NEW RADIOHEAD ALBUM: FIRST LISTEN

keith Phillips [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:03

Just listened to Nude, is everything we have waited 10 years to hear recorded properly

sparkky [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:13

me likey

Luke Shaw [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:14

Thank god for me having hte day off work today, and thank god for my girlfirend for buying this for me...

Jon King [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:17

amazing, i have had 2 listens now all tracks are so lush and full of sound, disappointments videotape i think is slightly over cooked and the album is not long enough, bangers n mash and spooks could have got on. but god this puts the cat amongst the coldplay & snow patrol pigeons.

Basil Brush [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:19

Is there something wrong with my download or are all those clicks and pops supposed to be there...?

Ian [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:19

Beautiful and moving record. Thom's voice better than ever.

Dale Maxfield [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:19

Nude is my personal favorite. In my opinion, this album gets a 10/10, merely because it would be cheating to give it more than 10.

delightfully_quirky [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:22

where's my damn activation code?? i want to hear this album SO much :(

Robinho [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:23

As always it'll take a little listening to get the album completely but heard it twice and it's really very good....again I second the positive vibes over the track 'Nude'

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:23

I just listened to Videotape and am thoroughly disappointed...Compared to the live performances that can be viewed on Youtube this version pales in comparison. Instead of building up its pace, it continues to drag, and never really hits the crescendo one expects... I also had some qualms with House of Cards (Jamie, the version on Youtube was definitely better), but other that that, this was a brilliant album. The best one since Ok Computer.

john walliss [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:27

paid them a quid and think i might ask for a refund. I was hoping that everything that they did post OK Computer was a way of taking the p&$£ out of the record company, but obviously not. Shockingly bad (and only 160kps!!!)

geno [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:27

sounds amazing tho bit silly to try and judge a radiohead record on first listen they always creep up on u- faust arp is really interesting the only song ive not heard b4- a touch of beatles blackbirds in there?!

Anon [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:28

All I Need is sooo great and the album is amazing too, really worth the wait

Dan [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:28

I hate to do this but after my first listen I agree with the Videotape comments, seeing them play it live last year was amazing - I'm not sure what's happened with the finished version. Saying that, it's still one of my fave songs of all time already. Reckenor is the same - not as hard and rocky as the live versions. I think this album will sound amazing through headphones, can't wait to finish work and get home and listen to it properly! Sounds great.

Paul Lewis [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:29

On 2nd Listen ,my god its beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:30

great great album, but I agree they killed videotape - they've stripped away everything that made it so good, guitars, bass - live version from last year is 100 times better than this....

Dan [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:32

Anyone know where I can get a jpg of the artwork?

Nauwiesbande [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:32

Great album so far, but I just heard it thrice. So we have to wait for at least a month to say for sure, if that’s another classic-to-be or not.

stuart [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:33

agree with everything above. ecept... i love the darkness of this videotape version. whole album is awesome. bring on cd2.

wwtannat [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:33

I think Videotape is great and maybe i hoped a different version, but was modificated as a final album song and sounds amazing. I love it as the rest of the album. Definitely a top RH album.

Nick [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:33

Very impressed, reckoner is just beautiful. Like a couple of other people here i am disappointed with videotape. The live versions last year with the dramatic change in tempo were awesome, whats with the wierd plodding drums on this version. Only thing that lets down a great album.

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:34

Oh my god, what have they done to videotape!! so disappointed... such a shame, otherwise beautiful album

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:34

no activation code yet disapointed

poor me [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:35

still no code... ive been refreshin hotmail for ages

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:35

i don't think anyone saw Reckoner coming. the only thing that is the same is the title. absolutely beautiful song. the entire album feels etheral and sublime.

Andras K. [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:36

Guys, this album is greatgreatgreat, good to hear something again inspiring and fantastic piece of work. Thanks Radiohead!

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:39

sounds wonderful - i mean actually inspiring.

Lars [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:39

Videotape is more interesting now I think. More minimalistic, with strange effects.. Fantastic album!

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:39

Still waiting for mycode too!!!!

Nedko [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:41

Does anybody really think they will ever record anything as great as The Bends or OK Computer again? Some great songs on this one though - Nude is the best, also 15 Step, Jigsaw. I keep listening with my earphones on, taking them off every time my boss passes by :)

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:42

Love Jonny Greenwoods guitar work on 15 Steps, very jazzy. This album is definitely easier to listen to than the last 3. on the 3rd listen and enjoying the weirdness of it all!! Videotape could have been better, also I do prefer the live version on All I Need but the album versions are stiull amazing....abd Radiohead are just an amazing live band anyway!1 amazing album

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:44

For People who don't think there email has come....check you Junk mail, thats where mine was

Mimeartist [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:44

I'm so pleased Nude is on there... wish it had the cool instrumental at the end like on 'meeting people is easy' that would make it really powerful... Also 'Big Boots' from that documentary; has that ever been released?

jake [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:44

the more i listen to it the more it amazes me. even songs like jigsaw and videotape that i was originally a bit disappointed compared to the live versions, have started to really sink in. nude is simply incredible. beautiful

Nick [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:46

Those waiting for activation code - check your junk mail, thats where mine was !!!!

Chris Draper [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:47

On the first play through I'd say Arpeggi and Reckoner are divine highlights. Time for a second listen.

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:47

check you spam if you're waiting for your code. that's where all my inrainbows mail went. the album was strange on first listen. didn't like bodysnatchers at all. second listen was amazing. then heard it on headphones. and it took. me. some faves, weird fishes, reckoner, faust arp, house of cards. hard to figure out the diffrent songs yet. next time they should go experimental again. but over all in its length it's distilled, like hail to the thief should have been.

Ramu Indrasimhan [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:47

Despite my initial comments, I must admit House of Cards isn't as bad as I thought...The song arrangement on this album is incredible, it just flows so well...Like someone else said on another board its almost as if the album is one long track...

DaveCadwallader [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:48

outstanding, at both times a leap in their creativity and distinctly radiohead; its now on the ipod for the walk to work

Jason [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:50

After reading some of the dissapointment of the studio version of this song here, I went and listened to the live version of of this song from the Rolling Stone sneak peak. And beleive it or not, I was actually more dissapointed with the lvie version, since I was expecting there to be some sort of massive climax at the end, with roaring guitars and everything, based on descriptions I've heard. But that wasn't the case at all, at least imo. It seemed like, in the middle of the live version, the drums and bass came in and played a straight-ahead (almost plodding) beat, and there were a few more synthesizers and gutiar echo added, but by the end they grew quieter and eventually faded off instead of reaching a crescendo like I expected. If anything, the drums and bass didn't really add that much to the song; in fact, it sort of held the song back a bit. And I didn't really here that much guitar either, to be honest. But I actually think the studio version's middle section, with the piano, background vocals, drum pattern, synthesizer and that effect in the left channel do a better job of building tension than the more straight-ahead live version. Plus I like how this version focuses more on the piano melody, especially in the beginning. The live version had some synth at the beginning that buried it and made it less prominent, and served as more of a distraction, at least to me.

Joe [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:52

Just finished listening to for the first time. Already think it's beautiful! It really belongs to Jonny Greenwood this album, with the orchestral movements. At the moment, am slightly disappointed with Videotape, as if they'd kept it like it was like for the first Hammersmith show, it could have been their best song ever. But a minor complaint, as it's still a brilliant song on a brilliant album Probably the best album I've heard all year! Am now going to listen again with headphones...

Mal [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:53

Blown away, on my 3rd listen right thru now.. just gets better and better with every listen. Nude is glorious. Everything i hoped for and more, can't wait for the discbox now to rip it at lossless tho..

dave [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:57

ive listened to it once on headphones. its absolutely incredible!!! nude is the most beautiful song ive ever heard. House of cards is just plain tripppy. i think videotape will grow on me. radiohead's best album? could well be

nicholas [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:58

Finally, we have a recorded version of 15-step and the wait was indeed worth it. Featuring a fantastically rave worthy outro similar a la sitdownstandup. Bodysnatchers really does have a driving rhythm and is definitely Greenwoods chance to have it large on the guitar. This track reminds me of the more lively parts of Paranoid Android and I recon this is primed for a single release. Nude is quite bare. After a warped intro it fades into contemplation and I would say is better suited to an evening. Upping the tempo with Weird fishes/Arpeggi features Yorke's blissfully incoherent song. Trying hard to find a meaning in this track I failed miserably something about getting 'eaten by worms.' All i need is heart warming. Oh i do love a bit of xylophone action. Faust arp? Fist up? I don't know. Pseudo-german's not my strong point. Or maybe a reference to Faust the astronomer - you know, the guy who sold his soul to the devil. The delicate lick on the reckoner reminds me of 'scar tissue.' Yet with the atmosphere of Mozart playing Brian Eno in St. Pauls cathedral. House of cards has a nice hum to it. Jigsaw Falling Into Place is like dominos falling. A gushing meander through radioville. Videotape is a fitting ending to an album I didn't want to wait for, would've paid for, wanted to smile to. But didn't. Conclusion? The 'head have done it again - created an album that is intrinsically theirs yet at the same time worlds apart. Today has been the 'perfect day?'

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 10:58

hey if you are on hotmail and waiting for your code, check your junk mail inbox thing, thats where I found mine...this is defo their most listenable album since Ok Computer. Videotape is even better now, it'll really grow on you. 15 Step and Bodysnatchers share a kind of ace jazzy/blues groove. House of Cards, Reckoner and Nude really are some of the most beautiful songs they've recorded to date. It sounds as if they've relaxed in their approach in writing and recording this, and the album sounds all the better for it.

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:05

If you are waiting for your code, check out your junk mail. Mine as hiding in there

matt s [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:06

4 listens in - this is amazing - wasnt convinced listening to it thru laptop speakers - but put headphones on it blows you away - video tape - nude - reconer - house of cards are amazing - but you definatley have to listen to the whole album in order to get a feel for it, job well done thom and co!

Lucyfur [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:12

Never wanted to hear or ruin my first listen with the live versions, so with that said...the highlights and outstanding tracks for me were: Nude, All I Need, House of Cards, and Videotape. Weird Fishes was also great. I'm sure the rest of 'em will grow on me with repeated listenings...now I'll have to go check out the live YouTube stuff, but come on people. Less is more with Videotape.

Mke [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:15

This is a boring record with a very "Samey" sound. Not every band can write strong material like Pink Floyd did in their late 30's. Is this rock? It certainly isn't adventurous on any level. Sounds like everything else they have been making since Amnesiac.

the bends [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:15

This is a corker of an album, have listened to it 6 times already , I just can't get enough. I'm really glad this is miles better than hail to the theif which was quite weak imo. I think that because of the style of release the album will go down in history, there was a danger that ther quality wouldn't match the hype but it has. So for the next one you think they will give it away free to those that made a a certain payment this time, or maybe free if you have seen them live? and finally the 10 minutes of nude/weirdfishes is probally the best 10 mins radiohead have ever put together, all in all kudos to the and

Tim [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:15

It's georgeous. Not groundbreaking like Kid A/Amnesiac were, but from a couple of listens of these MP3's it is their most beautiful and consistently good album yet. Jonny Greenwood has done a wonderful job orchestrating the songs. The vinyl version is going to be stunning.

John [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:20

Its all growing on me but i do prefer the live version of videotape. Arpeggi sounds great!

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:21

still nothing, never before have i wanted junk mail so much

gil [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:22

This album is amazing!!! only on my first listen and from knowing radiohead i can tell it will just get better. It sounds like a combination between OKC and HTTT. I really like what they did with Reckoner, The live version was much less impressive. I hoped they will finish Videotape like Thom did in 'Cymbal rush' in his solo album. The best are Nude, Bodysnatchers, Arpeggi, and jigsaw RADIOHEAD please come to israel...

J-Log [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:27

AND how much did NME pay for the download?

bobby [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:28

videotape is confusing. i love it! its like they are actually saying goodbye. it feels more real than i would have imagined. everyone as i expected this huge climax... thats just what they didnt give you. they leave you wanting more!!! and i want more!!! this album as a whole, feels like a goodbye :(

Mr Spenalzo [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:28

LOL @ "Shockingly bad (and only 160kps!!!) " comment... reminds me of that quote (from a Woody Allen film I believe) about a restaurant: "the food was horrible! And such small portions!" Listening to the album now, like it!

David C [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:31

A Radiohead album you don't have to try really, really hard to like!!! Strangely it reminds me of Forever Changes. I think its going to be a great Sunday morning record.

