In Rainbows, by Radiohead (CD on XL)

Description:	CD on XL	UK ORDERS OVER £50 SHIP FREE!
Format:	CD
Label:	XL
Price:	£10.99
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What we say

Rating: ecstatic This record left our Phil feeling ecstatic.

OK it's a reasonably well known fact that I'm a bit of a Radiohead fanboy. I think pretty much all of their output with the exception of the 1st album which is shit has been really strong and each album has taken them a step forwards in some way. The music has progressed and they got to the ridiculously confident point of following OK Computer (widely lauded as one of the greatest albums of all time) with 2 experimental albums. Both Kid A and Amnesiac still do it for me way more than any other Radiohead album but I think that's where my head is at. That takes balls I reckon. So onto In Rainbows which you've probably downloaded for cack all so you know what it's like already. I plummed for the discobox cos it sounded too sexy to pass up on. Though I was arsed off they said a physical version wouldn't be available 'til 2008 yet they chose to release it on 31st December. Maybe I'm nitpicking but 40 quid seems a lot to spend on something.
Anyway In Rainbows is by far the least adventurous Radiohead album of recent years. Though it builds on past strengths and relies on great tunes rather than experimentation (though bits of that hang lurking in the background if you listen closely). Am listening with headphones now and it's doing much more for me being immersed in the whole thing. About 60% of this album is amazing which by today's standards of 1 or 2 good tunes chucked onto an album is no mean feat. The forthcoming single Jigsaw Falling Into Place is the jewel in the crown here as it's (put very simply) brilliant. Stick with it anyway cos it grows and you'll have hidden gems revealed. So if you're yearning for Radiohead to adopt a more simplistic approach, this has got your name written all over it (we can write your name on it if that adds to the effect..).

What the label says:

The most talked about album of the year finally gets a full release.
“The strongest collection of songs the band has assembled for a decade” – The Guardian.
“In Rainbows’ is the sound of a band who effortlessly straddle the avant garde/popular divide, and also sound like they actually enjoy being themselves again. They’re back at the top of their game” – bbc.co.uk.
“No wasted moments, no weak tracks: just primo Radiohead” – Rolling Stone.
“As bitterly magnificent as the band’s best works” – New York Times.
“The album proves itself to be what we all thought Radiohead couldn’t make again: a masterpiece” – Pop Matters.
“It’s as brazen, bold and brilliant as anything it’s done thus far. It’s as vital as anything the band has done” – No Ripcord.
“Radiohead have made their most well-behaved, classically structured album since ‘OK Computer” – Uncut.
“It’s dreamy, eerie, epic, soaring, soothing, very occasionally manic... and more” – Hot Press.
“In Rainbows may be the gentlest, prettiest Radiohead set yet” – Entertainment Weekly.