Incoherent First Impressions of "In Rainbows":

Like any civilized human being, I spent my Wednesday, October 10 2007, checking my inbox for a download link. Thank goodness that expensive disc box comes with a download as well.

It was late Wednesday night that I barged into my dear brother's bedroom, woke him up and brutally demanded to know what had been done with the iPod USB wire he'd borrowed from me. Poor, groggy 15 year old:

-"Where's my iPod wire??"
-"I'm trying to sleep, you dick! Can't it wait till tomorrow?"
-"No. Find it now."
-"Go away. Let me sleep."
-"I let you borrow the wire; I need it now. Where is it? Give it to me."
[It was found in the narrow, elusive space in between the bed and wall.]

I desparately needed said wire in order to put said Radiohead album on my iPod. No, it can't wait, you adolescent cock-squirrel.

About 10:30 on Thursday morning, I'm sitting in a white-washed, sterile school library. I slip on my beautiful, noise-cancelling BOSE headphones. I begin "In Rainbows". I begin to believe Josh's assertion that this record is more church than music.

Really, I haven't been a slithery Radiohead fanboy since 2003. I remember listening to the leak of "Hail to the Thief" at VH1's website the week prior to its release. I remember blasting "There, There" over and over again, letting the last two minutes send my body into violent convulsions. I remember seeing the group live 10/10/03 (pure coincidence) and smelling Jesus when they played "Talk Show Host" (best Radiohead b-side ever, by the way). Suddenly, Thursday morning, white-washed library, Radiohead comes back into my life. And I cum back into theirs.

Anyway, I slip on my beautiful, noise-cancelling BOSE headphonse and I'm greeted with a stuttering 5/4 techo beat, accompanied by Yorke's unmistakeable moan: "How come I end up where I started?" [Sidenote: I realize that many of the tracks on this album were debuted live over the past few years, but I refrained from listening to any of the recordings. Partially because I was distracted with other music. Partially because, unless I'm at the concert, I don't like my first impressions to be shitty live recordings. I'd rather wait and hear the song in the context of the album. So it was my first time hearing all these songs.]

I do maintain that "15 Step" is among the most breathtaking album-openers in recent memory. The live drum track that joins the stuttering electronic rhythm, the jazzy guitar floating around the left channel... it's a subtle build-up, an ingenius mechanism. I love it.

The song builds to a groovy, tuneful spiral. "Used to be alright. What happened? Etc, etc, etc. Fast forward...", sings Yorke. Somewhere in between, there's a fantastic bass riff, a bizarre child-like cheer and a delicious echo effect. As I said, the song is breathtaking.

Anyway, I don't intend this to be a formal review of the album. I'm not capable of that, I don't have the attention span right now, I've only listened to the album four times, I don't even "understand" the goddamn thing. I'd just like to record my thoughts in the present time...

Over all, the album rejects the unpredictable variety of "Hail to the Thief", simultaneously moving past the detached atmosphere of "Kid A" and "Amnesiac" in favor of a warmer, reverb-laden environment. Orchestral keyboards and clean guitars exist in pools of haunting melody. Somehow, it seems their warmest and most soulful album in years. The entire mid-section seems to blend together a bit compared to the incredible opening and close.

Thoughts on songs:

"Bodysnatchers" is the only true rock song present, immediately bringing to mind the fuzzy overdrive of "Myxomatosis". The guitar riff is filthy, the entire groove is spastic and delicious. "I have no idea what I am talking about!" Yells Yorke atop the chaos. "Blaggg blaggg blagggg!! Balgggg balggg blagg!" Squeals Greenwood's guitar in response. The acoustic guitar begins a more melodic chorus at about the 2 minute mark. I dig.

"Nude" is absolutely gorgeous. That opening sounds like a tape played backwards on heaven. The clouds drift apart, revealing a minimal bass line and waltzy drum track. "Don't get any... big ideas." There's something syrupy and echoey and beautiful about Thom's vocals throughout the album. This song immediately struck me as beautiful and devastating.

"Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" is driving, guitar-driven, straightforward. Guitar sounds somewhere in between U2 and "The Argument"-period Fugazi. I like the return of live drums (throughout most of the album, not just this song). It's lovely; I enjoy the build towards musical climax. I love the moaning background vocals. I delightful song to get lost in.

"All I Need" marries a hip hop beat with a foreboding bass line and more groaning synths that immediately scream, "Godrich!" "I'm an animal trapped in your hot car." Extremely noisy ending.