John Galantini [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:32

In breif: Most of the songs are as we know them and well done. My heart dropped with videotape - the song i was most looking forward to - what the FUCK have they done? Someone tell me this album is just a load of demos and the real thing is coming in december?? please? anyone? i am extemely disapointed - not "Kid a" disapointed - i loved kid a. and everything else. this just doesn't justify the wait. they done the oposite to bob dylan and murdered their songs in the studio, following outstanding live performances.

Aminder [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:43

i quite like videotape. i think that its more obvious, and sounds like a record recorded by guys in there 30's. its played safe in some respects, drums are sublime and chiming guitars. no mega shremaster distortion :(. its like how i imagined it. you can never put it in the same league as ok computer, that was an album that was writtin in a contained bubble late at night when us rich and complacent people sleep. its a fresh listen from all the retro throwbacks out now, but then again they do have the money and equipment to do whtever they want. warm fuzzy different yet the same

Ramu Indrasimhan [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:47

John Galantini, I think Videotape will take a lil getting used to. I'm slowly starting to appreciate it, you just have to accept it for what it is...I think as someone else said, Radiohead is trying to leave you unsatisfied with Videotape, almost as if you know theres more, but they're refusing to let you have it... As for the other tracks I think they've been done very well. I initially did not like the studio version of House of cards, but now I've noticed that the instrumentals are a tad better than the chorus they had going for the live performances. How many times have you listened to it? Trust me it'll grow on you...

Will Cook [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:49

After reading all comment just concur, Videotape was dissappointing but still good in context. Reckoner, Arpeggi, Jigsaw Falling, Faust Arp are all amazing. 15 Step again is really really justified from the live versions i have heard. was worried about it but that was put to rest. And there is nothing that can be said about Nude. Impossible to describe. definitely worth the wait

opus43 [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:49

truly wonderful album. 3rd listen now. can't decide which are my favourites yet....that's how good it is! i too have heard all the live versions and saw them perform them live on the second night of london hammersmith. i think it is how can i say..'incorrect' to compare the songs to the live versions. a band has to take a completely different approach to perform songs live. i'll bet when they perform their new songs live in the not too distant future (ticket mayhem!) it's likely they will sound not alot different to the previous live versions. anyway the album has lived up to my expectations..thanks radiohead! the worlds a better place with you in it..

pedro [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:55

If you don't like the album version of videotape, just wait for the bonnaroo dvd live version.

Alex Jenkins [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:55

AMAZING..... TRUELY AMAZING... living in Aus we havn't seen them for a long time, so havn't heard any of it... Just cascades over you... I think Beautiful is the word I would use for this Radiohead album. AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL. Thank you Thank you Thank you!! and get of VIDEOTAPES case, I think it is the highlight!! it's about the lyrics, not the ending...

Hamad [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:58

Very impressed. Well worth the wait. I've only listened to it once and all the songs are new to me beacuase i havent seen them live in ages. I think this will be one of their best records. Great work guys and thanks

Femke [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 11:58

Still no activation code, I feel frustrated. If the album were a normal disc I would be listening to it right now. Nothing in my junkmail, and no answer from customers service.

matt [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:01

Fucking Amazing, All that i need class,as is the whole 10 tracks roll on Dec 3.All you Doubters fuck off and listen to snow patrol and coldplay.

OvertheRainbow [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:04

I haven't heard it yet somehow I have a feeling that I know what it will sound like. The same tunless rubbish as all their post Ok Computer albums.

craig [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:05

videotape isn't all that bad!! thom's version for from the basement is the best though!! it is missing something i feel but if the radiohead are happy then i'm happy!! alll i need is amazing, 8/10

Steve [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:07

'Hail to the Thief' has been slated over the last 4 years by Radiohead fans for its crummy, flat production. By comparison, 'In Rainbows' makes it sound like Phil Spector. Yet again, Nigel Godrich has sucked all the life & energy from Radiohead’s beautiful songs. I honestly can’t think of a single other band this exciting whose music has been so drastically undermined on a technical level. The whole thing sounds like it was recorded in a cupboard with Phil Selway lightly tapping a shoebox instead of his drumkit & Thom Yorke keeping his voice down in case he disturbs the neighbours. Everything here just sounds so unbelievably FLAT! ‘Videotape’ in particular is just abysmal; Yorke sounds terrible. But the most upsetting thing is that, while ‘Hail to the Thief’’s shortcomings could be explained away by its remarkably quick recording process, ‘In Rainbows’ took Radiohead 2 years to make, & quite frankly I can’t think of any excuses for its unmitigated lousiness. I’ve never heard Radiohead sound so bored & lifeless, & I’ve never heard such a high profile album sound this bad. Fuck you Godrich. Fuck you....

sonny treacle [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:07

Same maudlin tripe. No wonder they had to create the gimmick of letting us make up our minds how much to pay. that will deflect from the fact that this is mediocre bedroom noodling student stuff.Life's miserable enough without this twaddle. Let's rock!

Chris from Stoke Fleming [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:14

Etheral,sublime and deeply gorgeous. Left me dumbfounded and grinning like a baboon. Genius.

Andy [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:16

Its just phenomenal! theres some nice dub and d&b influences in there and johnny's work with the bbc gets some representation. Videotape is a great ending - the end is really nice and understated and interesting; why would anyone be disappointed that its different from when they play it live i have no idea; its nice to have two versions. All I Need is just the coolest thing ever.

stuart willoughby [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:18

activation code arrived in my junkmail, so look out for that. downloaded at 9am this morning, whacked it onto a disc by 9.05 and it hasnt stopped playing yet. its after 12. pretty much faultless. weird fishes, all i need and house of cards standouts. a beautiful album, proper songs, no "noodling", 45 mins long. perfect.

Rich [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:19

Utterly Brilliant and compeling !!!!!

James [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:20

Only a few songs in but it sounds fantastic, a bit like the Eraser meets Kid A. Shame its only 160kbps when theycould have gone for 320 which is a bit odd. I think we can only judge this after a few weeks and a few listens to let it settle in

Stefano [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:21

First listen. Strange impression. Not so good as expected. Second listen. Great. Absolutely great. A Radiohead album is never easy to digest.

stu [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:24

chris martin must be as sick as a bastard this morning......oh well, back to the drawing board chris....who would have thought neon bible woulda been topped this year?

triple_six [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:24

Love it, love it, love it! It's beautiful as it's amazing. Nothing bad to say bout this one. Now I can't wait for my discbox to arrive : )

decislav [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:25

house of cards your favourite? idiot.

chris [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:25

check your junk mail ppl if you have hotmail account, you should have radiohead email activation code

Simon Stark [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:28

what happened to arpeggi and videotape?! :( they were my favourite songs and they had to go do a radiohead on them :(

David [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:29

Oh dear - having read the comments above it seems a lot of people are loving this album because it's Radiohead and 'cool' to do so, rather than for the actual quality of it. The fact is the album is poor, if this album was the output from a new band as a first album it would be slated. What a shame.

kida/mnesiac [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:30

a better review than bbc anyway...'my favourite RH album is still pablo honey'....idiot. overall this album is good, but not in the league of OKC or Kid A. I'd probably give it an 8, would have been a 9 if they'd actually bothered to record Videotape properly

Red [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:30

Was the anticipation, the staying up all night(east coast US) ...was it all worth it? Definitely. Radiohead offered us(in one of the most revolutionary ways) their most accesible and beautiful album to date. I am happy the wait was worth it. Slightly disappointed over Videotape, but not enough to cast a shadow over it. Amazing.

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:33

to all people without activation codes (and im one of them unfortunately) they're playing the album out on xfm now

Cat [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:35

How unbelievably beautiful! I found my activation code nestling in my junkmail and have just listened to the whole album at work. Highlights on first listen are Nude and House of Cards. Very pleased that The Eraser is coming through strongly, love that. Have to listen again now!

FatSimon [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:38

So far (at 08:07, on first listen) it's the tracks I didn't like live that are the ones that sound best in the studio - 15step, Nude, Arpeggi are all awesome, but I'm less keen on the studio version of Jigsaw Falling Into Place Fuck, it's awesome, but hey, what did we expect...it's very far from an indie rock album, but in a different way than Kid A was very far from an indie rock album, it's much more coherent than Kid A/Amnesiac were on first listen...take Amnesiac, add Mezzanine, remove the dub... Stunning. Has any British act since Bowie produced such a string of strong albums? Some are stronger than others, sure...

tj [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:40

pure ear candy;love it

Antony [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:40

Well worth the wait for me. 15 Step, Nude, Jigsaw are the stan-outs so far. On my second listen and have found the groove in it alot more than on first listen. A little dissapointed by Videotape but i have a feeling it'll grow on me. There are some quite ridiculously early reviews online.

gg [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:41

i'm a bit disappointed with Arpeggi. They should have kept the drums as it is in the live version seen on Youtube. And yeah, it would be much better, if there weren't no guitars, but the version Jonny And Thom played in the Ether Festival.

Chris [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:43

As a longtime fan, I'm really pleased with this album. It's consistently good, but the middle section: unbelievably good. I really like all the Thom harmonizing with Thom, and Phil Selway ... the man gets no love! His drumming ties the whole tracklist together. With regard to Videotape, I'm kind of disheartened by all the violent knee-jerk reactions. Maybe I'm too complacent, but I think the question to ask is not "This is different from what I expected, why don't I like this?" In the case of a band like Radiohead, the question to ask is "This is different from the live version, why did Thom & Co. make the changes they did for the studio version?" You have to trust their intuitions and their decisions on how to record a song, especially when they've been working on this album for such a LONG time. I like both versions of Videotape, and I'm glad I have two different takes. They're illuminating in different ways.

Carly [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:47

Beautiful....this album is definitly worth the wait!

Dave in Stoke [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:51

Very disappointing - confirms what Kid A and Amnesiac hinted at - Radiohead either can't or won't write memorable songs any more. Lazy, technology dependent trash with no soul. Glad it was free!

massimo portelli [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 12:56

Ive listened to it at least 6 times already cause it isnt really long. I t has a positive feel compared to the previous 3 albums, and I had a listen to kid A,Amnesiac,Ok computer,The bends and Hail to the theif yesterday and I must say that I compare this to Ok Computer as a real favourite. I like the way each song is layered and has an orchestral feel and each song has something new to discover.Radiohead...its been emotional.

Kieren [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:02

I've just spent 40 minutes making loopholes in my school's Intranet so I can get it here first...and the sites too slow! Fecking Sandown High School...

Chris [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:03

Listen to Videotape under the impression that it is relaxing and beautiful, and not epic. I was disappointed at first but it truly is a brilliant way to end the album. This album is pure gold. Try listening to House of Cards when you're not fully concentrating on it, it's so chilled out.

Wooot [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:07

Well, I like it.

Will Davenport [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:07

space jazz wank tosh.... crap, shit...bollocks

honeyrococo [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:09

I'm on my second listen with the earphones switched around this time. I think so far I like Faust Arp best, but I never seem to like the same song that everyone else does. I'm also not a comparer. I think each of their albums is so different and yet all Radiohead. I am sorry that we don't have more good creators of music in this world. I guess I'll go listen to Videotape on YouTube and see what all the Sturm und Drang on this board is about. Personally, je l'adore !

Moin [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:10

Very long time fan here, and the verdict....excellent! From the very first moment I loved it, which doesn’t usually happen with Radiohead albums. But as soon as 15 step kicked in, I knew I was in for a treat. The first half is especially brilliant, and the Nude/Arpeggi section is just unbelievably good….definitely ranks with the best stuff they’ve ever done. The album also seems to fit together very well and has a common style, which HTTF didn’t really have. Only one disappointment though…..Videotape!! This was the track I was most looking forward to on the whole album….and they go and muck it up big time! I wish I could meet Thom in person and just ask him what he was thinking doing it that way. But anyway, fantastic album.

jamie smith [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:12

Right.. here is a cover I have designed today using the payment details, really, and no really from the website. I like it hope you do..100 downloads only I'm afraid..be Quick. Has booklet front (4sides) and double sided back cover. any coments welcome http://download.yousendit.com/8B69B60E1E73D16B jamie smith (London)

dazza [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:15

been trying to download the bloody thing all morning but getting a 'too many downloads' message. is anyone else suffering from this?!

stuart [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:16

i just realised bodysnatchers is what u2 would sound like if they had the balls. to all the people who arent happy with videotape...why dont you cry about it? this albums gonna be playing non stop for the next week in my house!!

