Radiohead: Freedom from bad music

October 15, 2007
Filed under Showcase

Janie Boschma

Hinder is hands down the greatest band in the entire world. OK, now that I’ve got your attention, I would like to take a second to disclaim the aforementioned statement and say that Hinder, in actuality, is the worst band in the world and that truly the greatest band in the world is by far Coldplay.

Sorry, once again, I am lying. Coldplay is pretty good, but whatever success they have had in the past is due to possibly one of the truly greatest bands in the world – Radiohead. Many critics agree: bands such as Travis got their sound from Coldplay. Chuck Klosterman, author of “Sex, Drugs, and Coca Puffs” says Coldplay sounds like a mediocre photocopy of Radiohead.

But Radiohead is indeed one of the best bands in the world right now. In 2005, Rolling Stone put them at 73 in the countdown of the greatest artists in history. And many others agree about the quality and scale of Radiohead.

“Radiohead remains one of the biggest bands in the world today,” according to an article in a British newspaper The Daily Telegraph. Radiohead’s status enables them to do amazing things, such as choose to be 100 percent independent, by signing to no label. Because this album was independently released and because of this independent control, Radiohead was able to do something amazing.

What’s amazing was the Wednesday release of Radiohead’s new album “In Rainbows.” It’s important because not only is it their latest release in four years, it’s also because of how the group is releasing it. No, you won’t be able to purchase it on iTunes, and you won’t see it on any Best Buy shelf. But you can download it online for whatever price you choose. That’s right, you can name your own price for the download of the entire new album, for free if you want to. Or you can wait until December to purchase an “In Rainbows” box set which includes a double vinyl disc, eight bonus tracks, a book, and two CDs.

Even though this is a studio-recorded new album, the group has played all of these songs, in some form or another, on any number of past tours; these songs could probably be found floating around on the Internet. But these new polished tracks have been tried and true, some songs being in the works for over 10 years, which leads to an amazing album.

But does their new album live up to Radiohead’s past great albums such as “The Bends” and “OK Computer?”

Their new album has a similar feel but not the same as past albums. “In Rainbows” feels more like a compilation of all past Radiohead styles, from the guitar hooks of “The Bends” to more electronic experiments heard in “Amnesiac” and “Kid A.” But this album has a feel all its own: more grown up and very laid back. “In Rainbows” has lots of orchestral elements to zone out too, and that’s what Radiohead is amazing at – soundtracking your life while you do other things like walk to class or do homework.

“In Rainbows” is a bit shorter than Radiohead’s previous release “Hail to the Thief,” supplying only ten tracks, but all are lengthy and well worth the price, whatever you choose to pay. The fifth track, “All I Need,” might become one of your favorite Radiohead songs. The album ends with a classic Thom Yorke vocalized piano song, sure to provide much atmosphere and background music to your life.

“In Rainbows” lives up to the high standards of Radiohead’s past works and will go great in your collection; whether you’re a fan of Radiohead or just a fan of good music that is full of artistic independent value. But if you’re not a fan of either of these, then you can always purchase the Hinder album on iTunes for $10.

Hoostal is a junior political science major and a columnist for The Spectator. “Scottie Does Know” appears every Monday.