At this time, "Faust Arp" is one of if not the only track on "In Rainbows" that hasn't quite grabbed me yet. It's easily the most simply, mostly driven by an acoustic guitar and immediately reminiscent of "I Will". The strings are a stimulating touch. A fine song by most accounts, just doesn't add much to the album.

I love the double drum intro "Reckonher". The reverb-heavy drums blast out of the speakers with a slight motown tinge, sounding decidedly un-Radiohead-like. The minimal clean guitar returns, along with a hauntingly lovely falsetto from Thom. An undeniably soulful song over all, melodic and tuneful. At the 4:06 mark, you will hear a lovely moaning vocal and an orgasmic drum fill. I like music. Do you?

"House of Cars" fits the same mood as the three songs before it. Thom Yorke announced he doesn't want to be your friend; he wants to be your lover. Oh, you sly bastard! Another spacy, melodic track that hasn't quite grabbed me by the balls yet.

"Jigsaw Falling Into Place" is utterly wonderful, led by a relentless refrain of "Hmmm mmm mmmm". Crash Test Dummies, take note. The background vocals simply eat me alive. The song is soothing, intense, godly. Background vocals go up an octave. I swim through a dragon's nasal cavity. "COME ON AND LET IT OUT!" I wish Jigsaws fell into place more often. I'd give my liver to see the song live. Yeehaw, motherfucker.


"Videotape" kills me. It reminds me of "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" in that it's a lesson in pure simplicity and beauty. The lyrics fascinate me a whole lot. Are they describing the sterility of modern technology in the face of death? Is the videotape representing his life's worth upon his ascent to the Pearly Gates. Is there a goodbye letter in there somewhere? IS THIS A FUCKING SUICIDE NOTE?

"When I'm at the pearly gates
This'll be on my videotape
my videotape

When Mephistopholis is just beneath
And he's reaching up to grab me

This is one for the good days
And I have it all here
In red blue green
Red blue green

You are my centre when I spin away
Out of control on videotape
On videotape

This is my way of saying goodbye
Because I can't do it face to face

No matter what happens now
I won't be afraid
Because I know today has been the most perfect day I've ever seen. "

The second to the last verse is the most haunting of all.

The music itself moves along on a simple piano refrain and a drum gallop. "Videotape"
is cathartic and moving. Then it ends.

Count `em: 5 amazing songs, 3 really fucking great ones, 2 merely good ones.

Maybe the album of the year. Maybe not.

Gjaghyueyuewuieh!

Radionead - In Rainbows - First Listen

Please note this is not satire. It's OK to really enjoy something, even in 2007. It's OK to even get slightly insane and start ranting like a lunatic just because something is just that damn good. Of course just like Horselover Fat it's alright to poke fun at yourself for being insane too. Or at least appearing to be insane, but you know, really, you're not insane. You're right on target with this.

I just got done with my first listen to In Rainbows and my first thought about what I should say about it is: This isn't music, this is church.

I don't know if this is the intended result but because of In Rainbows I now believe in God. I do not believe there is any scientific explanation for something as beautiful as this music. And certainly there are no words that can do it any justice either, so I will not try to describe the music with words. Really, that's quite futile. That's why it's music and not a poem.

My question is not whether this is the best album of 2007 but whether or not it is the most perfect album of all time. Please note that I started questioning this on my very first listen and before the album was even over. It'll be interesting to see if I still agree with my initial thoughts on it some time down the road. And yes I do ask you to take a lot of notes.

If you are skeptical, I understand. I usually class myself as a skeptic or a cynic. Or at least as a critic. But I think you make a mistake when you go into a musical experience looking for something to critique. You should give that music every chance to work upon you as the artist intended it to. Otherwise why even bother listening in the first place? I would suggest that if you do not do this that you are not really listening.

I was thinking about spoken conversations as a good example for what I'm talking about. When you are really listening in a conversation you are really listening to what the other person is saying rather than just thinking of what you are going to say next (as people often do.) I think listening to music is similar to this. Often time critics aren't really listening, they are just trying to think of what they are going to say (criticize.) So they aren't really listening to the music in the context of the intended listening experience. They are just looking for something to critique.

Now I do think there's a place for this sort of critical thought applied to music of course, but... I do feel there's not enough music appreciation while there is too much music criticism by people who don't seem to even really like music.

