Radiohead's hiatus over
Blake Montgomery
Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Radiohead's latest album, "In Rainbows," certainly cleared up any doubt that the band can still produce tasteful, energetic, and invigorating songs after being on hiatus for so long. Not to say that people weren't anticipating more ingenious chaos. But how could Radiohead possibly deflate an ever-growing critique that they were constantly trying to out due themselves?
While not exactly on the "Ok Computer" or "Kid A" creative pedestal, "Rainbows" solidifies what the band does best: continuing to push the envelope on modern rock songwriting and giving birth to interesting and clever repertoires. With "Rainbows," we aren't given the obscure kind of musical passion found in any latter albums but a more unambitious simple album that, still holding true to their nature, sends off a more uncomplicated splendor and a much more chilled vibe. The expectation was met with an album that gave life to the 90's Radiohead that the masses had grown so strongly in love with. Thom Yorke leaves behind his experimental influence, letting Phil Selway's and Colin Greenwood's rhythms and Ed O'Bryan's guitar work stick out. It's nice to hear that "band" sound again. Songs such as "All I Need" and "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" offer such generosity.
Breaking off from their major label contract this past year, they released "In Rainbows" exclusively online for which customers could pay what they feel. For a band to be at the zenith of their career, yet control the strings of the mainstream marionette, sends out a bold message that they aren't out to change the world commercially but to write amazing songs that manage to impact the modern rock audiences…and somehow the world.
In short, "In Rainbows" is one of the best albums of the year and shouldn't go unheard. Even if you are not the biggest Radiohead fan around this is definitely a move in the right step for today's market.
While not exactly on the "Ok Computer" or "Kid A" creative pedestal, "Rainbows" solidifies what the band does best: continuing to push the envelope on modern rock songwriting and giving birth to interesting and clever repertoires. With "Rainbows," we aren't given the obscure kind of musical passion found in any latter albums but a more unambitious simple album that, still holding true to their nature, sends off a more uncomplicated splendor and a much more chilled vibe. The expectation was met with an album that gave life to the 90's Radiohead that the masses had grown so strongly in love with. Thom Yorke leaves behind his experimental influence, letting Phil Selway's and Colin Greenwood's rhythms and Ed O'Bryan's guitar work stick out. It's nice to hear that "band" sound again. Songs such as "All I Need" and "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" offer such generosity.
Breaking off from their major label contract this past year, they released "In Rainbows" exclusively online for which customers could pay what they feel. For a band to be at the zenith of their career, yet control the strings of the mainstream marionette, sends out a bold message that they aren't out to change the world commercially but to write amazing songs that manage to impact the modern rock audiences…and somehow the world.
In short, "In Rainbows" is one of the best albums of the year and shouldn't go unheard. Even if you are not the biggest Radiohead fan around this is definitely a move in the right step for today's market.
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