Radiohead "In Rainbows" Review

lol at capsule review

Great points. I personally tend to favor the blippy, synthy Radiohead, but this album is excellent. I definitely need to listen to it more but I think it's all ready my second favorite Radiohead album after Kid A. My favorite parts right now are "All I Need," "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" from the 3:41 point on and "Bodysnatcher." Like you said, "Bodysnatcher" is hard as f*ck. In my opinion, Thom's vocals sound like John Lydon on that track. There's such a distinctive sneer going on.

thanx 4 the review.
interesing take on the songs.
i agree with the majority of your analysis.
bottom line:
this album is EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sea lion woman

nice, i pre-ordered this last week, just got it now. can't wait to give it a listen.

I'm just listening to it for the first time right now. Sounds great!

I am a huge Radiohead fan, I own just about everything they've ever recorded, including bootlegs. I have seen them several times and they never failed to impress. Needless to say, I was super stoked about the album and the way it was being distributed. I thought it was right in step with the bands philosophy and the future of music ditribution.

It pains me to say this, but I am of the opinion this is not the bands best effort. The album is certainly a good, relaxing listen, but it really fails to hit any high points or grab me.

I am not saying I regret the £8.95 I paid, but I have to say, I was hoping for more.

I am a huge Radiohead fan, I own just about everything they've ever recorded, including bootlegs. I have seen them several times and they never failed to impress. Needless to say, I was super stoked about the album and the way it was being distributed. I thought it was right in step with the bands philosophy and the future of music ditribution.

It pains me to say this, but I am of the opinion this is not the bands best effort. The album is certainly a good, relaxing listen, but it really fails to hit any high points or grab me.

I am not saying I regret the £8.95 I paid, but I have to say, I was hoping for more.

I have to say i am loving the drums at the end of videotape

As a HUGE Radiohead fan, I also was extremely anxious for the release of this album. I don't know if I can choose a favorite from the previous releases, but I must admit that Amnesiac is one of those albums I can throw in no matter what mood I'm in and just see where it takes me. Upon my first listen through "In Rainbows" I immediately noticed a mellow vibe that they certainly pull off just as well as eny other approach. I need to listen to the album a lot more to get a better grasp of it, but my first impression is that this is a haunting, beautiful effort.

Thank god we finally get a released version of "Nude", that's all I can say!
Personal favourites (although it's still far too early to say for sure). "All I need", "Jigsaw" and "Nude".

I'm a huge fan of Radiohead, and really love a lot of the stuff here. Christ I hope CRS samples some of this for their forthcoming project.

This definitely is better than Pablo Honey and Hail to the Thief, and maybe better than Kid A or Amnesiac. I'm not sure which, those two flop back and forth in my list all the time.

Hm... someone should tell Kanye, Lupe, and Pharrell to release CRS in a similar way. It would make my life easier.

You know, I'm loving the dreamyness almost angelic feel that "In Rainbows" gives off. Even after the first listen it's remarkably easy to get into. However, like many others I am a bit dissappointed with the studio version of "Videotape." I was in love with the live version from the 2006 Bonnaroo festival and was compelled to hear it on cd. IN all honesty, I think it lost a lot of its expresionism and depth. Its stale in comparisson, but let's hope that like "Morning Bell" another version will be released in the future! Overall, it's another great Radiohead album! I think it's quite possibly their most mature album to date. Not my favorite, but amazing none the less.

You know, I'm loving the dreamyness almost angelic feel that "In Rainbows" gives off. Even after the first listen it's remarkably easy to get into. However, like many others I am a bit dissappointed with the studio version of "Videotape." I was in love with the live version from the 2006 Bonnaroo festival and was compelled to hear it on cd. IN all honesty, I think it lost a lot of its expresionism and depth. Its stale in comparisson, but let's hope that like "Morning Bell" another version will be released in the future! Overall, it's another great Radiohead album! I think it's quite possibly their most mature album to date. Not my favorite, but amazing none the less.

