Review Summary: Mesmerizing....
I have no memories of staying up and grabbing bits of
Kid A and
Ok, Computer on my ***ty Internet dial-up connection. No memories of hearing “Creep” on the radio and being blown away when I first heard it, which is probably due to the fact that I was not even born when
Pablo Honey came out and not even 1 when
The Bends came out. That being said, it’s also hard to judge the entire scope unto which was changed when an album such as
Ok, Computer revolutionized the scene. Everything is taken for granted, as if it’s always been and will be. Radiohead sounded faint on my mind, nothing special, just some old rock band I’d hear about every once in a while.
But then, I discovered them. I had heard whispers of the legends before, but I was in a Target store when the cover for
In Rainbows piqued my interest only a week or two ago, and my dad bought it since he was wondering what Radiohead had been up to after “Creep” sort of vanished from the radio. Putting it in the giant living room stereo CD player and just laying on the couch and listening has been a liberating experience in such a weird, weird way.
To put it simply, it’s a fascinating album, but I’d suppose that’s what Radiohead is all about. You progress from various stages, like it’s a dream. First comes the action, and then comes the dream itself, in sort of a reverse order. You don’t remember specific parts of your dream, except that it was exhilarating. Only this time, Radiohead controls it, but they know what they’re doing while not being domineering and give you a dream with time running by like you’ve been there all day. With lush guitars, gorgeous strings, smooth vocals, albeit a bit depressing, and command, they do what they do very well. With songs such as “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” and “15 Step”, it becomes more upbeat, and more enticing. However, enticing as it is, there are no hooks and/or truly memorable shower songs. But it’s entrancing to such a point where you don’t even mind, as the experience whisks you away to another place.
The songs are filled with (mostly) upbeat instrumentals, with the lyrics even being dream like. "15 Step" hints at shell of shattered person with "How come I end up where I started?/How can I end up where I went wrong?", with
the technobeat sounding scrambled up as well. "Bodysnatchers" follows in suit, but instead with an electric guitar that works with the vocals in an agitated mood. But then the so called "action" stops, with "Nude" falling into more of a serene tone and depressing lyrics. The more calming music continues through the rest of the album, with more uplifting lyrics on songs such as "All I Need" and "Reckoner", depressing on "House of Cards", and just plain weird on "Faust Arp". Radiohead experiments with a wide variety of vocals and succeeds on virtually every front.
The door to Circe’s palace opens, and you are welcomed in heartily. Even though there’s a strange aura radiating around, you still venture in. It’s too nice a place. The food and drink are delicious, with many temptations thrown at you. Even with original ideas and goals, they are forgotten. You are your own captive, with the cage provided by Radiohead. The time flies by, memories of home forgotten and no desire to return to the real world.
Welcome to
In Rainbows by Radiohead.
