Others say...

"This wants to be your lover"
I read a quote on "In Rainbows" that stated Radiohead had finally met expectations by reaching them. I can certainly echo this statement, and perhaps even stake the claim that this may well be Radiohead's best album. Certainly a huge claim, but "In Rainbows" is a wondrous album.

I will keep things short as many reviewers have picked apart and detailed individual songs and themes. So, most importantly for me, "In Rainbows" treads that impossibly difficult line of being mostly accessible yet surprisingly lasting. It simply does not tire. Months and months of sporadic listens and I still become totally involved and immersed, a feat that separates truly great albums from good ones. The overall sound of the album perfectly blends the sombre electronic tones of "Kid A" and "Amnesiac" with the guitar-driven rock of "Ok Computer" and "The Bends". It's satisfyingly experimental when need be, yet equally sparse and simplistic. It's cold and desolate at times, warm and genial at others. It is everything I can want from a Radiohead album. Beautiful, consistent, cutting-edge music.

"Every song is good"
I'm not a big radiohead fan, but this album is great all the way through. I don't skip any tracks- not even "House of Cards" which I had already heard a bunch of times before I bought the cd. Normally, you hear one of the songs from an album too many times before you get the whole disc, and you're sick of that one. But I still don't skip it. My only complaint is that I wish the album were longer, but that's just because I like everything so much.

"Superb Album - 4 ½ Stars"
I will be the first to readily admit that I slept on Radiohead's IN RAINBOWS throughout 2008. I originally had planned to buy the album online via Radiohead's infamous download offer (which of course worked adversely against them) but I missed the deadline. I then purchased IN RAINBOWS in the store conventionally, but I only listened to the first couple of tracks and sat it aside. It was one of those albums that I said 'I would eventually listen to and critique'. After putting it off for almost an entire year, the Grammy nominations reignited my interest in IN RAINBOWS, considering the gracious Album of the Year award. I will also be the first to say that I thought that an Album of the Year nomination was a bit lofty for this album, but after listening to it and analyzing it, I can sympathize with the Recording Academy's mindset and thinking. It is a fine album. Maybe not 2008's Album of the Year, but certainly a worthy contender by all means.

The album opens as mysterious as any Radiohead album, only this time with sick electronic programming (drums) that instantly catch the listener's attention. Indeed, opening ditty "15 Steps" is not only a great opener, but a personal favorite of mine from IN RAINBOWS. I mean, who else writes in 5/4 time conventionally? Yorke sounds as solid as he did on OK COMPUTER, a historical album. The guitar work complements both the drum programming and live drums. "Bodysnatchers" opts for a more 'indie-/garage-rock' sound than "15 Steps". The guitar work is heavy, though tasteful-enough allowing for Yorke's vocals to shine through the arrangement. It too is a great listen and the mixing job is superb. So far, Radiohead is batting 1000.

"Nude" is definitely in my top 3 of tracks from IN RAINBOWS. The synth-strings coupled with vocalized-synth sounds make it one of the most immaculate productions of IN RAINBOWS. Here, Yorke's vocals sound as sincere as they ever have. The chord progression as always is out there, one of Radiohead's most redeeming qualities. As a songwriter myself, it is difficult to exit from the restrains of I-IV-V chordal progressions - Radiohead has no problems in this arena as "Nude" and the rest of IN RAINBOWS proves true. "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" continues and upward streak of solid tracks, though it is not my favorite by any means (solid nonetheless). "All I Need" is equally as strong as anything else, with a bass line that any pop/hip-hop/urban producer would kill to have. On "All I Need", the songwriting evolves as more electronic effects are added making for quite a stimulating listen. Top notch Radiohead by all means.

"Faust Arp" features one of the most intellectualized chordal progressions of IN RAINBOWS. Again, sounds run rampant and Yorke eats it up with his phenomenal vocals. Another contender in my top three for best track from IN RAINBOWS is most certain "Reckoner" with its top-notch songwriting, great guitar work, and multi-layered drums. Second only to "Nude" is this Yorke's greatest vocal performance. "House of Cards" provides another solid Radiohead performance, while "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" is another 5-star performance in my eyes. Radiohead ends on a high note with "Video Tape", even if it falls short of the very strongest of the album. Even saying that, "Video Tape" is 110% solid as well.

Essentially, Radiohead does not make a misstep on IN RAINBOWS, save for their 'downloading' fiasco, which my have prevented the album from going platinum (it went gold). But what is commercial success these days? If an album goes gold it has accomplished something with the current state of the recording industry and the totality of the economy itself. Radiohead have proven to me that they did have one of the best albums of 2008 and I nearly passed up a golden listening opportunity by my foolishness. 4 ½ Stars!!!

"Breathtaking"
One of the most beautiful albums I have ever heard in my life and I don't say that lightly. These men are truly musicians in every sense of the word. Some songs have moved me to tears while others made me want to dance! Overall I highly recommend it!

"So Radiohead!"
It's amazing how this band is capable to create such out of this word music! One of my life favorite bands!