2008 Woodie Awards
My take on the tune: Radiohead's 'In Rainbows'
Kevin Eagan
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: A&E
In a utopian world, music would be as free as a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
But unfortunately, that's not the case. Those of us who choose to get our music through legal means are stuck with the soon-to-be obsolete CD purchase for $14.99 plus tax, or the proprietary digital purchase on iTunes or an equivalent Web site. When you think about it, it's incredibly limiting in the modern digital age.
Last week, Radiohead decided to take matters into their own hands with their seventh full-length album, "In Rainbows." Instead of going through the usual rigmarole of a record label and distribution company to release their album, they offered it on their Web site, letting their fans name the price. You can pay what you want for the album, anywhere from $0 to $100 (plus credit card handling fee), no tricks.
OK, there are a few tricks. For one, you don't get any album art with the download, and if you want the actual disc, you'll have to wait a few months for the $80 box set (also available through the band's Web site). But other than that, you get 10 great songs for whatever you feel like paying.
I paid $3 for the album, because I like Radiohead enough, but not enough to pay full album price. At that price, I certainly got what I paid for; "In Rainbows" is a strong effort that outshines Radiohead's last release, 2003's "Hail to the Thief."
"15 Step" opens the album with a clunky electro-pop jam that's reminiscent of the band's "Kid A" era with some beautiful guitar work added in for effect. The song immediately shows Radiohead is on top of their game, despite spending four years to release this album.
The rest of "In Rainbows" reveals a band with a more positive outlook on music and the world in general. Songs like "Bodysnatchers" and "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" are true rockers of the air guitar variety, and even the more subdued songs, like "Nude" and "Faust Arp" show Radiohead's progressive musical styles.
Lyrically, the band mixes the best elements of abstraction and self-awareness that's expected from Radiohead. Gone are the paranoid, politically tinged lyrics from previous efforts. Instead, Radiohead is comfortable with being a group of excellent musicians willing to sing out loud for your penance on the Internet.
But unfortunately, that's not the case. Those of us who choose to get our music through legal means are stuck with the soon-to-be obsolete CD purchase for $14.99 plus tax, or the proprietary digital purchase on iTunes or an equivalent Web site. When you think about it, it's incredibly limiting in the modern digital age.
Last week, Radiohead decided to take matters into their own hands with their seventh full-length album, "In Rainbows." Instead of going through the usual rigmarole of a record label and distribution company to release their album, they offered it on their Web site, letting their fans name the price. You can pay what you want for the album, anywhere from $0 to $100 (plus credit card handling fee), no tricks.
OK, there are a few tricks. For one, you don't get any album art with the download, and if you want the actual disc, you'll have to wait a few months for the $80 box set (also available through the band's Web site). But other than that, you get 10 great songs for whatever you feel like paying.
I paid $3 for the album, because I like Radiohead enough, but not enough to pay full album price. At that price, I certainly got what I paid for; "In Rainbows" is a strong effort that outshines Radiohead's last release, 2003's "Hail to the Thief."
"15 Step" opens the album with a clunky electro-pop jam that's reminiscent of the band's "Kid A" era with some beautiful guitar work added in for effect. The song immediately shows Radiohead is on top of their game, despite spending four years to release this album.
The rest of "In Rainbows" reveals a band with a more positive outlook on music and the world in general. Songs like "Bodysnatchers" and "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" are true rockers of the air guitar variety, and even the more subdued songs, like "Nude" and "Faust Arp" show Radiohead's progressive musical styles.
Lyrically, the band mixes the best elements of abstraction and self-awareness that's expected from Radiohead. Gone are the paranoid, politically tinged lyrics from previous efforts. Instead, Radiohead is comfortable with being a group of excellent musicians willing to sing out loud for your penance on the Internet.
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