Christopher [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:17

Reckoner.... sweet god that is one incredible song

Mike [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:19

Its excellent and so musical. I don't agree with the smart-ass comments above about some tracks not being good enough. I'm just so thankful that we have these guys on the planet creating all this wonderful music and being so generous with it. I shall now listen to it again for the fourth time...

james blunt [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:20

thom yorke is SOOOOOO middle of the road...buy MY new cd instead, it fucken ROCKS!!!

Adrian Young [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:20

woooop! what an awesome album, hints of chilli esque vocals in faust arp, and sounds beatley and beta bandy.. so not what i was expecting.. reckoner is vastly better than the metally versions they played live, thought the album was plain weird to start with but on my 6th listen i think its possibly my 2nd or 3rd favourite head album.. every song is so strong!

Ad [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:20

Listening now - how amazing is Reckoner on first listen?! Was not expecting that..!!! Thom sounds like a fucking angel. Scared about getting to Videotape cos that was one of my live faves and everyone is slagging it off!

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:21

Radiohead has progressed in sound. Amazing record, well produced.

Tom Nangle [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:22

The last track is devastating...

Thom Yorke [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:25

oh noooo man, all these people dissing my creation. I cant cope.. I might have to kill myself, hang on... i'll put on my depressing music to accompany my suicide... ahhhh heaven. URRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!

Matt [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:27

Are you people trying to get a job writing reviews for the NME? I can't understand a word of some of them. Its a fucking brilliant album...ALL OF IT!!!

ben [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:29

ok one thing first... GET THE FUCK OVER VIDEOTAPE i actually think this version is better, stripped down, and emotionally and atmospherically its brilliant

stu [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:32

ive made a cd cover and booklet from the download and payment details screens too. its awesome, as is the album. well done lads, faith restored succesfully. 10/10.

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:38

Still waiting for code (not even in junk mail). No reply from radiohead!!!

Jeff Taylor - NYC [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:40

Really got prepared for this release; restored a borrowed iPod to its factory settings, downloaded 'In Rainbows,' dragged it onto the otherwise-empty device, went back to bed for an hour to listen to the new Radiohead Album: Eh... I dunno what I think yet. Jeff

Simon [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:41

FInally, the true follow up to Kid A.....4 1/2 stars.

CJB [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:42

Four listens already while working away at my computer. I have chills throughout my body. Beautiful, haunting, perfect! Puts me in a trance and takes me to another place.

A Million Years [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:42

The songs are amazing, and translated very well. I still need to spend time with Reckoner and Videotape but I didn't dislike them so hopefully I'll like them more. I think what surprises me most is the production. It's almost lo-fi compared to what they've done in the past. I don't think I've ever felt this close to the performance on a Radiohead record. I like that a lot.

Kev [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:43

I've been listening to in rainbows since about 9am and the more i hear it i love it! the arrangements and the order of the songs are flawless! As for videotape I like what they done with it. they kept it way thom yorke done it in ''from the basement'' it makes a great end to the album they avoided the obvious big climaxing end and kept it simple the songs that good it didn't need to be tampered with anyway! so everyone shut up... half of you moaning C**** probably didn't even pay a penny for the album!

robotfish [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:43

Brilliant, again. 15 Step and Videotape are remarkable bookends but the real jewel is Reckoner. What a song. The album is much more coherent than the last two.

Lars [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:46

Whats most impressive about this record is that this band has created Kid A and OK Computer..

mark chambers [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:48

10 out of 10, cant fault it, it sounds fresh, his voice sounds ace!!! we love u Radiohead come on do a tour!!!!!!!!!!! hip hip hooray a bit of excitement in music, diamonds in a sea of indie shit

visitor [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:48

Works for me.

ben and lucieeeeeeee [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:53

this album is simply delightful :P

Kenny Dikas [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:57

The album is brilliant. In regards to the negative Videotape comments, I think people are forgetting how to listen to an album. Try to listen to "Videotape" as if you were hearing it for the first time (which is half-true because you've never heard the song in its proper context, the whole album) instead of comparing it to the concert version, which stands better alone as an individual song. But this version fits the album better. All that aside, I don't think people realize how subtle the new sound is. People have been comparing it to their other albums which is of course appropriate, but there's something new here. It's at once tighter and looser than their other stuff; a new kind of flexibility that's really quite lovely. It's apparent from the FANTASTIC opening track "15 Step" to the end of the album. A few random observations: "Reckoner" is a miracle. I really like this album. I've realized Radiohead is my favorite band and that I'll include their songs on the CD mixes I make my future children and wife. "In Rainbows" turns Radiohead into legends. Thom Yorke still looks like a platypus, but I wish he were my father. I'm going to by the discbox set.

dan [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 13:58

I think it is a superb album and with each listen I know I will love it even more. When I first heard OKC I wasn't sure about it then 3 days later I was crazy about it. So I think everyone should hold they're true judgments and reviews back just for a day or 2. A lot of websites are trying to be 'the first' to have a review for the album but I don't believe they will be accurate for the reasons I just mentioned. Well done lads, on first impressions you have created another special album.

stu [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:00

why is everyone getting so hung up about this? at the end of the day, we've ALL paid SOMETHING to have this today, and even if you dont think its a masterpiece, or even very good, there has to be something about this album you like, otherwise you wouldnt be here. its fucking radiohead. you KNOW what to expect. as for wanting a job as an NME reviewer?, fuck that. ALL music journos are 47 years old. they dont know shit. remember Whats the story morning glory? got SLATED by every music mag when it came out..now its one of the "greatest" british albums ever made. its all bullshit. if you like in rainbows, tell everyone. if you dont, who wants to know? NO-ONE, thats who.... Me? i think its a great album, better than i expected. NME, print this ya big chickens.

Sean Bee [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:01

Incredible. A great mix of Radiohead old and new. They're still setting the bar Reckoner & House of Cards expecially moving

Michael Leoen [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:05

Very disappointed. The only decent song Reckoner. The rest is bloodless, soulless crap. I waited four years for this????

Tay Zonday [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:05

It's no Chocolate Rain, remember I did the original cool free download.. Erm Thom sounds a bit like me on House Of Cards & Nude...

Jeff "Blade" Tidwell [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:10

"Whats most impressive about this record is that this band has created Kid A and OK Computer.." Much like how, upon the first few listens, the most impressive thing about Kid A was that it was from the band that also did Pablo Honey and The Bends.

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:15

7 plays in now, and this is the best thing they've done since kid a and still feel a bit cheated by videotape - lets hope they release another version a la 'morning bell'

sam [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:20

Been a fan of from day one and this album doesnt dissapoint, highlights reckoner, house of cards, nude and the awesome jigsaw. Cant believe people are so quick to dump on such a majestic band some of the above reveiws are utter pish. Also cant believe the BBC employ someone who gives In Rainbows a bad reveiw on first day of release then claims pablo was their best album!! What a dickhead!!

Roland [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:20

Gorgeous, funky, exciting, rich, tuneful, satisfying. I love it

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:26

it's just "eh", you know? don't get me wrong...I certainly don't think it's bad. However, I do expect more out of this band.

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:29

Really their best album ever! Reminds me on Beatles - Sgt.Pepper - really great :-) :-)

Dave [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:29

Always impossible to form a judgement on a Radiohead album for a a few days and several listens. First impressions are good though. Particularly loving "Bodysnatchers" at the moment. Can't believe how different "Reckoner" sounds to the live bootleg that was kicking around a few years ago.

Bob Toland [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:31

Absolutely amazing. Reconfirms their status as the best band in the world at the moment. Can't wait for the tour!

P [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:32

Only problem with the album, is the song title of track 4. I mean, Arpeggi is a brilliant title, but / wierd fishes is not so. I believe that the sound that 'Good Morning Mr. Magpie' established permeates this record. I hope MK1 & MK2 off boxset edition are actualy just renamed versions of 'GMMM' and 'I Froze Up'.

smell yer ma! [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:39

It's a fuckin belter!

Royser [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:39

What a great year for music - first we get this then a Spice Girls reunion. How wonderful.

Al Blackwell [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:40

I don't understand those people complaining about Videotape. Even if you prefer other versions, it's not like they are not available to hear whenever you like. Now you've just got another take on it. Great album so far. Not a weak track on it. It's really nice to be able to listen to a Radiohead record without having been saturated by marketing hyperbole for weeks beforehand. My expectations were realistic and as such I'm enjoying it immensely. It's just good music.

Mark H [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:42

Just nodding in time and can't stop grinning - amazing.

Pete [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:44

So, Radiohead have killed off free downloads quite convincingly by making sure that half the population never recieves their music. Canny...

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:46

Love love love love love it. Its only going to get better with each listen. Beautiful songs.

Chris (Washington, DC) [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:47

Twice through now and absolutely blown away. I'd say it the most cohesive album since OK Computer. It really has a sustained mood throughout, which I really like. Regarding the differing versions, I think it is great when a band can rearrange a song for the studio or live setting. Videotape sounds amazing on this album; the live version sounds amazing in concert. The two do not need to be the same.

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 14:48

videotape freaks - just get over it.

TonyS [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:05

Listened to it twice now and absolutely love it. Enough to order the box. Great songs. I loved the post OK stuff, but can see this will appeal to those who don't as well. Love the whole pays as much thing as well ... seems to work I wound up shelling 40 quid :/

Steve Lind [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:09

Probably one of the more accessible of the recent albums. Atmospheric and spine-chilling. Thom's vocals once again reign supreme. Nude is a fav for me.

Canadian Steak [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:12

Yet again it falls to Radiohead to set the agenda in this current conservative scene that looks to the likes of Snow Patrol, Coldplay and all the umpteened cloned gimmicks like The Horrors as acceptable. Modern rock acts should be pushing boundaries instead of becoming complacent and comfortable, and record labels should be encouraging. Also electronic and classical music shouldn't be a dirty genres in a world where the norm in this day and age are countless guitar bands with big hair and a lack of any real ideas. Why not take our leads from Autechere, Boards of Canada, Philip Glass,etc instead of the tired, same old dreary, generic guitar-based rock of the Oasis school? Yet again, Radiohead are setting the standard. This album may not be perfect but the ideas its spawns is surely relevant enough to demand that the listener does some work, in this world where the fast food approach and popular culture has become king.

Hayden [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:30

what can I say? thank you for giving us a level of creativity not seen in a long time. for all those mentioning The Bends and OK...those were amazing albums cos they were diverse as well. sorry to any Cold PLay fans out there...but they dream of being this versatile... Radiohead...you remain my fav band of all time...enjoy the album everyone!!

Matt S [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:31

Once again Radiohead release another album i`ll never tire of hearing. Personal highlight : Jigsaw Falling Into Place 10/10

Tubbz [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:31

Breathtaking

neotic [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:33

I think we all wanted so badly to hear this album that it's difficult to critic. Obviously it's good music, but that's not enought for Radiohead, is it?. I think the songs lack the outstanding quality that the band use to deliver. I think I liked more The Eraser on its first day. Anyway it''s Radiohead, it's personal and it's new. I think I really am a little dissapointed... Regards from Spain

Al [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:38

thanks again radiohead. lovely, nude.wow.wow.

Dave [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:41

LOL.. to the guy that says 'Weird Fishes' is not a good title. What about something like 'I am the Walrus?' It's about the music - not the titles.. (and just to note, Yorke does say 'weird fishes' in the song). Anyway, I've listened twice. Upon first listen, the start of 15 step was dissapointing. I have been listening to the live version for over a year. Then I listened again... and started to dig it. I imagine that will only grow. What I love about Radiohead is that you can buy the albums, and go see them live, and it's always a treat. The songs live ALWAYS sound more rockin... and I love that. I love their toned down recordings, and they way they amp them up live.. with a song like The Gloaming being a perfect example - haunting on the album, and so kick ass live. The bottom line is Radiohead knows what they're doing.. and I think I'm going to be loving this album a week from now. Great job.

alanna [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:41

gorgeous, luscious, sending shivers down my spine.....

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:44

Bizarre really some real highlights, some im sure will grow disapointed with arpeggi and videotape don t know how anyone can say otherwise, all i need is brilliant and nude is unbefuckinglievable.

Rollo [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:50

Love the album, especially the end of all I need. Maybe I'm a bit old fashioned but i miss going out on a Monday morning to buy the cd!!! I know they release a fancy version in December, but when you already have it, it's just not the same.

jonny radar [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:53

Beautiful album. Worth the wait?..ask me in six months, but i suspect that it will have been. The person who was attacking Nigel Godrich earlier is a total plank.

