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In Rainbows

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In Rainbows is the seventh studio album by the English rock band Radiohead. It was first released on 10 October 2007 as a digital download for which users may choose how much to pay, and is scheduled to be released on 3 December 2007 as a double album "discbox" with a second CD, two vinyls, artwork and lyric booklets.

The band had worked on In Rainbows for more than two years, beginning in early 2005. The album's release marks the end of the longest gap between Radiohead albums in their career. Radiohead are expected to finalise a record deal in October 2007, and In Rainbows will most likely be released as a standard CD in January 2008.[1]

The band are set to embark on a world tour beginning in spring 2008. [2] This tour will differ from regular Radiohead tours in that the band, according to manager Bryce Edge, will perform in "larger-scale venues."

Recording history

After a break in 2004, Radiohead began work in early 2005. Lead vocalist Thom Yorke and guitarist Jonny Greenwood debuted a new song, "Arpeggi", at London's Ether Festival in March 2005; Greenwood also debuted two of his own orchestral pieces, one written for the Ondes Martenot. Later that summer, Yorke performed an acoustic set for the Trade Justice Rally, playing the never-recorded "Nude" and "Reckoner", debuting the new song "House of Cards", and introducing "Last Flowers [Till Hospital]", a remnant from the OK Computer period. In September 2005, the band recorded a new piano-based song, "I Want None of This", for the War Child charity album Help: A Day in the Life. This album was sold online, with Radiohead's contribution being the most downloaded track, although it was not released as a single.

Regular recording sessions began late summer 2005, with the band posting intermittently on their progress in their new blog, Dead Air Space. Recording continued into early 2006. In the spring 2006 sessions, they chose to work with Mark "Spike" Stent instead of their longtime co-producer Nigel Godrich. The band finished work with Stent in April 2006.

In May and June 2006, Radiohead toured major cities in Europe and North America, returning to Europe for several concerts in August. The tour, their first in several years, drew sold-out crowds to smaller venues such as clubs and theatres, including a benefit performance in London for Friends of the Earth's campaign to stop climate change. They also played larger music festivals such as the massive Bonnaroo and V Festival; they headlined both lineups of V and played a 28-song set at Bonnaroo, their longest live concert in years. This tour coincided with the release of Yorke's solo album, The Eraser, from which the track "Cymbal Rush" was performed at the environmental benefit, but otherwise the band did not play Yorke's solo songs as a group.

After the tour, the band restarted recording sessions in September 2006, this time with Godrich. Yorke said on Dead Air Space that the band have "started the record properly now... starting to get somewhere I think. Finally."[3] By late December 2006, they finished their third month of recording with Godrich at several rural locations in England and had a three-week holiday break. In mid-January 2007 Radiohead resumed their recording sessions following their holiday break and also started posting photos, lyrics, videos and samples of new songs.

In late April, Yorke stated that Radiohead had a CD of material ready for consideration.[4] In June, Nigel Godrich posted cutting-room floor clippings of the mixed songs on Dead Air Space, among which were "Jigsaw Falling into Place" (known as "Open Pick" throughout 2006 performances[5]), "Down Is the New Up", "Bangers and Mash", "All I Need", "Faust Arp" and "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi".[6] Having completed recording the album in June, Radiohead mastered the album from July to August 2007 in New York City.[7]

Release and distribution

Having fulfilled their six-album contract with EMI with the release of 2003's Hail to the Thief, Radiohead stated after completion of recording their seventh LP that they had not made a decision on how to release their new material.[8] Yorke at one point had also hinted at the possibility of releasing EPs rather than an album.[9] However, he ruled out Internet-only distribution because he felt some fans would not have the technological means to obtain the new material.[10]

In a statement released in 2006, the band said that "for the first time, we have no contract or release deadline to fulfill—it's both liberating and terrifying."[11] Yorke, commenting on the band's relationship with EMI, said, "We have no record contract as such. Any offers?..What we would like is the old EMI back again, the nice genteel arms manufacturers who treated music [as] a nice side project who weren't too bothered about the shareholders. Ah well, not much chance of that."[12] Shortly before the band began writing new songs for the album, Yorke told Time, "I like the people at our record company, but the time is at hand when you have to ask why anyone needs one. And, yes, it probably would give us some perverse pleasure to say 'Fuck you' to this decaying business model."[13]

