Radiohead

The Soundwaves Vinyl of the Week is In Rainbows by Radiohead.

 

At first glance, you might just see the title of this album and band name repeated in different colors on the cover. But in fact, some of the words and letters are separated by spaces, slash marks or underscores. One might even think they were deliberately…shifted.

 

The album cover designer noted that he was going for a toxic rainbow effect, coinciding with the band's musical shift on this album towards warmer, yet still complex and emotionally turbulent songs. Underneath the lettering, he manipulated composite images of solar flares from NASA’s image archive among using other artistic processes.

 

I can’t say that I like everything that Radiohead has ever released. I can however appreciate when a band embarks on a new path, shifting away from dense, electronic paranoia toward something far more organic and direct. 

 

I was immediately intrigued by how they managed to make something so complex feel so inviting, kicking off with the driving intensity of "15 Step" and the infectious ear worm groove of "Bodysnatchers." Pouring out your soul into such limited space, yet making it feel expansive at the same time is what differentiates them from other alt-rock acts, particularly on a track like "Nude," which showcases Thom Yorke’s vocal range that is absolutely haunting and unmatched.

 

I particularly enjoyed the back half of this vinyl album more than Side A. It seems to elevates the listening experience further, anchored by harmonies that ground the experimental textures in raw, timeless melodies. From the string heavy "Faust Arp" that gave me Elliott Smith type feels to the deep synth on "All I Need," to the minimalist beauty and echoed drums of "Videotape”, you get a little bit of everything. 

 

In my opinion, this record is a milestone for Radiohead, regardless of how many times they have reinvented their sound. This album is for those of you who want to veer away from the radio hits and experience something a little deeper.