Radiohead : In Rainbows (electronic, drum, rock, single, album)

[mr dave]

i think it's the best thing they've put out since OK Computer. their experiments into electronic music were noble but they were also gimmicky by the fact that they sound dated and cliche now. i can't listen to either KidA or amnesiac without skipping a track or two.

i think with 'in rainbows' the band hit totally nailed the target that had been eluding them for the last decade. they didn't intersperse a bunch of moody ambient experiments amidst their pop tunes to give the impression of a more diverse style. they didn't strip it all away to return to the bends either. instead, with IR there's no clear distinction between styles, every song sounds like radiohead and that's it. there's no obvious leftover track from this album, or that one, or solo electronic pieces by yorke or greenwood.

i really think the band is finally hitting their stride now and i for one can't wait to see what they come out with next.

[dog]

in rainbows is their best album ever.

[ProggyMan]

Originally Posted by mr dave

i think it's the best thing they've put out since OK Computer. their experiments into electronic music were noble but they were also gimmicky by the fact that they sound dated and cliche now. i can't listen to either KidA or amnesiac without skipping a track or two..

Err, I don't really see how they were 'gimmicky'. Even if they did sound dated and cliche (Which they don't) that still wouldn't make them 'gimmicky'. They wanted to go in a new direction because they got bored with what they were doing. Amnesiac and Kid A weren't a gimmick.

[Farfisa]

Just got the album and I have to say.....its pretty darn good, Its well written like most of their other albums and its pretty catchy too.

[mr dave]

Originally Posted by ProggyMan

Err, I don't really see how they were 'gimmicky'. Even if they did sound dated and cliche (Which they don't) that still wouldn't make them 'gimmicky'. They wanted to go in a new direction because they got bored with what they were doing. Amnesiac and Kid A weren't a gimmick.

no way, the so called underground scene was tripping over itself for aphex twin and squarepusher back when radiohead decided they had to tap into it to maintain the allusion of 'integrity'. some of it almost works but most sounds forced. it's like yorke tries to emulate 'my red hot car' on 'Kid A' (the title track). that's why i think it sounds gimmicky to me, they're still obviously trying. treefingers sounds like a SAW2 leftover by name and substance.

with 'in rainbows' it sounds to me like they finally stopped giving a fek and trying to do 'something' and just did instead.

[iLoveBlood]

Originally Posted by RezZ

I have listened to this album maybe 2-3 times and still cannot bing myself to like it. I feel the same way about almost all of Radioheads music. They have some good singles now and then but overall just seem very boring and unexciting. There songs all seem very repetitive and extremely boring. I have tried on multiple occasions to give them a chance, listening to Ok Computer, Kid A and a few others, all of which i felt the same way.

Im sure i will be flamed madly for this, which all the Fanboys yelling you dont know what your talking about and there the last thing from boring... But to that i say nothing, because i can't, the music just sounds very dull and uneventful.

Edit: Another thing i can not stand about them, it there profound love for half acoustic half electronic drum tracks. I realize that is the style, but the mix of the two i feel does not mesh together well.

I couldn't agree more, I haven't LIKED a Radiohead album in years, Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief (while highly anticipated) did ultimately nothing for me.

In Rainbows is more of the same, even when it starts to rock it just makes me want to listen to The Bends.

IR gets a resounding MEH.

[ProggyMan]

Originally Posted by mr dave

no way, the so called underground scene was tripping over itself for aphex twin and squarepusher back when radiohead decided they had to tap into it to maintain the allusion of 'integrity'. some of it almost works but most sounds forced. it's like yorke tries to emulate 'my red hot car' on 'Kid A' (the title track). that's why i think it sounds gimmicky to me, they're still obviously trying. treefingers sounds like a SAW2 leftover by name and substance.

with 'in rainbows' it sounds to me like they finally stopped giving a fek and trying to do 'something' and just did instead.

they took the ideas they got from Warp Records and advanced, putting their own spin on things. I know they 'stole' their ideas, but it's not like they just copied Aphex Twin and left it at that.

[mr dave]

right but what i'm really getting at is that they finally stopped sounding like they were 'trying'.

[ProggyMan]

I see what you mean, I just don't think Kid A/Amnesiac were gimmicky.

[sleepy jack]

I couldn't really disagree more. While I like In Rainbows alot its just essentially a more accessible version of their discography which I guess appeals to the more straight-forward rock fans.