fave song. In fact I dont know what to say for it.

Track 7: Reckoner - Cymbals introduce you to this image of long-abandoned civilization. A cautionary tale of what will become of us. We live our lives unaware of the damage that we're doing to our planet and to each other. Life is short, work on what matters, forget the physical, you cant take it with you.

Track 8: House of Cards - To me, this song is about the fragility of a relationship. The suspicion and the guilt of cheating on your spouse. Denial. The moment where you forget about the house of cards and let it all fall apart because you realize that all is not okay and its probably not worth saving. And the denial. The unwillingness to believe it.

Track 9: Jigsaw Falling into Place - This is another song that I really seem to neglect. By the sound of it, it concerns a woman being chased by a man who will do her some kind of harm. And how this relates to jigsaws falling into place I do not understand.

Track 10: Videotape - No doubt one of my all-time favorite songs. Period. So many times I've sung this in the car and began to tear up. It is SO powerful to me. It is the realization that you have died and now face GOD. You are somehow trying to send a message to a loved one who is still alive, to no avail. You see your entire life playing in your mind before entering into heaven and you re-experience everything with this loved one whom you cannot reach. It's a song that gets to me no matter how often I hear it. One that affects me in a way that most songs never come close to. And it is a most bittersweet ending to this album.

In Rainbows is one of the albums that I will always keep on me for when I need to make a long trip. For when I need to reflect. It's a heck of a lot more personal than any of the other Radiohead albums that I am familiar with. I treasure this album like few others.

There's a lot of conspiracy theories concerning this album, but they are very lengthy and weird. I'll let you look them up yourself if you're interested, because this post has gotten enormous. I may have to reconsider my formatting for reviewing albums.

Spotify is a great way to listen to this, or any other album. If you don't have it downloaded already, do yourself a favor and do so HERE.