Radiohead is usually known by their obsessive fans, their previous 6 albums before “In Rainbows,” or for being notorious for having one of the most interesting ways of distributing a record. The band dictated on October 1st, 2007 that their seventh album would be out in a matter of 10 days and that fans had the option to pay whatever they wanted for the album as a zip file of MP3’s. If fan’s wanted to have a physical version of the album, they could pre-order the “discbox” which contained a double-vinyl version, a CD copy with an enhanced six-track bonus disc, as well as a lyric book and photos. This system of distributing their 7th album was entirely done without any participation of a record label.
Radiohead did not disappoint. “In Rainbows” is an album that resonates somewhat of a romantic feeling, while at the same time, displaying all the dark sides of each color of the rainbow. It’s an album that is pleasantly dark, and passionate. The addition of certain electronica aspects on the album offer an instrumental direction that is new to Radiohead, and makes for a much more mature and era appropriate album.
“In Rainbows” contains many songs that will beckon you to lay your head on your pillow and ponder mundane questions about your life in a much different light, perhaps trying to make sense of each day’s modus operandi. Radiohead’s dreamlike rock is inspiring as well as colorful. “In Rainbows” is a vacation to a new sound.
release date: Tuesday, January 1, 2008