File:Inrainbowsdiscbox.jpg
In Rainbows discbox edition

On 1 October 2007, Radiohead announced via their blog the title, track list, and release dates of their seventh studio album, In Rainbows.[14] As the band was not in a contract with any record label at the time of its release, the album was initially released as a download from inrainbows.com on 10 October 2007. This version, packaged as a zip file, included the ten album tracks encoded in 160kbps DRM-free MP3 format.[15] Upon purchase, the buyer was prompted to type in their desired price, plus a credit card transaction fee of 45 pence if purchased for more than £0.00.[16] The staggered online release of the album began at about 5:30 GMT.

A special made-to-order "discbox", available for pre-order through inrainbows.com, will be dispatched on or before 3 December 2007. It will contain the album on CD and two 12" heavyweight vinyl records with artwork and lyric booklets. The box will include a second enhanced CD which contains 8 additional tracks, as well as digital photos and artwork. The overall set will be packaged in a hardcover book and slipcase. The discbox, priced at £40 (about $80 U.S.), also includes the MP3 download.[17]

In an interview with BBC Radio 4 on 4 October 2007, Radiohead's managers, Bryce Edge and Chris Hufford, stated that the band will soon sign with a record label, and a standard physical release of the album will likely hit stores sometime in January 2008. "The band feel that this record, which they are incredibly proud of, deserves to be brought into the mass marketplace," said Hufford. "That's why we need a record company who have that infrastructure to deliver the CD."[1] In Rainbows is published by Warner Chappell Music Publishing", a contract which refers to copyright governing the songs' compositions, not the recordings.[18]

Explaining the reasons behind the album's unusual delivery, the band's lead guitarist Jonny Greenwood said "partly just to get it out quickly, so everyone would hear it at the same time, and partly because it was an experiment that felt worth trying, really." As for letting people name the price they pay for the album, he said "it's fun to make people stop for a few seconds and think about what music is worth, and that's just an interesting question to ask people."[19]

On 2 October 2007, a spokesman for the band revealed that "most people are deciding on a normal retail price with very few trying to buy it for a penny" and that "most fans were pre-ordering the 'discbox'."[20] Citing a source close to the band, Gigwise.com reported that by 10 October 2007, the album had sold 1.2 million copies.[21] According to an Internet survey conducted by Record of the Day of 3,000 people, about one-third of people who downloaded the album paid nothing, with the average price paid being £4.[22] The unique nature of the album's availability has cast doubt on whether the album will be eligible for inclusion in the UK album charts.[23]

Musical style and influences

Thom Yorke, in reference to the lyrical content featured on the album, has said "It's about that anonymous fear thing, sitting in traffic, thinking, 'I'm sure I'm supposed to be doing something else'... it's similar to OK Computer in a way. It's much more terrifying. But OK Computer was terrifying too—some of the lyrics were."[24]

Before the album was released, Yorke posted extracts of J.G. Ballard's anti-consumerist book Kingdom Come and links to sites against the use of nuclear power and for the promotion of knowledge about global warming on Dead Air Space, the band's blog.[25]

Critical reception

In Rainbows received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, earning a rating of 89 out of 100 on Metacritic.[26] The Guardian's review was especially glowing, stating "it may represent the strongest collection of songs Radiohead have assembled for a decade."[27] The Province's review was also appreciative, claiming that In Rainbows "is Radiohead's most rapturous, touching, and human record since OK Computer."[28] Several reviewers attributed the album's quality to the band's performance in the studio, claiming that the band sounded like they were enjoying themselves.[27][29][30] The Hartford Courant called the songs "a skillful mix of instruments and electronic sounds, incorporating elements of all the things Radiohead has done before without sounding exactly like any of them."[31] Many reviewers also commended the album on not being overshadowed by its marketing hype.[29][32][33]

Track listing

  1. "15 Step" – 3:57
  2. "Bodysnatchers" – 4:02
  3. "Nude" – 4:15
  4. "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" – 5:18
  5. "All I Need" – 3:48
  6. "Faust Arp" – 2:09
  7. "Reckoner" – 4:50
  8. "House of Cards" – 5:28
  9. "Jigsaw Falling into Place" – 4:09
  10. "Videotape" – 4:39