Tom [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:55

I think that 'videotape' has lost the sense of release it had at the end. Maybe thats what people are missing.

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 15:56

had time to listen to a few tracks. All I need is the standout for me. One thing really bugs me though.. 160kps...wtf?

Bwell [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:00

Loving the album, but does anyone else agree that it's quite similar to Thom's solo effort. Not that i'm complaining, I just thought there may have been a bit more of the old Radiohead sound back.

jaywolves [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:03

Move over Arcade Fire the 'Head are back to reclaim their throne! Bodysnatcherr, Nude and Reckoner are among the finest songs they have ever recorded! Thank fuck Thom got the whole Warp records fixation out of his system on the eraser. Disappointed that 4 minute warning didn't make the cut and the new version of videotape will take some getting used to but overall very impressed. Coul overtake Kid A as my third fave Radiohead album.

NeutralObserver [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:04

brilliant, could win them best album of year at next grammies but dont know how the charts will work with this

Jon [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:08

Love this album! Definitly worth the wait. Don't even know what number listen I'm on now! It's up there with kid a and ok c. Can't wait for the discbox and tour.

Cheeky [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:09

nearly cried listening to it....my god ive waited so long for this.its amazing how much an album can enhance your life....im literally lost for words,absolutely beautiful album.what a f_ckin band

Matthew Bingham [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:10

I've played it over and over today and if there's been a better album out this year I'll be very, very surprised. Just confirms their genius really.

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:11

Could it be Nude and House of Cards are the first Radiohead songs that you could potentially make love to?

Radioherd [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:18

Aren't you all? You lot need to get out more.

John [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:20

I`ve been waiting for this record for 3 years and it was worth every second. All i need had me in tears with the breking of the drums and the wonderful background sounds. The way Jigsaw builds is amazing . Videotape is a slight upset on first listen but it gets better. You have to remember Thom stressing that the version he played was different to the one they were working on. 9.8/10

Tubbz [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:20

For those complaining about Videotape. Think 'Like Spinning Plates', - compare the live with the album version. Each is made better by the fact the other exists.

Lucho (From VENEZUELA) [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:21

After 4 years, finally! Nude is exactly as i heard it on my head, as i wished it was. Haven't seen videotape live wih the whole band, so i can't compare. 10/10, best album I've heard in years. And to all the haters, wit for it, you'll like it. It's just like when Kid-A came out, i was "confused" by it, after a few listens, and paying attention to the subtleties, i saw it was incredible. Can't wait for my box set

chris martin [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:22

some great songs destroyed by pointless effects, tracks on utube sound better, but this is my second listen so i may change my mind my tenth listen.

TheTeleflorist. [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:33

Cheeesus. inventive, unpredictable and thouroughly beautiful. this one even my parents like! whats gone wrong.... anyhow, i don't think i need to say it's great, i just wanted to comment back about all the people who aren't liking videotape. see the thing is, as a musician myself, i tend to believe music is for the musician first and the listener second. an outlet, a point of expression, a blurb so yeh, i don't like it much either, but maybe radiohead prefer it that way, and i suppose, fair play to them for having the balls to do it their way on such a massivealbum.

Simon S [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:35

Yes, Ian Youngs at the BBC is surely barking...Pablo Honey? In Rainbows will reward 1000s of plays, wonderful music. Not just the best band around now but the best ever, no question. Thom is better than ever...and this record could be the best since Kid A. Sublime. Thank you Radiohead.

shinty [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:40

it sounds brilliant so far, but not an all time classic album, but still who does those anymore

J.R [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:41

Amazing. I think this album outshines anything bought out this year, its got a haunting quality to it (my mate actually said that, but its true) I chose to pay a fiver for it and its the best fiver i've ever spent.

Sianspherica [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:42

are you all nuts? the album is not very good, by their standards, standards being....they made nothing but spectacular albums all the way from the bends through hail to the thief. this album is boring as hell, it might be imaginative and eclectivec like all radiohead's work, but its dull. its more avant garde mope rock, than anything. Even Hail has its brilliantly rocking tunes (There There) and its incredible soundscapes (Sail to the Moon). I don't hear anything like that on this. Following along with 100th Window, Neon Bible, 10,000 Days...this is another disappointing record by one of my favorite bands.

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:47

Sounds really good. i think 15 steps is my early favorite. certainly not a disappointment. Ethereal

old greg [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:49

I have fallen in love with this band all over again. Another classic. Nude has come home.

Sam C.M. [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:52

In Rainbows // Review: I'm on my third listen now, so I figure I'm ready to chime in. I think this is one of Radiohead's most accessible albums, like a Bends'y OK Computer, which is a big complement. I'd say, at this point, it's their third best album, and probably the best of 2007. "15 Step" is a great opener, you have to love the kid voices, and the driving beat really works. Likewise on "Reckoner," one of the albums' very best tracks, with the tambourine rythm and the plucky riffs. "Nude" / "Wierd Fishes/Arpeggi" ascimilate with eachother so well they could be thought of as a single track, but that would be to undermine the stand alone power of "Nude", perhaps In Rainbows best track. Like "Reconer", "Bodysnatchers" is the other real rock track, reaching its climax with the fantastic greenwood-charged bridge at about the halfway mark. "All I Need" meanders, but builds to a great climax, "House Of Cards" is a sly little creation that plays like a Prince track, and "Faust Arp" is a beautiful, brief, but indespensible surprise; a quirky, very original, piece of baroque folk. Leaving only "Videotape" as the slight disapointment. The live versions of that song are great, but the real powerplay of the track is Yorke's great lyrics, and I think the oddly idosynchratic drum pokes give the song a distracting vibe. Yet it's also fascinating in a way, due to how effortlessly breezy the song sounds, like it's not even an ending to the album, but a segue into the beginning. An endless loop so to speak, and maybe -- to that end -- the album is better for it. I give Radiohead's In Rainbows, Disc 1: 5 out of 5

Jonas [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:56

Haven't heard it yet...interestingto see what everyone thinks so early in and everyone scrambling to get their word in...I am very interested in how it holds up over time. Whether it's people overly gushing or just being plain cynical or hateful, its good to see that not many people are fallingin the middle. Thereseems to be many more raving reviews. It looks like Radioheaddid just what they needed...they are keepingit just slightly controvercial, whether musically or in there marketing campaign, everyone is on their toes...

Beth [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 16:59

Please don't ever say 'soundscapes' again. Any of you.

John Englehurst [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:00

I think they ruined the sound of all i need, that was a good song when i saw them live, what does ne one else think.

Morton [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:00

Good album, improves with every listen as usual with Radiohead although the drums sound pretty flat and some of the tracks are a little bland sonic-wise (Bodysnatchers just doesn't kick in the way io should unless its on headphones) . Would have been interesting to hear what Spike Stent would have brought to the table, but now we'll never know... Only Videotape REALLY dissappoints (Yorke's vocals are abysmal), and parts of 15 Step remind me of the the theme tune to Byker Grove (no, really, with the sampled kids voices), but Reckoner is great and All I Need's a keeper. Better on headphones. (7 out of 10)

Tufnell [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:05

Two word review: "Shit sandwich"

slimjimmyg [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:10

well on my third listen at the min and i hav to say as soon as i heard it for the second time i got it,its fuckin amazin! actually jus listenin 2 all i need at da min and i feel like im coming up on pills its that good,and thats one of the ones i wasnt sure about because i loved the live version so much. The word grower was invented for this album,albeit after jus the second listen.wel,theyve only gone and done it again,the greatest band...in the world...EVER!!! enjoy!:)

Francis [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:23

Just listened and I love it. I need to take a breather before I listen again. IMO, Videotape is perfect. They tease you, with it, and it creates this lasting effect after the song has ended. It's still going on in my head. Also, it seems like it works well as the middle of the album too, which it is if you take in account the second part that comes with the gift box. I'll be interested to see whether they release the "official" cd next year as a 2-part album, or just these first 10 tracks.

peedoff [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:24

where is my activation code!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh

le_sigh [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:27

best radiohead album ever??? does anyone remember just how popular ok computer was??? i think this is the worst radiohead album ever... the lyrics and songs are incredibly unremarkable, and it sounds like it could have been made by any band. sure, thom yorke's voice, the usual radiohead piano chords, and the moaning in the background let us know that it's really them but still... not great. this album might be more friendly to the masses and radio play, but those who grew up on the more experimental radiohead will be disappointed.

Mark Richardson [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:33

Anyone else not received their activation code yet?

indebted fan [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:37

If you don't like the new album, then you aren't a true Radiohead fan. Be grateful for what you get. Most new bands don't even release a fourth album, let alone a fifth, sixth, and seventh. Radiohead will even produce an eighth, ninth, and tenth album. If you don't like the direction of the their new music, then fuck off. You would do better listening to played out mainsteam pop and mtv affecionados. Don't bother listening to the second disk or their future albums. I don't want to hear your complaining about a great band with one of a kind sound and lyrics. In Rainbows is what Thom and Jonny want it to be and that's what matters.

fastasleep [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:41

Overproduced guff apart from Bodysnatchers. Boring, predictable, musically unadventurous. Yorke's voice overused, Greenwood's guitar underused and swamped by vocal overdubs when it rears its head - like a reverse 'Second Coming'. Faust Arp is hilariously bad and actually made me angry. Another let down. They'e been going steadily downhill since OK Computer. And how exactly can an album be called 'a grower' on the first day of its release, slimjimmyg?

Trisitor [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:41

First, listening, first dissapointment. Overall, lack of creativity and lack of progression. There is no surprise here. There is no hymn. It sounds more like a B-side record. Probably their worst record in their career

John [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:43

Once you get passed the fact that they can never repeat (never want to repeat?) OK Computer, The Bends, or KID A you can start to appreciate it for the great record it is. Maybe not for everyone, but I feel it was worth the wait.

trickster [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:44

amazing album no faults really and most importantly feels like an album which will give it staying power, think the arrangements are spot on, hope the bonus disc in dec has more hidden treats 10/10

slimjimmyg [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:46

anyone know how to get it on to your creative zen?keeps sayin the file type is not supported on the player.

to - indebted fan, le_sigh [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:47

One of a kind sound? Have you ever heard of Boards Of Canada? Methinks Mr Yorke has. Popular=best?!? NME for the last ten years in a nutshell.

Borracho Crazy [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:53

C´mon people, stop playing the smart and posh asses Since when Boards of Canda invented music? They´re an excellent band, thay make good recors and certainly are a influence on RH... But this album has its own merits in terms of songwriting and production

Chris [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 17:56

Why do some people have an obsession for albums being repeated? This is Radiohead, not Oasis. I laugh at the pitiful comments that people make regarding the album. You can't just pop in the disc and expect to be blown away if you keep trying to compare albums. Give the album a few listens before you dismiss it.

slimjimmyg [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:03

its a grower fastasleep because after the 1st listen i wasnt very impressed but as soon as i listened 2 it again,as i said,i got it! as for ur hilarious comments that its boring,musically unadventurous,etc well what bloody bands are you listenin 2 if u tink that?seriously,i would love to hear them because in rainbows is anything but how you described it and if you actually are a radiohead fan i think you will realise that after a few more listens.

Lewis [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:06

All I Need, Defo Boards of Canada thing going on there. Best album since Kid A IMO.

Eric [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:09

Make sure to check your Junk Mail for the activation code... that's where I found mine.....

Justin [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:11

i'm loving it. disc 2 can't get here soon enough. i'm gonna be bumping in rainbows for the next few months non stop

Neda [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:15

I love this version of Reckoner... so good to hear Big Ideas, aka Nude on an album, just as beautiful as the first time I heard it. Thom's voice couldn't be better, it's absolutely moving.

hores [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:15

Absolute pile of cacophonous dirge!

Mr Marmite [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:15

I'm surprised at the small the amount of NME Shite Indy fans talking shit about this album. Well done. But yeah. Great album, I love Faust Arp, Nothing like I thought it would be, I thought it would be more electronic. Reckoner is lovely, and Thom's voice on Nude is beautiful. Videotape was a bit of a disappointment, but I think it will grow on me.

Dobby Dobbo [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:15

I've received the email from waste which supposedly has the activation code but the it only takes me to a screen which says activation code is invalid. Anyone else had this problem?

