Radiohead- ‘In Rainbows’
The hallmark of Radiohead’s career has been evolution; the band’s longevity and success stems from the fact they have never stood still. It is this fearlessness and will to experiment that has yielded some of their most acclaimed releases. ‘Kid A’ (2000) was a venture into the unknown, shunning the guitar-centric sound that was their foundation in favour of electronic methods of composition. Perhaps at times, they have even taken their sonic exploration too far– some tracks on the ‘Amnesiac’ (2001) are so avant-garde they are difficult for even the most diehard of Radiohead fans to warm to. However, 2008’s ‘In Rainbows’ bucks the trend of many of their previous releases in that it is not a journey into unchartered territory. Instead, this album is an amalgamation of all the elements that have elevated Radiohead to their status as one of world music’s most esteemed artists. As a result, the record embodies the attributes that set Radiohead apart from the many bands that have faded into obscurity over the course of music history. It is an exercise in innovation, while simultaneously drawing inspiration from all corners of their discography.
The album’s beauty lies in the fact that, at its core, it is more personal than Radiohead’s other releases. On the record’s more stripped back songs, Thom Yorke’s voice takes centre stage, showcasing his most autobiographical set of lyrics to date. This creates an undertone of vulnerability, as his honesty in reflecting on the trials and tribulations of his romantic life gives him nowhere to hide from the listener. The idea of the artist revealing his true self to his audience is best highlighted by the song title, ‘Nude’, as this infers that the band are presenting an unblemished and uncovered version of themselves. On this track, Yorke delivers a breathtaking vocal performance, supported by a contemplative Colin Greenwood bassline and atmospheric harmonics, courtesy of Ed O’Brien. Similarly, ‘House of Cards’ does not hide behind distortion and reverb, instead relying on a simple but memorable chord progression and Yorke’s soaring vocals to leave a lasting impression. This song documents two failing marriages, but the solemnity of this overarching concept is forgotten in the poignance of the song’s opening lyrics, ‘I don’t want to be your friend | I just want to be your lover.’ Usually so concerned with political strife and existentialism, it is refreshing to see Yorke deliver lyrics as heartfelt and personal as these throughout ‘In Rainbows’.
In my personal opinion, this album is Radiohead’s songwriting peak. Yes, they are best known for their 1997 masterpiece, OK Computer, but ‘In Rainbows’ arguably contains their best material. Their instrumentation is more understated on this record, so it is particularly impressive that many of the album’s songs are so impactful. On ‘Weird Fishes/Arpeggi’ the song slowly builds over Phil Selway’s incisive drum beat, as the guitars are interwoven and flow seamlessly between one another. This intensity increases gradually increases as the song progresses, until its climax, punctuated by a driving bassline and the innovative use of effects from lead guitarist, Jonny Greenwood. ‘Reckoner’ is constructed around a melodic John Frusciante-inspired riff, and once again Yorke’s vocals are the starring component. This track is also an example of how string instruments are used to great effect on this record, with violins perfectly complementing Yorke’s falsetto as the song draws to a close. The album’s final track, ‘Videotape’, is ‘In Rainbows’ most melancholic offering. This song is about someone’s difficulties in expressing their thoughts to loved ones before their death. Yet the final lyric is uplifting, as Yorke sings, ‘Because I know today has been the most perfect day I’ve ever seen.’ This is a fitting finish to a record that can be considered pretty close to perfection itself.
‘In Rainbows’ is Radiohead at their most polished and fluent best. It substitutes the political diatribes and macabre observations that underpin its predecessors for genuine sentiments that listeners can truly relate to. This simplicity is perhaps at odds with what Radiohead are renowned for, but ultimately gives this record the ethereal quality which makes it a masterpiece.