You know, I'm loving the dreamyness almost angelic feel that "In Rainbows" gives off. Even after the first listen it's remarkably easy to get into. However, like many others I am a bit dissappointed with the studio version of "Videotape." I was in love with the live version from the 2006 Bonnaroo festival and was compelled to hear it on cd. In all honesty, I think it lost a lot of it's expresionism and depth. It's stale in comparisson, but let's hope that like "Morning Bell" another version will be released in the future! Overall, it's another great Radiohead album! In the end, I think its quite possibly their most mature album to date. Not my favorite, but amazing none the less.

The most immediately accessible, and consistent Radiohead album since The Bends. It only took two listens for me to conclude that it is absolutely wonderful. Personal highlights for me are Nude, Reckoner, House of Cards but most of all Bodysnatchers, which is the best track I've heard by anyone all year! Fantastic stuff!

Damn! every review Ive read has been great, and I cant access the website for some reason. Im searching slsk right now and cant wait. I'll pay later.

Nate, I'm with you on Videotape. i was at that performance and was just BLOWN away.

Huh... If "OK COMPUTER" was your fav album so far, then "IN RAINBOWS" (noticed the number of letters, hey?) might be your FIRST favorite.

Do I really have to start this with the obligatory "I'M A HUGE FAN OF RADIOHEAD!!!1!" - because I am, it just seems a little obvious.

This album rocks. People expecting a complete "return" to "form" need to get real. These guys have moved on. And we're lucky for it.

If I read one more pretentious BS comment about "I saw Radiohead perform Videotape in Jun. 2006 and it was SO MUCH BETTER LIVE!!!!" I think I'll puke. Shut up. We don't care. Some life-long dedicated Radiohead fans haven't ever seen them live. Some of us are hearing these songs for the FIRST TIME. And I for one, LOVE every one of them.

Quit with the "it was better live" crap - it's already been done. You can't ruin it for me.

I've ended up listening to this album for 7 times!!!
What I really don't understand why people are trying to create some parallel between this album and some others.
This album is a unique master piece!! It so great that it is beyond believe. Radiohead simply shines!!!

I too am a huge Radiohead fan, although I've been unimpressed with anything since OK Computer. Tom is too whiny. Lacks passion. Songs lack any hooks, or complex structures. Songs never really go anywhere. Elevator music at best. Nice for background music in Great things can't last forever.

In Rainbows is a Masterpiece.

Personally, while I really like it at first blush, I've learned that it takes many listening to really get a handle on any Radiohead recording and even listening to it multiple time in one day doesn't suffice: it needs time to ferment in your unconscious.

I'd love to see this review in a month, and see what nuances have surfaced.

I realise I'm in the minority with this, but after repeated listenings (yes, I have no life and yes, I LOVE this album. Right up there w/OKC & KidA) the drums on "videotape" have really grown on me. I like how they push/pull the beat to this uncomfortable place. It adds this tension to the song right as you've settled in to this really solid 4 with the piano. The lyrics are incredible (with the same kind of tension) as well. Man, I love how much this band gives you to listen to! I'm into straight 3 chord rock/pop/hiphop as much as anyone, but it's so great to have this band around to give us these well-crafted, dense songs to tickle our ears. Even at their worst, they're great--and rarely over-indulgent. And all for the fair price of "pay what you want". Love it!

All I Need is a great song - this album is very good.

All I Need is a great song - this album is very good.

i have to say i was doubting radiohead after HTTT, but this totally redeemed them. they seem to really have become masters of their instruments, with the guitar lines sounding absolutely nice and soft in most tracks, the bass has definitely been turned up a bit(which i'm really digging), phil has definately
improved his drumming style, and thom's vocals are top notch. also loving the mastering, and how organic some of the drums/guitar sound. great album all the way through, and just enough of their electronica influence shines through on these tracks.

it's pretty good, not got to know it yet. Its nowhere near the standard of kid A or Ok Computer but its still pretty good.

I'm happy that its not just a repeat of hail to the theif, I thought maybe radiohead had reached that 'default sound' stage many bands get to. Its a bit short but then I found HTTF was a bit of a long slog of lots of short songs, so this is a better format.

If you've heard yorks 'the eraser' then the similarities are pretty obvious, but its got the other members sounds mixed in as well to make it a bit more, well... lush.

I was honestly suprised that it does have a distinct sound, which is nice, its eraserish with some slightly late-floydian sounds and, dare I say it, Its slightly less depressed than any radiohead album since pablo honey.

