Radiohead is without question one of our generation’s seminal bands. From their 1993 debut Pablo Honey to In Rainbows in 2007, each release has garnered massive acclaim from critics and fans alike. Radiohead is so big they can purposefully not market themselves and still sell out arenas. Given the band’s tremendous track record, what makes In Rainbows so special then?

After leaving their record label, Radiohead did something stunning once again. In Rainbows was released online with no publicity, little fanfare, and, depending on how frugal listeners felt, for free. They recorded the album and uploaded it online themselves under the “pay what you want” ethos. You could literally visit the site, type in $0.00 and download the full-length without issue. And somehow, between fans who overpaid and those who paid nothing, without labels, a DIY album, and no hard copies, Radiohead made more off this album than their previous one. The album was then released in physical form on New Year’s Day 2008. It came in a sort of envelope and included the cd, of course, but also a simple booklet and the makings of a standard jewel case if you wanted to make it into one. I bought it that day.

I have to admit that I am not a big Radiohead fan. There is just something about In Rainbows. Less experimental and slightly heavy on the synth, it sounds unique within the band’s catalog. It’s also surprisingly danceable and sports less nebulous lyrics which I realize are not a major selling points to most Radiohead enthusiasts. But the music itself is incredible. Even mind-blowing at times. From the first scratched notes of ’15 Steps’ to the piano-based ballad ‘Videotape’, this album mesmerizes with its intricacies and depth. It perpetually builds and falls, layers sound over sound, making piano and drum machine sound like they should always be played together. The songs are always engaging, and Yorke’s vocals — ranging from low and quasi-incomprehensible to distinct and relaxed — match that standard every step of the way; a difficult feat to say the least.

Between the magnificent opener and closer lies the driving ‘Bodysnatchers’ which embodies the psychedelic qualities of the decade its horror movie name references. The very Radiohead-esque ‘Nude’ follows with simple cymbal work and that unshakable falsetto. Lovely deep string work on the love song ‘All I Need’ suits the lyrics perfectly while the electronic instrumentation that takes over breathlessly illustrates Radiohead’s genius, working effectively even on a more direct entry. ‘Faust Arp’ displays a truly softer side with soft vocals and string work that ebbs and flows with the tension of the song. Then there’s ‘Reckoner’, which I always imagine being performed with someone spending the whole song concentrating very hard so as not to mess up the rhythm of the tambourine. It’s ethereal, yet tight, and focused. Muddled lyrics mix with subtle percussion work, simple strings, and one very precise tambourine to make a bedded masterpiece that would probably be a complete mess in anyone else’s hands.

Two game-name-themed songs (‘House Of Cards’, ‘Jigsaw Falling Into Place’) fill out the album both with slightly clearer musical structures and direct lyrics. They bridge the gap between the beginning, middle, and end of the album, bringing the beat up slightly and referring back to the fast-paced opener, but with complete control of the gas pedal. This allows the hushed closer “Videotape’ to bring the album to a well-suited conclusion as Yorke intimates “No matter what happens now/You shouldn’t be afraid/Because I know/Today has been the most perfect day I have ever seen”.

At the end of the day, there really is something for everyone here as this is truly an album in the best sense of the word; the organization of the songs allows the ambiance of the music to work its magic and envelop us, something I gather this 5-piece is never too shabby in achieving. To be blunt, In Rainbows is simply very impressive. It blends the experimental and obscure with a quality that allows even those less musically or experimentally inclined to still fall in love with each and every song. For a record initially released in a manner through which only die-hards should have devoured it, In Rainbows managed to appeal to listeners far beyond the band’s core audience and constitutes one of the band’s most successful outings. It proves once more that while Radiohead may not opt for the straightest route, the journey itself is consistently and thoroughly engaging.

Krista Jamieson

Honorable Mentions (Part 1)
Honorable Mentions (Part 2)
#50-41
#40-31
#30-21
#20-11
#9 / #8 / #7 / #6 / #5 / #4 / #3 / #2 / #1