The discbox release of the album includes a bonus disc, which contains eight additional tracks, along with digital photographs and artwork:[17]

  1. "MK 1"
  2. "Down Is the New Up"
  3. "Go Slowly"
  4. "MK 2"
  5. "Last Flowers"
  6. "Up on the Ladder"
  7. "Bangers and Mash"
  8. "4 Minute Warning"

References

  1. ^ a b Zugna, Daniel (2007-10-05). "Radiohead Will Sign Record Deal, Release Album 'Traditionally'". undercover.com.au. Retrieved 2007-10-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ Yorke, Thom (2006-10-15). "if you are concerned about climate change". Dead Air Space. Retrieved 2007-10-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Sleightholm, Stacey (2007-04-25). "Radiohead's Thom Yorke Scared of New Album, Gets Political Again". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2007-05-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ "Radiohead's "In Rainbows": Track-By-Track Preview". Rolling Stone. 2007-10-01. Retrieved 2007-10-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ Godrich, Nigel (2007-06-15). "a bit of tape from the studio". Dead Air Space. Retrieved 2007-06-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Radiohead mastering seventh album in New York". NME. 2007-07-16. Retrieved 2007-07-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Bienstock, Hal (2007-09-07). "Radiohead's new album is finished...now what?". Billboard. Retrieved 2007-10-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ Fricke, David (2006-06-01). "Radiohead's Thom Yorke on Going Solo". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-10-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ Pareles, Jon (2006-07-02). "With Radiohead, and Alone, the Sweet Malaise of Thom Yorke". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-10-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "Exclusive - Radiohead UK tour revealed". NME. 2006-03-21. Retrieved 2007-03-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "Radiohead zoning in on seventh album, reveal new track". Soundgenerator.com. 2005-07-21. Retrieved 2007-07-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ Tyrangiel, Josh (2007-10-01). "Radiohead Says: Pay What You Want". Time. Retrieved 2007-10-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ Greenwood, Jonny (2007-10-01). "In Rainbows". Dead Air Space. Retrieved 2007-10-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Van Buskirk, Eliot (2007-10-09). "Will Radiohead's Servers Be Able to Handle All Tomorrow's Downloads?". Wired. Retrieved 2007-10-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ "It's Up To You". inrainbows.com. 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ a b "Discbox: Details". inrainbows.com. 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ Brandle, Lars (2007-10-09). "Radiohead In Direct-Licensing Deal For New CD". Billboard. Retrieved 2007-10-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ Hiatt, Brian (2007-10-10). "Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood on "In Rainbows": "It's Fun to Make People Think About What Music is Worth?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-10-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ "Fans crash Radiohead album site". BBC News. 2007-10-02. Retrieved 2007-10-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Colothan, Scott (2007-10-11). "Exclusive: Radiohead Sell 1.2million Copies Of 'In Rainbows'". Gigwise.com. Retrieved 2007-10-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ Sherwin, Adam (2007-10-11). "How much is Radiohead's online album worth? Nothing at all, say a third of fans". The Times. Retrieved 2007-10-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "Radiohead new album: chart eligibility in doubt". NME. 2007-10-01. Retrieved 2007-10-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ "Radiohead reveal 'terrifying' new album". NME. 2006-04-03. Retrieved 2007-03-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ Yorke, Thom (2007-03-11). "mood music". Dead Air Space. Retrieved 2007-03-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ "Radiohead: In Rainbows (2007): Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  27. ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (2007-10-10). "Radiohead's In Rainbows - a five-star review". The Guardian. Retrieved 2007-10-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ Sperounes, Sandra (2007-10-12). "The Radiohead of OK Computer has returned". The Province. Retrieved 2007-10-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ a b Jones, David (2007-10-11). "radiohead 'in rainbows' review plus full tracks". Collective. Retrieved 2007-10-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ Hubbard, Michael (October 2007). "Radiohead - In Rainbows : album review". musicOMH.com. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  31. ^ Danton, Eric R. (2007-10-11). "Mix Of Art And Morality". The Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2007-10-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (October 2007). "In Rainbows". Billboard. Retrieved 2007-10-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ Incognito, Daniel (2007-10-12). "Radiohead - In Rainbows Review". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2007-10-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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