Realistically I don't think radiohead will ever produce anything of the Ok computer/kid A standard again, which is a pity because with a little more song correlation, more distinct sound rather than overdubbed layering, and experimentation they could make an amazing album.

but this is the noughties, and this is the decade of music which is... ok

I really dont thing that this was a full honest effort by radiohead. First of all what was up with the love song. Toms a dark man, and he wrote dark stuff better than anyone, what happened? When it was over I had to ask my self if the band even listened to it before they released it. it seemed to lack all of the great things that made the other albums so great. The second thing i noticed was the progression within the songs. they never really built up, they just started and held the same energy. Later i realized the main thing that was missing, the horns! I heard that Jonny's favorite album was Miles Davis' Bitches Brew. after listening to this album, i could guess that none of these men had ever heard of miles davis. This album also reminded me of the mars volta's new album. which i didnt really care for, and i see the things that mars volta did that made the new cd suck, and radiohead kind of repeating them. it just didnt hit the mark for me.

Another Masterpiece. This band is clearly above all other bands, they're just so original, so creative.. Their albums have jazz,rock,techno,pop,alternatives,chillout.. So many styles, they are the best and this album is perfect.

Certainly stronger as a whole than Hail to the Theif in terms of flow and cohesion. But I gotta say I'm disappointed, mainly in Thom. While the band is tighter than ever, his vocals are more mumbled than ever and his melodies seem uninspired and flat. This doesn't come close to touching OK COMP or KID A, and as far as calling it similar to OK COMPUTER? WTF? I see it as most similar to KID A except muddier and less memorable. Sorry Thom.

This is super-sh.t! I used to like Radiohead, but they've got worse and worse. I think I'll stop bothering hoping they'll eventually write another decent song.

Lovin the new radiohead album as always its an event. best artist in history. httt was kind of hard to listen to but i cant stop listening to this. no other band could make a song like all i need absolutely amazing. still dont know it inside out yet which is exciting in itself.
best tracks are all i need, videotape bodysnatchers and faust ARP

The drums and pretty much everything on Videotape are meant to sound like a tape that is stuck, or misaligned. Which is pretty amazing because it puts the listener into the perspective of the person watching the a suicide goodbye note.

So no, the album version is better.

I promise you Thom is hating all these thoughtless gripes on what is probably his fav track on the album.

Bloody great!

All subjective kids!

i, a huge radiohead fan, appreciate there ability to change their sound. however, i feel this album is not up to par to the rest. maybe they are too involved in raising kids? i dont know, but it lacks the splendor of the rest.

i, a huge radiohead fan, appreciate there ability to change their sound. however, i feel this album lacks the splendor of their rest. maybe they are too involved in raising kids? being four years since the last album, i expected them to blow me away, with a new exploration of their sound. i am dissapointed with 'in rainbows', it is not a bad album, but i feel something is missing, it is not a complete album that flows as good as 'ok computer' , 'kid a' or 'hail to the thief"

Generally I'm the guy who gets annoyed at the way that most fans are too afraid to criticize the work of the band they're obsessed with on the message boards because everyone seems to be in a "NO I'M THE BIGGEST FAN" competition (when I first saw the new marketing model I did a lot of bitching on some YouTube comments and pissed a few people off) ...But I reluctantly say that I do consider myself something that I won't describe as a "huge fan" but I am part of the rabid losers who stayed up all night unable to sleep waiting for the e-mail, AND I spent at LEAST $250 for Bonnaroo 2006 to have possibly the most religiously beautiful music experience of my whole life.

The new album is freakin' great is my relatively unbiased analysis. For the people that say they aren't impressed with it, I very much doubt that they could say that HTTT is a superior album.
And yes, OKC and KidA will always be untouchable, but it's not because of the songcraft IMHO... You can only Create a sound that everyone's been waiting for but didn't really know what it was or how it would be done once...
I agree that they're not in default sound mode, but compared to what they did to change the overall soundscape of music in the 90's (anyone who says it wasn't a drastic change in retrospect really doesn't remember much about how claustrophobicly unexperimental things were compared to now) they don't really have any way to evolve much more do they? After you fuse IDM and british alt rock where the hell can you go?
If this album had come out at the time OK computer had come out it woudl have been just as mind blowing (although yes the lyrics started going downhill after Kid A)..
This is WAY too long, sorry everyone
Oh, one more thing.. The bootlegs this time are of VERY high quality since they allowed recording at Bonnaroo. I think their intention this time was for people to burn songs like Videotape onto the same CD, they obviously left some room with just 10 songs.. Throw a bonus track on there too man.. They're little edible plates.