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:20

First listen: Terrible. Is this a joke? Second: Just plain bad. Third: This is kind of interesting Fourth: Wow, this is really poignant!

Brewster [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:21

First listen: Terrible. Is this a joke? Second: Just plain bad. Third: This is kind of interesting Fourth: Wow, this is really poignant!

Jake [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:21

"Jigsaw Falling Into Place" sounds like "Where I End and You Begin" and Midnight Oil (circa Diesel and Dust) made sweet babies? And I don't care about all the pretention, I just like the album. You should too.

Brewster [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:22

WHY do people defend this band with that argument that they are at least making 'unpredictable' music that isn't 'repetitive'? They've been making the same album over and over since Kid A, and it's a pretty boring album, at that!

Puertoricoissinking [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:32

All I Need, Nude and House of Cards send me on a complete head trip...like always, they fail to surprise. The most mellow, thoughtful, understated album of their career, and also the best since OK Computer. May be my all time favorite of theirs on a personal level...but critically will fall short their nineties efforts. This effectively ushers York and the boys into the next phase of their progression as a band. What the fuck comes next? Can't wait for the second disc.

rob [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:42

still no activation code...

Noah R. [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:44

I've just listened to it the first time. So far I'm impressed by most of the songs but I'm gonna need to listen to it again before I'm sure what I think of it as a whole. And I can live with Videotape, I don't think it's that big a deal.

stan aus [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:46

waiting 4 years to hear it ,its the most different to what ive imagined it would be like.I expected it to be perhaps punchier,livelier.Cant compare it to any other RH album,its totally different.Very much Eraser like even beatlesish-cross U2?.but there are definetely good moments on it. Im sure ill end up loving it,just not what i expected,but hey thats radiohead.

Rafael David [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:53

I liked it a lot, a little bit disappointed 'cause of Videotape, i knew most of the people would react like this about this song. Any way, it's very hard for other bands to make a record that good. Radiohead is surelly the best band on earth at this moment and in the near future. I feel very very sad cause each time if more difficult the fact of them playing here in (Venezuela) Latin America, you guys enjoy the album as much i do, and be happy knowing that you can go and see them playing those great songs in an unforgettable live performance.

tom [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:54

easily the most exciting thing ive heard this year, im really into electronica like warp records, so ive always loved their experimental stuff like kid a , but nothing prepared me for how amazingly beautiful this album is...all the beats are ace, lovely picked guitars, and all the synths and orchestra parts are just outstanding. i am finding it near impossible to stress how good i think it is......so i wont, cos we all know radiohead are in a different league to most other bands. and a new sigur ros album soon, we are spoilt. Bring on the tour!

Spoonman [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:54

"All I Need" is one of the best tracks that 'head have ever madem, which given their back catalogue is as much praise as I can give.

Rafael David [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 18:57

I liked it a lot, a little bit disappointed 'cause of Videotape, i knew most of the people would react like this about this song. Any way, it's very hard for other bands to make a record that good. Radiohead is surelly the best band on earth at this moment and in the near future. I feel very very sad cause each time if more difficult the fact of them playing here in (Venezuela) Latin America, you guys enjoy the album as much i do, and be happy knowing that you can go and see them playing those great songs in an unforgettable live performance.

joe [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 19:00

Good album. Anyone know if the string sections are real or synthesized? I personally find them to be a bit overbearing in some places. It would comfort me to know that an actual orchestra performed the parts. If not, its still a nifty album.

bob [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 19:02

good, was hoping for a bit more progression...but good..

Ian in Canada [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 19:05

This is an excellent album, I've been waiting for this album for Four years! Awesome!

matt dare [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 19:07

reckoner has been looping for 16 hrs now and i havent stopped crying its really that good

A random radio head [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 19:08

Bassline on 15 step is sick!!! Radiohead are hip hop!

Brewster [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 19:08

Soundscape.

jetman [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 19:09

disappointing on first few listens - sounds overproduced and lacks space - what is that funeral beat to videotape?? Ughhh highlights though faust arp, nude, all i need

greenbaaron [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 19:09

PLEASE -- do the band, and yourself justice -- LISTEN TO THE ALBUM IN QUALITY HEADPHONES. It will make all the difference in the world. Oh, and I give it an A+ (beautiful)

Millions [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 19:12

Bodysnatchers and Jigsaw Falling Into Place are instant highlights for me. The CD itself maybe just a little to mellow/minimalist but it's still sick.

Jenna Appleseed [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 19:14

love it - not truely origanal but revists and combines their essence from most of their albums Completly p**ses on Coldplay's attempts at borrowing from electronica . Favourite tracks on first listen are Nude, Weird Fishes/Arpeggi.MP3 All I Need, House Of Cards and Videotape. Have put my full first impressions here http://jenna-appleseed.livejournal.com/65290.html

A videotape [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 19:50

beautifull album...till videotape...i was expecting one of the great song of all music history, really...now, i did an experiment...i mixed up all the instruments of videotape, except the voice and the piano, with the version of "live at the Basement"....that is the song that should be in "IN RAINBOWS"....hopefully thom reads this...and ask me for my experiment with videotape

J Man [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:06

It's good but not great, but the best albums always get better with more listens. Hail to the theif was their masterpiece for me. Jigsaw, 15 step and All I Need are outstanding tracks so far. Bodysnatchers is a bit too average, or is that just me?? And its lacking a sit down. stand up.

Ben [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:10

Great album, but some of us have been giving away great albums free for years - see www,academyoffunk.com

Ben Rowland (Toronto, ON) [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:10

On the first listen, this strikes me as a pretty underwhelming record. The music seems flat, cold, and emotionless, and there is nothing here that Radiohead has not done better in previous albums. However, this is exactly what I have said about the last few albums before they had a chance to grow on me, so there is a good possibility that my opinion will change after listening to it a few more times.

McD [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:11

For anyone silly enough to complain about videotape on the new album, stop. I doubt the live version, as excellent as it was, would fit with the mood of the album. The new version is more tactful, subtle and appropriate to the album, which is, in my opinion, and based on only three listens, very good indeed

S-Tiger [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:11

Exactly what I was thinking! The bass synth on "All I need" and the kids cheers are a massive "Boards OF Canada" Rip off! When I first heard "I all I need" I thought it was that Boards track "Roygbiv". It's an okay-ish album, few nice tracks. Nothing very challenging but pleasant flotation tank music I guess. I wasn't expecting much so not really disappointed. Not as much as I was with the second Arcade Fire record anyway. Zzzzzzzz.

Danny [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:13

I can't believe the negativity towards the album. I don't take shots at legends or legendary moments, its just something I don't do.

MetalMickey [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:23

In Rainbows = Delicate Sound Of Thunder Moses comes down from the Mount again, has little else to say. Proves that even they, best band of their generation, can succumb to age & complacency. By their standards, this album is pretty unimpressive, oddly staid, & very 90s. Still, IN RAINBOWS is much more listenable than the murky & unfocused HTTT & is still 90% than other contemporary releases.

Barry Wood [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:25

Hey I have my activation code and used it and it didn't work ! Please tell me I don't have to wait for the vinyl to arrive in December ! Awaiting response from the tech geeks at WASTE. Drat and double drat !

bonnieprince [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:26

thanks for radiohead. its a really easy listen. people keep going on about the bends and ok why this is radiohead now. enjoy

John Matrix [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:27

When I was a boy, and rock and roll came to East Germany, the communists said it was subversive.....maybe they were right.....

AJS [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:40

It does sound good..... but I can't help feeling slightly disappointed we do not get to hear more from probably the best guitarist of our generation!

christopher [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:40

I have a really hard time believing that those who think this album is a 'breakthrough' and 'among the best' like the old Radiohead stuff. The earlier organic rock and roll, traditional songs. OK Computer was a bit of a shift (and classically so) but the last three albums have been soulless, cold, impersonal and monotonous. If you like D&B, you probably like some of the newer songs. I don't like drum machines or drumming that is supposed to sound like the monotony of raindrops on a tin roof. Words like 'lush' and 'stark' have been thrown around all day to describe this album and they're pretty dead on. But to me, 'lush' means 'dull' and 'stark' means boring. I loved the old Radiohead. From Pablo Honey on through. I suffered through Kid A and tried to convince myself to like Hail to the Thief but this is just getting sad. Thom plus a guitar or piano = rich, soulful. Thom plus the low hum/constant drone of background electronic noise = annoying at this point. What was that phrase they used in Karma Police? "He buzzes like a fridge, he's like a detuned radio" Maybe they were looking into the future.

Bobby Dazzler [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:43

This is surprisingly good. Very focused, unlike the rambling mess of HTTT. Anyone else think Faust Arp sounds like a Beatles track?

pedro alves azores [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:46

i am just listening to the last song...and its all GOOODDDD thank u RADIOHEAD again....

ian [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 20:59

jeez, what a dissapointment. easier to listen to than the last 3 albums but if this wasnt radiohead i probably wouldnt have gotten past the first 2/3 tracks. some decent songs on there but i wont be rushing to have a nother listen. i think NME as usual has gotten carried away because of who the band is...

Purplecoats [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:00

I haven't got my activation code yet! And the website is down so no luck in trying to get any help - I'm annoyed & tense! Need new Radiohead tracks!

timmy dodgers [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:03

truly phenomenal, the fact that people are picking it apart just shows how brilliantly radiohead have positioned themselves - who needs a marketing budget? as for the recording i think it sits together so nicely, it truly balances what makes radiohead great with fearless progression. the fact that the band can put aside ego and not play on tracks, or just play as appropriate is one of their strongest traits, as is the recording itself, immediate and amazing on headphones. as for the bitrate bitches, get real, who said filesize and "quality" mean anything from a true sound point of view. you remind me of the people who used to ask for dylan in dvd-audio - so you could hear his 8 track out of tune siging one take recordings in 5.1 - YOU'RE MISSING THE POINT. i thought panda bear couldn't be bettered, i was wrong. this is not only the most important album of the year for the whole industry, not only a celebration for the fans, here's to the most brilliantly realised album of the year. And you can have it for free, and legally to boot - what's the world coming to?!!

Andrew [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:06

A record that has really been under deveopment since 1989. True BEauty

miguel [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:08

also, everyone says radiohead albums grow on you and take a while, and I totally disagree, when I first heard ok computer, I was like, DAMN this is AWESOME. same with Kid A and Amnesiac. Hail To The Thief had some rough spots and still does, but when I first heard it, I knew wolf at the door was gold. so, what i'm saying is, when radiohead really do it up right, you can tell right away.

freddy [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:10

the drum beat at the beginning of all i need sounds like "philadelphia" by bruce springsteen. they need to steer clear of the adult contemporary vibe a little more aggressively.

Bak [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:12

Album of the year please

BARNY [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:12

I GOT IN AND DOWNLOADED IT... LOVE IT, THEN GOT STONED.... LOVE IT, NOW I'M PISSED..,.. LOVE IT, THIS IS WHAT I'V BEEN LOOKING FOR 10 GREAT TRACKS.... IT'S GOOD TO BE A RADIOHEAD FAN!!!!!!

Mark Gatto [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:14

I am over the moon with this album, listened to it 4 times today. It gets better with every listen. I don't understand these people who don't rate videotape, I think it is class. This album has no flaws and anyone with decent taste in music would know that. I can't wait for the next 8 tracks in November. This album puts the young pretenders to shame. Radiohead are magnificent once again.

Tom without the h [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:16

Instantly into it

Tony Stonies [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:38

I quietly wept upon hearing the studio versions of 'Nude' and 'All I Need.' Sublime effort from a sublime band.

[Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:41

After the third listen, the enchantment of “In Rainbows” has taken hold. With the exception of a couple YouTubes of 15 Step, I stayed away from much of the live material these last couple years so my untainted ears were ripe for the new sounds. It was worth the wait. I understand how those looking for another “OK Computer” or “Kid A” could come away with an empty feeling. Those days of experimentation are long gone and this album isn’t breaking new ground. Instead, we are left with a refreshing gem of a mature Radiohead at their most masterful. Ironically this album may serve as a bridge for those fans alienated by “OKC” and “Kid A”. For those that don’t remember, some felt “OKC” unsettling and others found “Kid A” down right bizarre. It wouldn’t surprise me if those same fans embraced this creation and discovered a deep appreciation for OKC-HTTT in the process. With its rich textures and sprinkles of past innovations, “In Rainbows” creeps up on you like a familiar kiss from a long forgotten high school sweetheart. There are no surprises here but those of us that have been around the block aren’t let down and it feels damn good. (8/10) – My favorite of 2007.