This is music for people who really like music. And also perhaps those looking for a reason to believe in God.

New Radiohead Album In Rainbows Out In 10 Days.

Radiohead have announced on their website that their newest album In Rainbows will be available for download in 10 days (October 10, 2007.) Apparently they are bypassing all record labels (at least for now.)

You can also pre-order a discbox version (which comes with the ability to download the album.)

The discbox version includes a CD and 2 X 12 inch heavyweight vinyl records. The disc boxes are being made to order and will be 40 pounds (that's nearly $80) including shipping. It will begin shipping on December 3. And as they make clear on the website if you order this version you'll also have access to the downloads on October 10.

Perhaps the strangest thing about this release is the fact that they are apparently allowing people to set their own price on the downloadable version of the album. It literally says the price is "Up to you."

EDIT: Buy In Rainbows CD Online

Radiohead - LP 7 - Potential Songs

Radiohead's 7th album is due to come out "sometime in 2008." It's been reported that the album is completely recorded and in the mixing/mastering stages now. Radiohead has not released an album since 2003's Hail To The Thief.

What follows are some of the songs that are rumored to be on the album with (with live performances of each.)

Potential LP 7 Songs:

"All I Need"


"Arpeggi"


"Bangers 'n' Mash"


"Bodysnatchers"


"Down Is The New Up"


"15 Step"


"4 Minute Warning"


"Go Slowly"


"House Of Cards"


"Nude" (or "Big Ideas")


"Open Pick"


"Spooks"


"Videotape"

Top 10 Bands/Artists Of The 90s.

A lot of people look back at the 90s and think of the grunge era of the early 90s with Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Others think back on the late 90s and the teen pop of N Sync, Britney Spears, and the Backstreet Boys. This is definitly not the case for me.

My favorite 10 bands/artists that were arguably at their "peak" during the 90s (no particular order):

The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin is one of my very favorite albums of the decade and the rest of their 90s output is almost as great. In fact I think every single album they released in the 90s is a great album from A Priest Driven Ambulance to The Soft Bulletin. One of the best things about these albums is how different they are from each other. As different as all of their albums are they all share the same spark of creativity. The same sense of true psychedelia. They were pushing themselves forward into new territory throughout the decade. They never allowed themselves to get into a rut.

For someone who has yet to hear the Lips I would recommend starting out with The Soft Bulletin and 2002's Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and then work your way back through gems like Clouds Taste Metallic. If you are more of a noisy rock guitar kind of guy or gal then you might want to start with A Priest Driven Ambulance and make your way towards the newer stuff.

Radiohead - I don't really like their debut album Pablo Honey much at all. To me it sounds too much like all the other bands in tired the "alternative" genre of the time. But The Bends is great and OK Computer is legendary. These two albums I consider to be so good that if I were ranking instead of listing my top 10 they would likely be #1. But choosing 10 is hard enough without putting them in order. My only reservation about placing them on this list is that I'm not really sure I consider the 90s to be the peak of Radiohead because I love their output from this decade so much.

Oasis - While this is an extremely unpopular choice among the type of indie snobs that this blog is aimed at (and I'm sure the other contributers on this site will be turning up their noses at this selection) I don't really care. I think they are an excellent band that writes insanely catchy tunes and certainly they were at their peak with 1994's Definitely Maybe and it's more poppy follow up 1995 (What's The Story) Morning Glory? I also like Be Here Now as much of a mess as it is. It's over the top nature I now find to be quite endearing. Especially in this era of emo nonsense.

Along with Noel Gallagher's perfect songwriting in the 90s his brother Liam brought the perfect rock voice to the band. To me Liam Gallagher is arguably the best rock singer of the decade. In fact I suppose I'm arguing it right now. His delivery can make the most insipid lyrics (and no doubt most of Oasis' lyrics are very insipid) and the most tired tune and turn them into something that grand. When he sings "Tonight I'm A Rock N Roll Star" I believe that he really means that. He's not being ironic, he really means it. To me this sort of attitude is what's missing from so much of the music of the past, I don't know, 30 years.

The Olivia Tremor Control - I didn't start listening to the Olivia Tremor Control until a few years ago but I now consider them to be near the very top of my list of great 90s bands. They've only released two albums and they came out in 1996 and 1999 so clearly they fit the criteria of their peak being in the 90s. While they only released two albums they were both so great and so epic in scope that I consider them to be one of my absolute favorite bands.

