Radiohead, the critically acclaimed, genre-bending rock act, is homeless. Not literally, of course - you won't find Thom Yorke begging for pocket pence outside the Tube. But after six albums in the cozy company of EMI, the Oxford quintet finds itself without a record label. With the release of their latest record, In Rainbows, they're out to prove they don't need one.
In a marketing maneuver as unexpected and provocative as anything they've put on record, the band stunned the record industry by suddenly releasing their seventh album online on October 10th. The price? "It's up to you."
With early reports claiming upwards of 1.2 million copies downloaded, Street brought our music writers together to discuss the forward-thinking concept and the highly
anticipated album that's making all this fuss.
WHAT YOU PAID
Grace: I paid three pounds, so like six dollars.
Joe: As of now, I've paid zilch. The day of the announcement I was so completely bemused and skeptical of this "name-your-price" talk, I had ordered at 0.00 pounds before the shock had even worn off.
Alex: Around 50 pence. On a side note - ever consider donating to Friends Of The Earth, the environmental N.G.O. affiliated with Yorke, instead of paying for the album? Isn't that what he would want us to do?
AJ: I ordered the 40-pound discbox. so $80? I figure it's a collector's item - just don't tell my parents.
THE ALBUM
Grace: "All I Need" is my favorite so far. I also really love "Bodysnatchers." I think that as a whole, this is a more song-centered album than their previous work. It wouldn't have killed them to write a riff or a hook or even really a chorus in there somewhere. At this point in my time with it, In Rainbows isn't nearly as compelling as their earlier work. That being said, it is better than 98% of the stuff released this year.
Joe: I was initially disappointed by the album. But after a few more listens, however, I've almost completely changed my mind. They definitely delivered on their promise of a "more organic" album. Overall I think it's is an effective fusion of past efforts with plenty of development.
Alex: Kind of an eclectic mix of their former stuff, definitely paying homage to what they have done, but also moving beyond on a couple of songs. The lack of cohesion people have been talking about can be attributed to how the album was drawn together. Scattered brilliance.
AJ: It sounds like the band's given the new songs (only 10, clocking in at 43 minutes) more room to breathe. Most tracks build off a repetitive guitar line, slowly adding touches of detail: on "House of Cards," an almost summery riff floats above an aching tremolo guitar as Thom Yorke croons "denial." The undeniable hightpoint: the trio of "All I Need," the swooning "Faust Arp," and stunner "Reckoner." In Rainbows may not sound like a revolution, but in this moment Radiohead achieves something radically, quietly new: they've transformed angst into sheer beauty.
THE CONCEPT
Grace: I think it was brilliant. It's been done before, but not by anyone with as much of a presence as Radiohead. Almost everyone I know who cares about music spent at least forty two and a half minutes of their day yesterday listening to In Rainbows. It's not often that something comes along that makes everyone stop and take notice. I've read several places that described this as the "death knell" for the record industry as we know it. This could be a real watershed moment.
Joe: I am interested in, happy about, and supportive of the release's (lack of) marketing strategy, but as for questions regarding what it means for the industry, I don't know. We'll have to see. I do, however, hope (as I hope for any influence in the music industry) that it will mean more, better, and less costly music coming to me.
Alex: Brilliant, enough loyal fans to buy the big expensive package or to donate.
AJ: The novelty of the marketing maneuver has worn off. Yes, this is hardly a model for the industry at large: there was a guaranteed, rabid fan base for this record that exists for only a handful of major acts. For Christ's sake, they're even releasing it on CD after all - through a major label! But they've taken advantage of their situation to put the focus squarely back on the music, and been transparent and equitable with their fans. Talent speaks for itself.