Kid A/Amnesiac are better ( well, they are the best :)). However, i found "In rainbows " delightful.
5 stars!!!

I honestly love the album. It's really good, so far my fave is Nude.

I won't bother judging the album on a whole until I hear those extra 8 songs left over for the full retail version.

I'm on my fifth listen or so, and while I do like the overall tone and feel of the album, I'm a little disappointed that the World's Greatest Band didn't take more risks with their first independent release. This time around, tracks like "All I Need," "Reckoner," and "Videotape" are definitely hitting me pretty hard and well, but the problem is they're all hitting me in the same way. I'm waiting for the energy -- the high that pulls me out of one of the band's trademark hypnotic drifts.

My feelings may change over the next few weeks/months/years, but this is how I feel now.

Bodysnatchers is sung in a very similar style to a cover song radiohead did several years in a live performance of Can's Thief (forget if that's right title for it). Good stuff!

I actually think this album is balls. It has no character, it's so wishy washy.
I can only get into the first song, that is a strong and interesting track. I wish Radiohead had quit before Hail to the Thief.

i thoroughly disagree with your opinion on the drums at the end of videotape. they add so much power and emotion as they remind me of the beating heart of the person in the song who is talking about dying (this is my way of saying goodbye..) the drums start fluttering and faultering as if the heart was nearing death, until they fade out and eventually stop at the end. makes the song in my opinion

Very standard rock, very standard structures, very standard harmonies , sometimes seems Coldplay (nooo!), sometimes U2...I think it has no the same blood and freshness of old works as Amnesiac, Kid A...but it will be be good for OK Computer fans.

Very standard rock, structures and harmonies. sometimes seems Coldplay (nooo!), sometimes U2, specially taking account of the vocals, wich I think they are boring this time...I think it has no the same blood and freshness of old works as Amnesiac, Kid A...but it will be be good for OK Computer fans.

I love this album. Up there with OKC and Amnesiac. Absolutely beautiful. I also enjoyed that it was totally different from both HTTT and The Eraser. These guys never repeat themselves.

I don't think anybody considers the nature of the song "videotape". The drums are excellent, and exactly, sounds like some out-of-phase tape spinning and clunking. If you don't like the drums, rip the "from the basement" version and put it on mp3. Listen carefully towards the end of the song, and you can hear a distorted bass lead noise behind thom's piano. It is awesome.

What a bunch of fucking losers you all are. I have radiohead tatood on me. This isn't the fucking greatest rock record of all time, nor is it anywhere near the least. This band has had a hard time finding an honest sound since the bends. Its like going from REM to dark side of the moon to whatever the hell kid a was (and it was fucking great). This is an interesting album in the same way the beatles made intersting albums. Maybe this is the first radiohead album we've heard since Ok. Like they've finally established a consistent sound and started rocking again. Better than hail. GODDAM did you hear some of the songs on the second cd thats coming out, down is the new up, 4 minute warning...damn

I thought the drums on Videotape were the best part. I heard some early piano versions and they sounded like dated radiohead. Im glad they decided to keep it fresh with the interesting arrangement. If the consensus is hating on the drums than the consensus sucks.

I just finished listening to it for the first time. I downloaded it for free to see what it was like. After the first couple of songs I was on their web site, ordering the 40 quid boxed version!

This album is a real watershed for Radiohead fans. It has not a single suck song on it -- it's all great. It's also their most accessible album: I enjoyed every song on the first listening.

Radiohead keep re-inventing themselves with wonderful effect. So if you've been waiting for another OK Computer or Kid A or HTTT (all brilliant albums in their own rights) you'll be disappointed because this is something else, something new. They've developed a smoother blend of melody and harmony; they've kept some of the sound effecty stuff but integrated it better into the songs so it enhances rather than predominates. This could be their most finely-crafted album yet.

