The First “In Rainbows” Review: Because Actually Hearing The Album Is Completely Beside The Point

I’ve been wondering for the past few days just exactly when Radiohead’s In Rainbows was going to make its way out to the world–would the download code land in peoples’ inboxes at midnight GMT/7 p.m. ET tomorrow? Would the release be staggered to each purchaser’s time zone?–and, since reviewers wouldn’t be sent promos, which media outlet would be the first to review the record. Well, the UK student weekly Student Direct has won the “first asshole on the block” competition as far as I can see^*, writing a “review” of the album that’s completely based on an anecdote from the unnamed writer’s mother and a YouTube clip or two:

My review below, it was more difficult than I thought, although I’ve heard rough mixes, it was difficult to get a feel for the album, as it’s not mixed together, well I’ll have a better idea on 10th October, anyway enjoy.

‘Good things, come to those who wait’ that’s what my mum said to me as a child and it’s so true upon hearing Radiohead’s long-awaited new LP ‘In Rainbows.’

‘In Rainbows’ is similar to ‘Hail to the Thief’ in its conception of mixing styles and sounds developed during the recording of The Bends, Ok Computer, and Kid A/Amnesiac. From the opening bars of the ‘Idiotequesque’ ’15 Step’ to the final bars of the majestic ‘Videotape’, there is a vast array of genres and styles to feast upon.

Although Thom’s lyrics seem to be from the Coldplay school of writing, the simplicity of song such as ‘All I Need’ a piano ballad building to an emphatic crescendo and the long awaited release of the swing-jazz influenced ‘Nude’ left over from Ok Computer make up for them.

‘In Rainbows’ is available to download from Radiohead.com from 10th October for as little or as much as you want to pay for it.

And then the writer goes on to say that “Videotape”–one of the four songs said writer’s apparently heard–is the pick of the litter. (Hear that, bloggers who are no doubt already sharpening your e-pencils?) I’d say more about this review, and how I can’t even tell if it’s taking the piss on bloggers and the culture of “First!” because it’s written in a sub-message-board style, but my eye is stuck on the word “Idiotequesque,” which looks like a 10-car pileup on the highest-scoring Scrabble board of all time.

Album Review: Radiohead – In Rainbows [Student Direct; HT ig1234]

^* If you see another, though, feel free to point it out in comments.