Jayne [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:50

Beautiful, Amazing, Stunning. Favourite has to be Nude. They've really outdone themselves again, this album is very natural and refreshing while still hinging on the experimental, and Yorke's voice is outstanding, so clear and beautiful and sad.

jason [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:55

i guess once you have an audience as huge and mainstreamed as radioheads, you have to take a lot less chances to please everyone. there seems to be a few of us who are left wanting, but very few. no alarms and no surprises. radiohead has mellowed severely with age. at least HTTT often had a crazy, noisy pulse. in the last four years, my taste in music has become more out-there, but radiohead's has not. if you want a cotton-soft record that you can put on on a sunday morning to keep you in a tranced lull, this is it. the lack of sonic adventure is apparent, but once you get over that, it's a "nice" listen. if you like nice. hopefully those bonus tracks get a little weirder--i know "bangers and mash" was my live favourite, a rockin cathartic song.

g [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 21:57

leave them alone.... in their lovely ponddddddddddddddddddddddd the album is just great.... kisses with saliva

NoCultureIcons [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 22:00

I was a little indifferent to it first time round, but I'm enjoying it more on the second listen. I agree, Nude is one of the highlights. Someone compared Faust Arp to The Beatles' Blackbird but I thought it sounded more like Julia.

Roy G Biv [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 22:18

I was slightly disappointed at videotape at first listen after hearing the sonorous performances last year, but I have to say it's grown on me. It just weaves the song together. the way it doesn't take off just sustains the feeling of spritual exalation. All I need is just a thick lustrous buffet for the ears. Album just improves on relistening.

Tchwock [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 22:22

Reckoner is easily the best track, but the whole album is amazing, their best album since Kid A, and maybe even since 97.

Rhys [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 22:34

Gorgeous, simply gorgeous. I am in no doubt that it was worth the money I paid. The perfect culmination of their past work. I have no frame of reference regarding the apparent "Videotape" disappointment. But this might be a good thing since I genuinely think it is incredible, the perfect end to, what will be a seminal album.

Palf [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 22:36

Beautiful music, surprisingly accessible on 1st listen for a radiohead album. Hopefully that won't mean i'm bored after a few listens...

jo5ef [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 22:42

Impressed so far, no doubt like prev relases i'll still be finding new things to like about it a year from now. I suspect that guy from the BBC is an EMI shill.

Eric [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 22:49

This is definitely a new sound for them, but every album is. I love this album, have been listening to it all day at school. Everysong except videotape has a super climax in it, at least for me. i dont think ill get sick of it, and its not too short its perfect.

kieran [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 22:57

always worth the wait.. its like hearing music from outerspace telling you just how beautiful and broken the world looks from up there. astounding.

michael [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 23:17

I'm glad idiots don't like radiohead, its not for you. i've listened to it about 20 times today, it gets better every time, all radiohead cds are glowers, but they're well worth a little patients. I am devastated about videotape though, i was sat there waiting for the guitars to come in and the euphoric ending (of all endings) but it never came... Love the other stuff though. Still the best band in the world by far

Michael Crosby [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 23:27

Reckoner and Videotape are the obvious tracks that people will be disappointed by, not because they are inherently bad but just because they are so different from the versions we all heard. The same happened with Hail to the Thief, in that bootleg versions hampered the studio release. Listening to In Rainbows as an album by itself, you can't say its bad, its a subtle and understated album, and although Bodysnatchers and some other tracks should build to something more, the full album is still quality! But 'In Rainbows'? Gay title!

World's Biggest Loser [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 23:36

not keen (and surprised) at the return of the HTTT-sound yet again. what are they playing at? these songs sounded immense, live. still good though.

the worms [Visitor] //October 10 2007 at 23:38

Again its incredible!!! Made me cry This is what music is about Radiohead,thanks yet again

James Sweatman [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 00:05

Personally I think this is easily in the top 3 albums Radiohead have made. This morning I was sure it was the best I've heard, but I'm starting to wane on that idea. I think it has some of the best songs Radiohead have ever recorded, but somehow together it doesn't feel as monumental as it actually probably is. Listened to it all day and I have to say this is an album that sounds like it was produced by people who are finally comfortable with where they are musically. I think this Radiohead in their element: they've found their ultimate style and they're comfortable knowing that they don't need to surprise or tame the market. They produced this CD for themselves as much as they did for us (as indicated by the fact that they don't mind people mooching it for free). I'm happy Radiohead saw fit to give this to us.

God [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 00:15

Outstanding

andyk [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 00:24

I like it but the bass on 'Wierd Fishes' is just like the worst bass sound i've ever heard, and the way Thom goes a bit flat on the second line of '15 Step' oh i could have produced that so much better myself...in my bedroom cuz i've got a cracked copy of cubase and read an interview with John Leckie once in Uncut...actually I think it's the worst album ever written and oh my god what have they done to 'Videotape'? It used to sound a bit like an old one they used to do with a proper tune!! ..and I think the lead vocals are overused! They've just let him song all over the album! everywhere!! I need to get really, really angry, really, really now!

James Bos [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 00:43

I was scared of a HTTT part 2 but I was wrong. Stand out tracks on my first listen are 15 step, nude and all i need. I cannot fault this album, reminds me of aphex twin crossed with massive attack at times but in the best possible way. I have now gone through 3 times listening, i love it. My only problem with the album is it is a wee bit short and also, listening to it in my studio with 4000 clam krk monitors lets you really hear how amazing the production is and I kinda wish that it was possible for that to translate into the shitty speakers in my car!!

Steve [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 01:03

@ the guy attacking Nigel Godrich earlier - definitely a plank. What the hell do you know about record production? Nothing, obviously. I've worked in the recording business for years, and trust me, this is a beautifully recorded, produced and mixed album. Tosser.

Alps Joao [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 01:12

We all have seen wire drawings of a cube. Deoending on your mood you will decide that you see it from above or from below. Likewise you may find that this album is reminiscent of old Radiohead's work or the recent stuff. Can't make my mind about it and that's the beauty of it. I'll have to listen to the live videotape though, it's in everyones's mouth. The magic operated by the drums in the studio version is groundbreaking though. Since it started so poorly with 160kbs audio (not even VBR) why no go all the way to SACD or DVD-A? 5.1 and stuff?

ACTIVATION CODES [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 01:23

Check your SPAM BOX. Mine was hiding in there. VIDEOTAPE was unreal live. Built to a huge climax. On the album, it's far more restrained. I like both. Ideal headphone album. Much like OK Computer. I feel the songwriting was so strong this time, they could have easily pulled back on the all gooey effects. Oh well, again...

Donotello [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 01:54

Wow!! Jigsaw Falling Into Place, What a cool song. Nude is the best of the slow songs OH But Video Tape is brilliant, quite strange sound comes in half way through and im not sure if its neccassary for such a beautiful song.

[Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 02:12

que chinguen a su puta, perra mierda madre los de radiohead

Ting [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 03:26

the return of my music god since OK.....honestly I didn't like the albums since Kid A to Hail very much. This "In Rainbow" one is breathtaking and brilliant. Songs are great throughout the all album, like the old classic OK. WHOLE ALBUM is G R E A T!

Muldfeld [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 03:30

Have the download but won't listen to the album until I get the discbox. I'm just not in the right frame of mind these days to appreciate it, and I want to get my schoolwork done. However, to the guy who said pop should be taking cues from classical music and Autechre, that's fine, but I would say that Philip Glass' movie music is incredibly, painfully formulaic. That is all. No offense. I can't wait to have this album in my hands and listen to it for the first time!

kenneth [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 03:55

cymbal rush, harrowdown hill, analyse, maybe even the song the eraser could easily have been fleshed out more throroughly with the rest of the band and made more provocative songs than much of the material here. I mean, phil selway would've surely messed those songs up too, but there chord progressions and melodies are up to snuff and would've worked well without crappy fruityloops drum sounds.

gunter ganski [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 05:19

the worst thing about radiohead is they seem to be a magnet for self-righteous wankers who think they alone know what is good and bad. i say this because i used to be one. reading these comments makes me both glad that i grew out of radiohead, and sad that some people probably never will.

Paul [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 05:35

What a wonderful gift. The whole record is open, dynamic, airy, and not compressed and clipped all to heck like most of today's releases. Brilliant, moody, lush...really...five star production job. Nigel produce this one, too? Sounds like it. Beatles-esque in some regards.

B-mansferd [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 05:37

I have 7-8 seperate live shows (from the past 2 years) of this material and realized something... They basically experimented with the songs as they played them live. What a GREAT concept! Seeing as they have been playing these songs for years now, they have developed different sounds/moods for each song. SOOO, I bet they will release ALTERNATE versions of many of these songs! That would be primo as I really liked the live versions. LIVE RADIOHEAD IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!! Bring on the live BOX SET.

Tom [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 05:42

Beautiful. Sonically complex, even in mp3. Better than Hail, IMO... I've listened to it all day long. Can't wait to really crank it up when I get the chance...

Hello [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 06:49

great album.

thetummybugs [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 06:53

Blarrrr, its lovely and lush and shiney and has everything in its right place. Radiohead by numbers. A natural progression from HTTT, fabulously wonderful moods and glacial soundscapes. Intereting things with drums and nice OK Computer guitars. Pity Thom hasn't written many decent tunes or lyrics in the last 10 years though.

skama [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 07:43

amazing album. The new version of Videotape is awesome. Best work since OK Computer. 10/10.

S.A. [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 08:34

The trick with all Radiohead songs is to really listen. Everyone needs to remember that. It is incredibly brilliant. A new musical adventure. I have seen Radiohead 6 times, they have been my absolute favorite band for over a decade and this album tops it all. Just wait. You'll see. I received the album early (11:30 pm PST Oct, 9) and have had it playing ever since. Jonny shines throughout with his versatility and dynamics... Phil is tremendous... Ed is solid... Colin even stands out... and Thom, well he's Thom Yorke. Each album is special to me. Nothing changes here. In fact, In Rainbows leads the way. Radiohead continually evolve, and they challenge the listener to evolve with them. It is time to grow everyone. Simply a masterpiece!

Harpal [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 08:45

The album is great, but on the song Videotape, some part of the song seems to be missing. The song seems to jump at the point when he says "so I'm talking to you from my videotape" right to "no matter what happens now". Is this just a glitch from the download, or did they purposely skip some lyrics that Thom sang when he performed in that show "The Basement"

krusewalker [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 09:17

I love Radiohead from OK Computer onward. Hail To The Thief was brilliant. I have listed to In Rainbows three times now, and, contrary to popular opinion, I have found it has got worse each time. Simply Radiohead by numbers. Thom Yorke has a great somnambulistic voice, but i feel he actually was asleep when he recorded this. Probably one of the most dull albums I have heard from anyone this year. Snow Patrol and Coldplay fans will love it. I paid a quid on the basis it was my equivalent of trying before I buy, as i would for a CD or download. And if I loved it, i would have bought the full price CD later. I think I was wise.

stall the beans [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 09:24

I see lots of flaws, some of them ugly some of them beautiful. Art.

gary james [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 11:05

Sublime ,def their best in quite some time and i love reckoner and house of cards particularly. Wish people would stop harping on about ok computer,its been 10 years get over it and forget it,the band have,move on and cherish this for the work of art it is

Skinny Junkie [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 11:19

I love it, it is fantastic and have been waiting like most of u with great anticipation. I like the fact that there are people out there who hate it, its done its job. I was dissapointed with Videotape at first having he heard the Thom solo effort on utube but it has grown on me, i imagined it to be something different from whats on the record and thats the dissapointment. Best band in the world, pushing boundries, shaking up the corporate machine, thank goodness we have a band like that, im 32, i felt like a 15 yr old being excited about music and an album coming out. Roll on the box set !!!