You have to listen to any Radiohead album a few times to really appreciate it, but so far I love In Rainbows. Radiohead keep their title as the greatest rock act on the planet -- fantastic!

Drums on Videotape are MAAAAAD ill. End of.

The more I listen to In Rainbows, the more I love it. I really think it's a masterpiece and right up there with OK Computer.

This album is truly amazing. I have listened to live tracks of all of these songs for way to long. This review is completely accurate. Ok Computer, Hail To The Theif, and Pablo Honey all in one. Though I tend to dislike some of their soft more simplistic music, this album grabbed me right away. I think Radiohead made an excellent choice with the distribution of the mp3s. Without a label,I know I am definietly enticed to donate at least $5. Who could not love this band?

I loved all of the crunchy guitars and noise from their first three albums. Then they got all atmospheric and trippy (how'd you put it - blip-bloop?) and, while I applauded the band for doing "what they want, not what fans tell them to do" it left me completely cold. Hearing everyone go all ga-ga for "Kid A" and "Amnesiac" actually confused me because I just couldn't "get" whatever the hell it was that people were hearing on them. I actually have downloaded and played those two a few times over the past couple of years to see if I could finally understand what I was missing - but so far, no luck. My loss I guess, right?

This new one is a sort of hybrid. I hear some melodies actually popping out there somewhere for a change. This is my second time spinning through it and so far it rates an "O.K." for me. Doesn't rock my world, but isn't as sleep-inducing (for me!) as their past (3? 4?) albums since OK Computer.

That being said - I again want to defend them for playing whatever the hell they want. They get a big thumbs-up from me for that. I have just been disappointed that the direction they chose to go was a direction in which I apparently didn't care to follow them.

So, we'll see if this thing grows on me after a few more times. Fingers crossed!

-Charles

there were some pretty cool similarities with old b-sides that I picked up on in some of the tracks - like The Trickster, Punchdrunk Lovesick Singalong and Talk Show Host...I kind of caught the vibe of those ... which I thought was great, I'm a bit of a b-side fan when it comes to their old material. I'm loving this album tho, and in my own opinion, Faust Arp was the furthest stretch from their territory, and totally amazed me. All of the songs on this album are growing on me really fast ... I would have to say it is a job well done!

Wow, i was a big Radiohead fan before this album but now it's just an obsession. I have not taken my iPod off of single song repeat with Videotape the centerpiece of my day. Seriously I like it so much I have be learning to play it since I heard it. His high falsettos are tough for me but it's such a good song. All I Need is amazing as well.

The Nina Simone aside about "15 Step"? Excellent, excellent point.

I was lucky enough to see Radiohead at Bonnaroo also and was floored by Videotape. That being said, I think the studio version is perfect. If the song was meant to be beautiful, I'd be upset with the percussion too, but its not. It screams purgatory to me. Its a dirge! Its a death march. The percussion makes it more of what I believe it was intended to be.

I've listened to the album several times and read the comments on this site. Musicians are people, and people grow and learn. It is insulting to expect Radiohead to maintain a certain sound. As we grow and learn, we find unique ways to express ourselves. Radiohead has found yet another unique way to express themselves and I have found In Rainbows to be an eloquent expression of music which does indeed draw from all their past albums. If you are familiar with all of their albums it's not difficult to see the progression and how they arrived at In Rainbows. There are certainly several tracks I have enjoyed above others, but overall it's a very strong album. Thanks again gentlemen.

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. :-)

Amazed to see reviews submitted on same day of release !! how is that possible ! - Its still too early but Well Done radiohead. Another excellent addition to a discography that can only be equalled by artists like the beatles. They seem to be in good form again as I think 'eraser' and 'in rainbows' are probably the best albums since 'kid A'. Probably the best collection of individual songs they have produced since 'the bends'. Best album I have heard this year. Thanks.

maybe too early, but as a big radiohead fan I'm of the opinion that 'reckoner' just may be their masterpiece.

Um, "not melodic?" "Very standard rock?" Why do people post a response to a music review when they can't actually hear the music?

