'In Rainbows' by Radiohead
Trotter’s Top Ten position : 4 in 2007
UK Chart high : 1 in 2007
So, not really a surprise to find a Radiohead album in the Top Ten, but perhaps a bit of a one in that it's 'In Rainbows'. It's also a shame that most of the chatter about the record focussed on the 'pay what you like' electronic release rather than the actual music. As it turned out I paid £4.50 for it online and then bought the bloomin' thing when it was physically released a few months later - which must be why the poor music industry wasn't immediately killed by their rash actions. I also couldn't stand the sanctimony spouted by middling artists seeking press exposure who accused Radiohead of recklessly starting something that would mean bands yet to make it would have to give away their music for free and live in poverty (or audition for X Factor). Neither of which actually happened. So, back to the music. I love this record perhaps almost as much as 'OK Computer', which is odd because I wouldn't say it has any absolute classic Radiohead songs on it. In fact, if asked to pick my favourite tracks of their's from the 00's, I doubt many would come from this album. All of which probably has you asking why it's so high up the chart then. Simple really, ten excellent tracks that complement each other, with none of the bizarre wig-outs that other Radiohead albums are prone to. That said, there's still plenty of experimenting, it just seems that every note played is there for a reason. One of those reasons might be that apparently several of these tracks had been hanging around for years, with the band unsure of how to complete them until finally road-testing them on tour rather than head-scratching labouriously in the studio. In the case of 'Videotape' it's just as well they figured out what to do with it considering that the noun will be pretty much obsolete soon! Musically, they start with another strong opening, the clattering, beat-driven '15 Step' with its pondering 'You used to be alright. What happened?' and little children's choir at the end (yep, on a Radiohead track) followed by the electric guitar-laden 'Bodysnatchers' - one of the heaviest things they've done in years. Next comes 'Nude' a beautifully tender song where you can literally here the atmosphere change after the intro - I mean how many bands actually make silence a musical instrument? Then we're back into dance/jazz drumming territory with the hypnotic 'Weird Fishes/Arpeggi' and so on. They manage to constantly shift the mood of the album whilst maintaining a fantastically high level of quality throughout, ending with the mournful 'Videotape' - a story of a man's last will and testament committed to VHS where once again the silence speaks volumes - and that's why we're at Number Seven and why Radiohead have been the best band of the decade. But it's not why I can't share any audio delights with you...that unfortunately is because this album's not on Spotify (sad face).
Look at Jigsaw Falling Into Place ; Nude ; House of Cards ; Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
Listen to a sampling of the Top Fifty on Spotify as we go or the 'one from each album' version
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