Phil [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 11:29

First few tracks pretty awesome, rest of it is a bit...bleh... time for a rethink chaps....this is a step back from the seminal Kid A which followed a rethink after the never bettering OK Computer. Time do do it again....and drop the sticklebricks...

fabian [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 12:36

I have listened to this album 4 times and it keeps getting better, radiohead is not a rock band, they're not an alternative band, they are artists, and every album just proves that, the people who don't like this album are too confined and thinking of radiohead as rock band, or whatever, this album is all there years of music education put into one album, the guitar pieces are more refined, and so too are the vocals(if that's possible), nude is absolutely brilliant. And as for the bit rate ooh grow up it's better than the bitrate on iTunes, I have it on my pc, on my mp3 player and in my car, and I hear nothing wrong, I small price to pay for sticking it to the RIAA. Keep up the good work Radiohead :-)

Weavero [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 13:02

Who cares what I think?

slimjimmyg [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 13:27

Fair enough - since MTV has destroyed the attention span of a generation, I'll concede that an album can be a 'grower' after 86 minutes. Obviously I am not a Radiohead fan because I don't like the album. If you were a 'true fan' then you would have 'got it' on the first listen. Writing with 2s and U's leads me to believe that you were probably about seven years old when OK Computer came out, so you are lucky not to have seen Radiohead spiral slowly downwards into middle-brow mediocrity, after what will forever be the highpoint of their career. I stand by my "musically unadventurous" comment - there is nothing exciting about In Shitbows at all, except for the skillful way it has been marketed.

Bill Maclean [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 13:44

weird fishes/appreggi and jigsaws are amazing,but i found that "videotape" and "house of cards"were quite dissappointing considering how good they are from the live show, all in all though it is still a brilliant album, anybody know what the inrainbows.com/remixes site is all about ?

Bill Maclean [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 13:48

i mean this? http://inrainbowsremix.com/index2.html

Johnboy [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 14:04

I'm a life long radiohead fan, the bands music and innovation shaped a large part of my youth and and forced me to expand my musical tastes beyond what popular culture force fed me. So I was more than happy to hand over £40 for the boxset..... after listing (now 3 times) I would have paid double had they asked it of me. I may be biased, but I don't care. This album is beautiful, moved me to tears, made feel like I was back discovering RH for the first time and left me with a huge smile on my face that just won't budge. Life affirming stuff, everything's ok.

Rich [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 14:18

for all those people getting frustrated with waiting for your activation code, i assume you've checked your trash folder??? That's where I found mine at about 9:00pm yesterday. If you haven't checked it, check it soon - this album is AMAZING!!

chris w [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 14:59

I should have paid more that £0.50 for this album, it's amazing.

Clarke [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 15:01

downloaded with no problem, quality is good, album is great! Unlike others, I've no complaints. Reckoner & House of Cards are my personal favorites.

Arjen [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 15:14

Just got the download in , paid nothing and 5 minutes later I plaid it in my room. Great record, i'll be glad to pay for when it is in the shops, i'm not paying any money through internet because i've had some bad experiences with it, i want to buy it in a record-store beacuase that's the place where music belongs.

scaremonger [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 15:19

Does anyone else want to leave the comment 'check your junk folder'... A beautiful album, and am I the only one that thinks Videotape is stunning. Even better than the version on From The Basement, which I thought was perfect. Thank god for Radiohead. My life just got a whole lot better. If only the vast majority of these cloned bands around at the moment would take note.

Barry Wood [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 15:28

Stop talking about the album . Stop telling me how "AMAZING" it is . I still have'nt heard it yet as I'm still waiting for the Tech Geeks to fix my download problem...................aaaaaaaaagh ! Life was a lot simpler when I was young, and I remember when all this was just fields . I have OK Computer on original Cassette Tape . Ha you download freaks you're all jealous now are'nt you !

Sam leavy [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 15:56

I still dont get it. Some great songs here as always from Radiohead but jasus there not exactly reinventing the wheel. People shouldn't read too much into Radioheads brilliance. At times some of their stuff is tune deaf. This defeats the pupose of music. The beatles, Noel Gallagher,Neil Young, Noel Gallagher and U2 are safe enough sitting in the higher echelons. Listen and think for yourselves people don't mind what NME or some D**k Head says in some Broadsheet entertainment pull-out W**k. I love you mom kind regards Sam

Ro [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 15:58

Easily their worst effort...half-baked...under developed...the whole thing passed me by without any interest perking moment...sounds like a bunch o' B-sides to be honest...maybe I got a different record to the commenters above...anyhoo...

Anonymous Chowdhury [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 16:00

Can't stop listening to to this album,took me a while to open the zip file but it was well worth the wait when I finally did. 'All I need' and 'Arpeggi' are amazing, I preferred the live and unpolished version of 'Jigsaw falling into place' when it was known as 'Open pick'. Also I know it's nitpick but I think the album reviewer spelt ethereal wrong.and it bothered me. Thom Yorkes voice makes me wanna do something revolutionary.

thanos [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 16:01

most of the guys here had already heard most of the songs from usually bad quality live recordings...and then they just commend on the album...BAD IDEA GUYS...you should have hold back and wait for the real album to come out...now you prefer the live recordings...of course...it's a rule that first you hear the album and then you see the band live...sorry for you! I loved the album, didn't know any song from before, except NUDE (Big Ideas). Easier to listen than the last 3 albums, but still with a lot of depth. Very enjoyable album, great sounds, creates beautiful landscapes in my mind...! thnx

Ro [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 16:02

...and only 160kbps and no pics...wha? C'mon Lads

tom [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 16:19

utter utter gash.

Ian [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 16:19

How can anyone judge an album after a days listen? I've had the album on repeat all day today and still finding beautiful rhythms, lyrics, beats and textures. Thom Yorke's criptic lyrics are deep and fascinating as you'd expect. People wonder why they refuse to make another album like the bends, or OK Computer... but it would be impossible for them. They are students learning about their trade, evloving, and unless a day comes where they lose their souls then we must accept the fact that Radiohead will continue to push the boundaries of their music, whether we like it or not. Just be thankful that one of the biggest mainstream acts has the bottle to follow their heads and not the stupid roads set by record labels. To say this album lacks innovation is naive. To say thom hasn't written any decent lyrics in ten years in pathetic. The only bad thing to say about this album is that it maybe felt like it had been jammed and some tracks shouldn't have stuck to the restraints of a 4 minute pop song. Videotape is a truly remarkable song, but I need to listen much more thoroughly to even consider picking a favourite. I paid a tenner, but would have liked to have seen the box set include the download as well.

[Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 17:02

a great album which focuses on minimalism rather than the epic servings of previous albums. Though, the magic is in the subtleties that come through after a few listens. Have to agree that Videotape is disappointing compared to the live versions ive previously heard, but other than that it's a triumph. A few other tracks could have been included like Bangers n Mash, Four MInute Warning (but i think Mark Owen stole that) and Spooks. Favourite track though is "Reckoner"

Joe [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 17:03

My God I cannot wait for my discbox to arrive, i mean it's the day after my sister's birthday, but that pales in comparison to this.

Dave [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 17:22

Stunning, simply stunning

krusewalker [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 17:45

I keep reading that Radiohead albums are "growers not showers", and I am not a True Radiohead Fan. If I were, people like me that have said they dont like In Rainbows would 'learn' to love it after several listens. Well, im up to sitting number 7 today. But hey, you guys aren't helping your cause, as each time i listen it not only sounds worse, but I have actually gone from boredom to annoyance to questioning if its even worth the space on my hard drive. But here's the rub. I absolutely love all the albums from OK Computer onward. AND i loved them that intensely the first minutes i heard them. So, who, exactly is the better Radiohead fan? Someone who can love or hate their music with immediate passion, or someone that has to keep trying?

Lee [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 18:37

My activation code, eventually plucked from the obscurity of my Bulk Messages folder states already used. Contacted Customer Services to no avail. Awaiting less than patiently to give my critique!!!

David [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 18:39

I would have put Bangers and Mash on it in place of All I Need. Also, the live version of Videotape was better as many have pointed out. Other than that, the album is fantastic. Radiohead have got their spark back.

Sonny [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 19:16

Regarding Videotape being a dissapointment, I agree that the live version is amazing, but it wouldn't suite the album as a whole, especially as a closing track. I love the understated sound of the album version, and it is a perfect final song. Think The Tourist, Motion Picture Soundtrack...

Max de Goede [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 20:22

People listen to me!. Radiohead are one of the best bands since the Beatles. NO DISCUSSIONS!!! In Rainbows rule and is just perfect. Screw all crappy reviews they obviously do not know what great music is People who dis this album do not have any music taste at all. This is the album of 2007. The new Sgt. Pepper???? Forever Changes! It will rule.

John [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 20:26

Has anyone else noticed that almost every song is lyrically about a broken relationship? I find it very interesting that this one is far less political than anything they have ever done since The Bends. It seems to be all about love or it's inevitable loss.

Fran. [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 20:37

Buen disco.

adrian [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 20:37

house of cards and nude are beautiful when your stoned! hair just went up on the back of my neck during house of cards!

Elton [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 20:37

I disagree with people saying that videotape is a wreck!! It is not a wreck at all. Lots of people like it. It's just because you all were accustomed to a more non-piano version of videotape. Just remember, you have 9 other songs with tons of guitars in it, and videotape has mostly keys in it, but it's perfect! A perfect ending song for this masterpiece. I have to say I can't really choose a favorite. Probably bodysnatchers, nude, arpeggi, recockner, all i need.. all of the songs are great songs (like faust arp). i'm sure this album will come really really close to OK computer... Since it's release I can't stop playing it.

d k [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 20:38

I did a dastardly thing by giving this thing it's first digital spin on the IPOD while doing my morning run through the canyon. It was a bad idea and didn't do justice to the listening experience at all. Needless to say, since I was more preoccupied by my burning calves I wasn't all that taken by In Rainbows. However, successive spins have revealed In Rainbows to be Radiohead's most beautiful album. Where OK Computer peddled in paranoia, and Kid A and Amnesiac in schizophrenia, In Rainbows feels like honest to goodness sadness (NOT depression)...and I mean it in a good way. Every song is a standout in its own way, but I was particularly bewitched by Nude, All I need, Reckoner and Videotape. I love them all really, except maybe Bodysnatchers. Cheers to Radiohead bringing us another classic.

Greenbaaron [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 20:42

I think the only both-up on this album is Videotape. It really could have been something special, but it just didn't deliver like I expected. The FROM THE BASEMENT version is better. Why, oh why did they take out the creshendo and substitute those odd drums? Oh well, the good news is that I have both versions now. What's up with Reckoner -- did anyone else expect a different song by the same name?

TOM [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 20:43

Why the hell is everyone being silly about Videotape? It's a beautiful song either way, and a recreation of the (also amazing) live version wouldn't feel right in my opinion if they had it reach the same conclusion - the jarring new ending has a stark beauty of it's own and its a fascinating way to end an album where something ominous has been lurking throughout each song. All in all, in the context of this astounding album, those closing chords say than a guitar solo and the climactic drumming ever could in this context.

Paulabs [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 20:54

krusewalker???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Very strange????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

JulesM [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 21:07

What a bunch of hype relevant lick-arses you lot are, and yes especially the people at nme... You're too scared to say anything bad about in rainbows, because it's so hyped at the moment... Don't get me wrong, it's brilliant, but it lacks a certain something that ok computer had. That blistering, hard, go as mental as you like feeling is somewhat lacking, and it's not as much of a thrill...

Fred [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 21:13

Gorgeous

dale [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 21:18

awesome album heard it seven times today all i need and jigsaw my stand out tracks

Jason [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 21:58

BEAUTIFUL album, worth all the wait.

Rob [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 22:31

That Tom @ 16:19 guy seems a bit of a helms, he needs to jog on.

Arthur Cocktrumpet [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 22:48

Absolutely bloody great!

Chris [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 23:02

It’s saying something when a 10 year-old song is the stand out tune on an album of half-baked, lazy meanderings. And it’s so short! Sure, if every song was a compact blinder, but please, almost all of Ok Computer b-side are superior to these songs. Indeed, this feels like an album of B-sides, and nothing more. And am I the only person who wishes Thom Yorke would stop singing like a baby? This vocal style has given us some very detached, watery albums. A question to anyone who recognises that old fave, ‘The Trickster’ in Jigsaw - half way through Jigsaw, doesn’t that similarity give you the urge for a stonking chorus? It doesn’t come. Apart from Nude, there aren’t any. Overall, an arrogantly lacklustre effort – I only hope the box-set proves this download to be but a trace of the real deal. Perhaps the greatest trick a band will ever pull, is to make its fans buy the same album twice.

luckywaster [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 23:36

krusewalker is a twat

Kinny [Visitor] //October 11 2007 at 23:36

What are the whiners on about? 'Video Tape' is my favourite; proves art is a very subjective personal thing, Well done Radiohead, and also lets pull them fat cat record labels apart, cut out the middleman, this is from the buyers point of view and the artists point of view. 'The people who really love the music', Why should a women in the US have to pay £101K in the US for downloadng a few songs here and there?Radioheads approach made me want to pay more and not lend it to anyone!

rf [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 00:25

i think the new "cool" is to dislike anything radiohead releases just because its radiohead. probably without even listening to the album too. i mustn't be cool so cos i think its a brilliant record from start to finish

Jolyon [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 00:27

Perfect in everyway. I love the way I can't really describe the sound of the album, as it appears to be so similar to previous efforts, and yet so uniquely new and refreshing. Faves have to be 'Nude' and 'All I Need', becuase they're just pure beauty. I pray to those of you who listen to it once feeling disappointed, to keep on listening to it, using headphones, and you'll soon be singing along to every song. My only gripe with it, is I...want...MORE!!! CD2 seems so far away.

