Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Pop

Music Reviews of Modern Rock, Folk, Alternative, Pop

Radiohead — In Rainbows Buy it at Amazon

Buy it from InSound

Radiohead got sick of hearing about how they weren’t on iTunes and the whispers that made some of the creeps (no pun intended) on the Internet whine that they were in it for the money. So they released their seventh studio masterpiece, “In Rainbows” in two formats, one a completely DRM-free download that costs as much as you’re willing to pay, and a deluxe boxed version that includes a double vinyl disc, a booklet, two CDs, and eight bonus tracks that comes out in time for the holidays. Many are clamoring and calling this approach, the “anti-marketing” technique, and a way to declare all-out war on the music industry. But they’re more focused on the fact that the album was fast-tracked—being released a mere three months after final touches on the mixing and mastering were completed—rather than what I find more compelling—the DRM-free download that allows you to decide how much to pay for it. “15 Step” opens up the album laden with beats both organic and electronic with odd soundscapes whirling about—are those clapping children, you’ll ask. “Bodysnatchers” is more focused on light guitar whispers. Long time producer Nigel Godrich once again mines gold out of these gorgeous tunes that bask in mellow Thom Yorke wails. And while I always hear one or two songs that even sublimely scream “single”, I don’t think that I can honestly say I hear a track that is pop-worthy enough to be heard on mainstream radio. But what I do hear, is beautiful music to my ears. Ah, basking in a new Radiohead album is heavenly…

- J-Sin

Technorati tags: Radiohead, In Rainbows, rock, art+rock, CD Review, music, review

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