Their music is some of the most psychedelic pop rock music I've ever heard. There are seemingly infinite layers of sound going on in their tunes. The arrangements and instrumentation are always surprising. Certainly they take their cues from The Beach Boys and The Beatles and they often called retro but I never feel like I'm hearing any attempt to recreate the magic of an earlier time when I listen to them. I hear something far greater than just some recreation. I hear music that is timeless, from some place where time is just an idea.

If you are new to the Olivia Tremor Control I would start off with their first album 1996's Dusk At Cubist Castle and once that has been thoroughly digested move on to 1999's Black Foliage. I suggest this because if you get both of them at once I think you may be overwhelmed. Both of their albums deserves it's own gestation period so to speak. I think they are equally great with Dusk At Cubist Castle probably being easier to get into at first but Black Foliage being even more layered and intricate.

Beck - Beck was undoubtedly one of the most innovative and important artists of the 90s. 1994's Mellow Gold is widely known mostly for it's hit single "Loser" but it's actually filled with great inventive tracks that have a delicious DIY type weirdness to them. If you want to get really weird and really DIY with Beck then you should check out his lesser known album Stereopathetic Soulmanure which is brimful with insanity.

Of course Beck became known as more than a one hit wonder with 1996's Odelay which was more polished than his earlier work and won much wide acclaim. While my friend Mozart Breath doesn't care for it much I think it's quite a wonderful album and it holds up quite well with time.

Believe it or not I'm one of the few Beck fans who doesn't love 1998's Mutations. For some mysterious reason I've just never been able to get into that album.

Primal Scream - To me Primal Scream is one of the most underrated bands in the world. It doesn't seem like many people here in the US listen to them or even know who they are. Admittedly their last couple of albums haven't been mind blowing but Screamadelica and Vanishing Point are two of my very favorite albums of the 1990s. 2000's XTRMNTR is awesome too, but I'll keep this focused on the 90s, alright?

As you may gather from my list I'm quite the "psychedelic" music fan. Not psychedelic as if it's some specific genre of music from the 60s but in the sense that I enjoy music that tickles the brain a bit. Using this wide open to interpretation definition of psychedelic I'm not sure there are many albums that are more psychedelic than Screamadelica and Vanishing Point. Primal Scream's music is often a trip, even if you're not tripping. Although that may help your appreciation.

Spiritualized - Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space is an album of pure Godliness. It's one of my top 10 albums of all time and it's the main reason I am including them on this list. Like Primal Scream I feel that they have lost the edge that made them great with their recent albums but back in 1997 not too many could touch them.

Their earlier albums are fantastic too and I know they are preferred by some hardcore Spiritualized fans but to me Ladies & Gents is some sort of perfect culmination. Spiritualized is another British band that is too often overlooked here in the US.

Blur - Yes I've got both Oasis AND Blur on my list. Got a bit of a hard on for the "Brit Pop" do I? Aye. Blur is a bit hit and miss for me but I really like a lot of their stuff and I find myself enjoying them more and more as time goes by. I prefer their late 90s albums Blur and 13.

Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea is just a tremendous album. There's something about it that's magical and timeless. While I'll always choose Olivia Tremor Control over Neutral Milk Hotel when it comes to a clash of the Elephant 6 titans (which I'm sure will be an event at the next Wrestlemania.) I really love both of them for different reasons. I'm not usually someone who cares much about lyrics but Jeff Mangum has a way with words that really draws me in. It's actually a lyric from On Avery Island that may be my all time favorite lyric. It's "How Strange Is It To Be Anything At All." Somehow that sums it all up for me.

Ween - An extremely underrated band. Too many people think they are merely a "joke" band. While some of their songs are funny, they are far more bizarre than hilarious. Bizarre being much more interesting to me. They are the combination of extreme musical talent with even more extreme imagination. This combines to create masterpiece albums like 1997's The Mollusk. If you've never given Ween a real shot before I suggest you really listen to their music with an open mind starting with the aforementioned The Mollusk.

You may have noticed I've named quite a few albums from 1997 on this list and for some reason quite a few albums from that year really stand out for me above all others. Definitely my favorite year of the 90s as far as music goes with albums like Radiohead's OK Computer, Spiritualized's Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space, Primal Scream's Vanishing Point, Ween's The Mollusk, The Flaming Lips' Zaireeka, Bob Dylan's Time Out Of Mind, and Cornershop's When I Was Born For The 7th Time.