Nic [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 00:44

Not quite getting all the Boards of Canada comparisons - All I Need sounds exactly like Roygbiv? WTF? I'm on my seventh or so listen, this time being the first through decent headphones, and as expected I'm discovering new things all the time. On the very first listen I thought 15 Step, Bodysnatchers and Faust Arp were standout tracks, really strong... now my favourite is Arpeggi - I love the chord sequence and the fact it never resolves, just beautiful. I need to give everyone's favourite Reckoner a few more listens - it just doesn't grab me like pretty much all of their previous stuff did when I first heard it. Also, Videotape I'm not too bothered about, not too keen on the riff... glad I'm not disappointed it's different from the live version though as I can't even remember them playing it at Murrayfield (if they played it... I was just too ecstatically happy, and a bit drunk) Looking forward to receiving the box set!

kbarth [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 00:48

a good radiohead album

Zach [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 09:26

Radiohead's best album...and I saw Videotape live...and I like the album version better minus the drums that kill it...I think it is by far the best record of the year and comparable to OK Computer...probably better, I cannot stop listening to it, better each time as well. easily 5 out of 5 stars. Nude, All I need, and Reckoner are probably the best song Radiohead have ever recorded in studio. Reckoner is my favorite on the album...incredibly powerful....watch it in a movie soon....bet you anything......

Barry Wood [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 10:18

Yes ! Tech Geeks have resolved download problem and I have played the album (2 days later than the rest of you but nonetheless I have heard it.) First play it washed over me. Second play I could recall every song as if I had heard them for years. Achingly beautiful. Fact .

warphead [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 11:49

I like Radiohead. I don't wet my pants over their tunes, it's pretty good but that is all. People who cling onto everything they do or start 'crying' over their music? Well their opinion I will take with a pinch of salt. Get over it. There are other artists out there just as good (who Radiohead steal from). So don't think that they are the holy grail of modern music. At the same time I still cant believe some of you are still moaning about their new direction. Kid A and HTTT are excellent albums. Strange but I think we would also appreciate some guitar shredding by the band. 'Going' electronic is not the be all and end all, they have just done a Dylan but it's! Electronic not electric. For all radiohead have tried to do is what Warp have been doing for years now. Its like Autechres Amber or Tri-Repetae with vocals.

oldie [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 12:59

when ok computer came out, all of my friends came round to listen as we were all expecting 'the bends 2'. On first listen we all went away feeling disappointed. Obviously now, its one of our all time favourite albums, but my point is classic albums don't usually show themselves on first couple of plays. This album is getting better every time I play it, and I think in a couple of weeks the doubters on this board will be changing their minds about this record. This is the best thing they've done since kid a

Andy Gilligan [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 12:59

Bodysnatchers - A stunning track that really gets things going on the album after a mid-tempo intro. Then onto All I Need, which is an absolutely amazing song. The underlying bass makes this an unforgetttable classic upon first hearing. Overall, an album that feels like one big experiment, hopefully this will be a massive success, but definitely not their best work to date. This is almost like an album you'd slot in between Kid A and Amnesic if you'd randomly listened to all their previous releases and had to place them in release order based on their sound/progression. I also believe it will be a grower, so my opinion could still change as above! well done and at last we have a new radiohead album!! yay!!

JM [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 14:13

Faust ARP is the Beatles white album in two minutes, fantastic

Ro [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 16:26

Okay, so I listened again last night and it is growin' on me, maybe I was a bit hasty with my earlier post, I really like the first few now.anyhoo I still think they should have given some artwork and bigger files...y'no there is a lot missing at 160kbps that I still am'nt into payin 40 squids for (dats a lotta Euro's for a Paddy like me)

ca_styles [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 17:41

Needs another listen to. Not bad for a quid though.

S [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 21:26

everyone whining at videotape will grow to love it at some point - obviously theyre not gonna capture exactly the same essence that made that particular live version so good! Anyways the album is truely fantastic and confirms Radiohead as one of the best bands the world has ever heard. better that 'Hail...' as good as 'Kid A', nearly as good as 'OK Computer' :0

[Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 23:18

I laugh with bewilderment every time a new RH record is released, at everyone who insists on comparing it to Bends or Kid A or OK Computer. I mean why? They've given us OK Computer.. and now they've given us this wonderful new record. We win!

Simon [Visitor] //October 12 2007 at 23:19

^^Forgot to enter my name on my post a minute ago. ;)

ste [Visitor] //October 13 2007 at 00:05

videotape is the best song ever. end of debate

Eludium-Q36 [Visitor] //October 13 2007 at 03:14

I'm not a Radio-head and was attracted to this album effort by their independent release of "In Rainbows". After listening to each track I have to say this album just doesn't work for me. It's not melodic, and their sound is characterized by heavy acoustics and a driving drum beat which I find annoying. As I listened to many of the cuts I thought to myself this would make a good soundtrack to a teenage runaway movie. The mood is dark, sullen, and melancholy. You definitely won't hear any of this in rotation on mainstream radio, at least in the US. If "In Rainbows" works for you, great, but this is not the music of my life. Rock on. :-)

kravtee [Visitor] //October 13 2007 at 05:37

Awesome, I paid $2US for the download and wish I had just bought the whole package which included the download. Next time I'll download for free and if I like it I'll buy the whole package. Love the try before you buy concept. Most record stores will allow you to sample an album before you buy it anyway. This seems like the same concept to me. Certainly a masterpiece of marketing. Definately a musical masterpiece as well. It's hard to explain other than to just say it's simply beautiful music which gets better with every listen. I wish I had the lyrics already and can't wait for the box to arrive. I think this is their best work to date. It's totally different than the other albums they have done in the past yet it still has that classic RadioHead sound. At first I thought it was a bit slow...... and well, it is. But the more I listen the more I like it...all of it. It's got a beautifully soulful and at times funky feel to it. Ok is my current favorite but In Rainbows is gaining ground fast. Disc 2 may just put it over the top for me, can't wait to hear it. It's not KidA it's not OK Computer,Bends or HTTT. It's equal to, if not better than all of them. Look, Dark side of the moon is not the same as The Wall but both are equally great albums created by a Legendary band who's music, to this day, emotionally effects people. To me, RadiaHead has just added to it's own ledgend with the creation of In Rainbows. Bravo! and thank you for sharing your music with us. Keep it coming.

Dan [Visitor] //October 13 2007 at 09:21

Grrrr. I am still waiting for my activation code. Paid a fair price for the album. Big fan of the group too. I have emailed waste three times and still no code and yes, I have checked my junk email. Advice anyone?

Chrisp [Visitor] //October 13 2007 at 11:37

This is a gentler, sader, more beautiful Radiohead album than anything before and there is not a bad song on the entire album, highlights - the brilliant Reckoner and House of Cards. Has Thom had some sort of breakdown? Forget the hype just listen to the music. One Radiohead album cannot be compared to another because they continue to evolve, each one is brilliant its own different way.

stacey wrapson [Visitor] //October 13 2007 at 16:15

My stand out track is Jigsaw falling into place. Whenever im at work ,i miss that song loads and as soon a s i get back home it goes straight on.Amazing song. --should really just put it on my ipod. I also like Nude...thats been a long one coming

[Visitor] //October 13 2007 at 22:05

Look, to compare this record to Ok comp or the Bends is totally missing the point and you will always be diappointed. This record should be judged on its own merits. Okay its a bit short and fans have been waiting for what seems an eternity for the head to give us another record. That said we are a patient bunch and the last four sons on this record are achingly beautiful especially Reckoner and Videotape.

D. Lane (visitor) [Visitor] //October 14 2007 at 14:43

Would not call myself an avid radiohead fan - i have all their albums and seen them live but rather than fall in love with any of their material immediately i find i usually have to persevere and wonder sometimes am i just missing the point with their records!!!! But alas i think this is the most accessible, brilliant and COMPLETE album since OK Computer. Trying to be different is always not necessarily a good thing and i hope this was in some little way an attempt to back - track to their earlier commercial brilliance! commerciality is not always a bad thing!!!!!!!! In fact they are probably more commercial than any other musical act/singer out there!!!!!!!!! All in all 8/10

DaddyHoggy [Visitor] //October 14 2007 at 22:11

I've never bought a Radiohead album before - in fact I've never listened to a Radiohead album all the way through before so I'm new to the band - completely untouched by their history and/or comparisons to what's gone before or what they've played live but I really, really like this album - I'm glad I downloaded it - I'm happy that I paid a fiver - I'm happy the band gets the money and not the record company. If they do this again, I'll be there. Now, if you'll excuse me I'm just going to put Nude and Reckoner on continuous loop...

BREWSTER [Visitor] //October 14 2007 at 22:36

It's *okay.*

Ilkka Leva, Finland [Visitor] //October 15 2007 at 07:38

As far as I am concerned this work of art is way better than I could ever anticipitated. I have grown accustomed to these new songs so far (I've listened the record like 12 times) and I think that R-heads have really found a light way to do it. Still moody but also very funny in a way. Thank You very much. I can't wait to get the Disc Box and more new songs.

stu [Visitor] //October 16 2007 at 02:38

ive given it a listen maybe 40-50 times now (got a week off work!) in my opinion its a more cohesive record than anything they have done before. there isnt a duff track on it, which is something ive never been able to say about any other album they have made. all i need is probably my favourite (the xylophone part almost made me ejaculate), and the final 90 secs of reckoner is better than anything coldplay have ever released. id have paid a tenner just for that! even ok computer has stuff i skip (fitter happier, electioneering). banging on about how they fucked up videotape is pointless. they cant please everyone. just take it for what it is, probably the best album of 2007. my wife is sick of it already. now if i could just get some artwork!!!

Angelica [Visitor] //October 16 2007 at 10:37

Its a marvellous album, well worth the wait. Weird Fishes is brilliant

Anthony Lambourne (genius) [Visitor] //October 17 2007 at 10:20

jonnys guitar technique rocks harder than the rock rocking on a rocking horse whilst eating a stick of rock

Drew [Visitor] //October 24 2007 at 04:47

Why would you boneheads compare this with OK Computer?? This is Radiohead NOW not 10 yrs ago. Brilliant, best yet, you heard...best yet!

So good I cant S**t. [Visitor] //October 28 2007 at 14:56

Another work of art from Radiohead. The crap that people seem to spout about the post Ok Computer releases never coming up to scratch will never go away and will never be right. Every song on every album after and including The Bends has been, at the very least, a good track but mainly have been sublime. Please, will all the pigs**t thick hemo clowns that only like pop "rock" from the likes of The Kaiser Chiefs or The George Formby tribute Band (The Arctic Monkeys) spare us from their "thoughts" about Radiohead....

Paul [Visitor] //October 28 2007 at 16:24

This is the best album Radiohead have ever ever done. I think its in the top 10 albums ever made. Started listening to it today and Im on my 3rd play. I did not think they could ever top hail to the thief let alone OK, but this! Every track is beautiful.

JR [Visitor] //November 4 2007 at 13:19

its simply brillant...respect to them for releasing it on-line and keeping the fat record companies greedy paws off their talented work. radiohead back to their consistent best. well done guys

Slartbartfast [Visitor] //November 6 2007 at 17:39

House Of Cards has a reggae vibe? You listening to the same track?

SJS [Visitor] //November 26 2007 at 20:43

K. Its not OK computer but this after about 4 listens is brill. highlight for me are Nude, Videotape, Reckoner and (though i havn't seen anyone say it) All I need. Great songs. Great album. not sure why they released Jigsaw falling into place as lead single.

rtwuuwee [Visitor] //July 10 2009 at 14:59

Very nice site!

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By Jamie Fullerton

Posted on 10/10/07 at 09:53:30 am

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