A friend of mine over at Feed The Indie Kids is joining me in a week-long battle of wit and unabashed blog violence. Watch as we pedantically review 7 albums for the 7 days in a week with opposing view points. Cheer and Jeer as we make fools of ourselves, but mostly each other in: BLOGWARS.
Radiohead's new album hit the net last week. The album, entitled In Rainbows was released in the non-conventional web-only style utilized by many less affluent bands. Radiohead, however, has chosen this format because it has recently dropped its label. The indie band not only decided to not provide the record in stores, but more shockingly, they decided to opt with a "Pay what you feel like" mode of selling the album.I downloaded the album (electing to pay 0 pounds) and began listening, already excited about the prospect of legally receiving a record for free and must say that I was impressed. Radiohead delivered a great sounding, diverse record with In Rainbows.
The CD starts off with the frenetic guitar and synth of 15 Step. The song features the trademark (or so I am told) instrumental focus, while letting the vocals complement; rather than the other way around. The catchy song is followed by the similarly instrumental Bodysnatchers. The second song features a larger highlight of front man, Thom Yorke's singing, though the quick bass and squealing guitar are still clearly in the forefront.
After the speedy opening tracks, the record slows down with Nude. Opening with some slow echo effects and some moaning from Yorke, the song benefits from Colin Greenwood's deep, prominent bass-line. The track drags at points, but ends before any real damage is done to the listener's enjoyment of the CD as a whole.
Almost schizophrenically, the album picks back up with an almost "Legend of Zelda" sounding guitar line in Weird Fishes/Arpeggi. The picked-up pace only helps to alienate Nude more, making the listener wonder if they really did just listen to a 4:15 track with a snail's pace.
The middle of the CD blends together, making the listener unsure if they had just listened to 4 songs or 1 track of a phenomenal length. The heavily modified bass of All I Need accompanied by Phil Selway's drum skill keep the track entertaining. The quick, spitting vocals of Yorke make a return in Faust Arp. The incomprehensible vocals blend with the violin and guitar of the track to make an inseparable amalgam of sounds that would sound empty without the other.
Reckoner keeps the same pace, but drops out the soft violin and soothing vocals for a more metallic guitar and drums along with more wailing vocals. The indecipherable moaning becomes annoying at some points; but as with earlier tracks, it seems a subtraction of any part of the song would make it utterly unlistenable.
House of Cards features a more radio-friendly guitar line with discordant synth and repetitive vocals. At this point the album seems to lose steam from the fantastic beginnings of 15 step and Bodysnatchers. The lyrics of House of Cards (Yes! They ARE understandable) sound like something an angsty teen would write in a heartfelt poem to a spurned lover.
The following track, Jigsaw Falling Into Place, tries to reclaim some of the suckitude of House of Cards with a bass rif more reminiscent of earlier songs on the album and some quick, almost rap-like, lyrics from Yorke. This track is a diamond covered in crap, sandwiched between House of Cards and the equally terrible Videotape.
The CD as a whole is a great addition to my library which lived up to the cheap-as-free hype. Radiohead delivers a solid aural recording with In Rainbows, despite it's sometimes cryptic lyrics and meanings. Solid.... Enjoy the sounds I have so generously placed at the expense of Radiohead.
15 Step
Jigsaw Falling Into Place
Until Next Time, Live Long and Prosper _\\//
~Mike
PS~ To further elongate this, already gargantuan, post; The people at Blog Action Day ask that I spread awareness to the plight of our fine planet. She hath served us well in the past and we should stop bitch-slapping her in the eye. I mean... Get the arm or something. The eye really hurts.
Radiohead's new album hit the net last week. The album, entitled In Rainbows was released in the non-conventional web-only style utilized by many less affluent bands. Radiohead, however, has chosen this format because it has recently dropped its label. The indie band not only decided to not provide the record in stores, but more shockingly, they decided to opt with a "Pay what you feel like" mode of selling the album.I downloaded the album (electing to pay 0 pounds) and began listening, already excited about the prospect of legally receiving a record for free and must say that I was impressed. Radiohead delivered a great sounding, diverse record with In Rainbows.
The CD starts off with the frenetic guitar and synth of 15 Step. The song features the trademark (or so I am told) instrumental focus, while letting the vocals complement; rather than the other way around. The catchy song is followed by the similarly instrumental Bodysnatchers. The second song features a larger highlight of front man, Thom Yorke's singing, though the quick bass and squealing guitar are still clearly in the forefront.
After the speedy opening tracks, the record slows down with Nude. Opening with some slow echo effects and some moaning from Yorke, the song benefits from Colin Greenwood's deep, prominent bass-line. The track drags at points, but ends before any real damage is done to the listener's enjoyment of the CD as a whole.
Almost schizophrenically, the album picks back up with an almost "Legend of Zelda" sounding guitar line in Weird Fishes/Arpeggi. The picked-up pace only helps to alienate Nude more, making the listener wonder if they really did just listen to a 4:15 track with a snail's pace.
The middle of the CD blends together, making the listener unsure if they had just listened to 4 songs or 1 track of a phenomenal length. The heavily modified bass of All I Need accompanied by Phil Selway's drum skill keep the track entertaining. The quick, spitting vocals of Yorke make a return in Faust Arp. The incomprehensible vocals blend with the violin and guitar of the track to make an inseparable amalgam of sounds that would sound empty without the other.
Reckoner keeps the same pace, but drops out the soft violin and soothing vocals for a more metallic guitar and drums along with more wailing vocals. The indecipherable moaning becomes annoying at some points; but as with earlier tracks, it seems a subtraction of any part of the song would make it utterly unlistenable.
House of Cards features a more radio-friendly guitar line with discordant synth and repetitive vocals. At this point the album seems to lose steam from the fantastic beginnings of 15 step and Bodysnatchers. The lyrics of House of Cards (Yes! They ARE understandable) sound like something an angsty teen would write in a heartfelt poem to a spurned lover.
The following track, Jigsaw Falling Into Place, tries to reclaim some of the suckitude of House of Cards with a bass rif more reminiscent of earlier songs on the album and some quick, almost rap-like, lyrics from Yorke. This track is a diamond covered in crap, sandwiched between House of Cards and the equally terrible Videotape.
The CD as a whole is a great addition to my library which lived up to the cheap-as-free hype. Radiohead delivers a solid aural recording with In Rainbows, despite it's sometimes cryptic lyrics and meanings. Solid.... Enjoy the sounds I have so generously placed at the expense of Radiohead.
15 Step
Jigsaw Falling Into Place
Until Next Time, Live Long and Prosper _\\//
~Mike
PS~ To further elongate this, already gargantuan, post; The people at Blog Action Day ask that I spread awareness to the plight of our fine planet. She hath served us well in the past and we should stop bitch-slapping her in the eye. I mean... Get the arm or something. The eye really hurts.
1 comment:
Very nice... It looks like I have a worthy opponent.
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