mrshl | blog

Radiohead’s 7th. Pretty. Fun. and… Unpretentious.

As you know, I ordered Radiohead’s new record, and today I downloaded it. That process was a little bumpy because I tried to use my download manager (Down Them All), and received an error message. When I contacted Radiohead’s customer support link, I received an instantaneous e-mail response (I’m not exaggerating) with a new link that worked perfectly.

Now I’m listening. It’s my second time through. I’m not going to tell you my fave tracks or bore you with detailed observations. I love music, and this record just invites me to love it. I can’t help myself. There will be haters. There will be people who are bored and disdainful. I don’t care about these people. I’m sure they are having a valid listening experience. Feel free to tell me about it.

This is what I say:

Radiohead have made a record that learns from and synthesizes all their experiences making music. Past recordings seemed a little too consumed with learning the process (Amnesiac) or fighting their process (Hail to the Thief). With In Rainbows, it sounds like they’ve reconciled their will to invent with the comfort and sense of purpose that envelops you once you realize a rock band is only a rock band.

In Rainbows is a record I want to listen to over and over again. It hits my pleasure centers. It might say something interesting or important, but I won’t hear that for weeks and weeks because the f**king hooks are in the way.

Radiohead is a band that discovered a new country. Then realized lots of people were already living there. Then, they said, “let’s make some music we enjoy. We hope you like it.” And that’s what rock bands do. It happens all the time.

It’s happened again.

You should get this at whatever price. And enjoy it. It’s not a miracle or anything. It’s what happens when a rock band makes a really good record and demonstrates some pride and some confidence.