Reading Thom's comments at the time of HTTT's release, it sounded like the guys were moving toward longer pieces with more experimentation. Instead, we get thoroughly worked out mini-symphonies, with intelligent builds, accents, transitions and conclusions. How would you label it, when almost every song has its own unique structure, instrumentation, phrasing? I hear bossa nova in there, fuzz-tone rock, choir music, a funeral dirge. What is this? Modern rock? Radio-friendly techno? Grunge crossed with art rock? Mood music? Great stuff. Challenging to hear, impossible to pigeonhole. This is the stuff that makes people want to follow you around, Thom. Good luck with that paranoia thing, 'cause genius music like this might make it worse. But please don't stop.

I started to listen to this album while going to sleep, but Bodysnatchers terrified me.
Bassett's "Haunting, beautiful" is a great way to describe this album.

I used to be a radiohead fan. I was addicted to radiohead. But I kind of lost track of them for some years, until today i noticed the release of their new album.

Well, all in all: This is the most boring crap that people have made a hype of that i could think of in years.

Give it a rest guys. The only reasons I can imagine, why people where crazy about this band since kid A are:

1. People think that radiohead are "deep" only because Thom Yorke has made a technique out of yowling cryptic lines, that aren't worth to think about for one second.

2. People think that radiohead are experimental because they convulsively try to be interesting.

3. People think that they are part of a kind of underground movement, only because radiohead take the luxury to not follow the rules of the market and state sweet comments on political issues they will never have to cope with.

Wake up people. This is bullshit.

The only song I can really listen to smiling is 'Faust Arp', because I imagine Elliott Smith, Paul McCartney and Thom Yorke writing this as a part of their gestalt therapy in a mental home in switzerland.

I've only listnd to it twice, but the strong moments made me forget about it's weaker points. After the 2nd listen i realised i enjoyed it a hell of a lot more than the 1st time, i think it'll be one that grows on people like Hail to The Thief. Dunno why everyone seems to be bag'n the drums on 'video tape', they make it sound more like Sigur Ros, which is sweeeet.

Also, as great as the new version of nude is (Word to jonny's score on that one), does anyone else think the ok computer tour version is better? I do, it's got Dark Side of the Moon written all over it. Wish it still had that organ and glockenspiel part.

It's not life changing like 'ok computer', 'kid a' and 'amnesiac' were for me, but it's a good collection of songs from an amazing band. oh, and there's no electro and 80's on there, which makes it better than %95 of crap being released today. destroy the 80's.

BAD record, bad songs!! only like Nude and All I need. After OK and Kid A, they have gone way down hill. I dont understand how anyone thinks this album is hreat!!! The songs go nowhere, the production is okay and Thom is whiny. I must say though, the vocal on Nude is one of the best I have ever heard. But the rest of the album is just not happening. I was hoping for another OK computer, this isnt close

Let's all stop with the whole Kid A being their best album thing or even second best. Let's not forget the bends. Kid A was such a huge disappointment. As is this. It just keeps getting worse with them. Someone said it best. This album has the same driving annoying beat the whole way through. At least with hail to the thief we had "There, there." I'll keep listening to it, but like I keeping telling Axl Rose, don't release it, just go on tour, play the old stuff and people will come. Keep playing Creep and Sweet Child O' Mine. That's what got you there boys, don't forget where you came from!

WOW .. this album is getting ever more beautiful with every listen . I'm mesmerized. Being a huge Radiohead fan, I've followed them since Ok computer and i gotta say this album is the only of the latter albums that has got me this excited. The fact that the band had decided to release it in this fashion also has the fans buzzing with excitement and forums and blogs overloading with evaluative thoughts. When the greatest band in the world decides to avoid the traditional corporate distribution process you can almost hear the industry cry with the realization that there days are numbered! let this be the future

Thank you ever so much Radiohead .. we love you

This album is amazing! I can't say how many times I've listened to it in the past week. Definately has my vote for CD of the year (sorry Wilco, Interpol, and LCD Soundsytem). I don't really think that there is a weakness throughout the album. It draws off of past records for sure, but only makes it better. I think as a whole, this is better than HTTT. 9 out of 10 for me

The last 60 seconds ruins All I Need....

The last 60 seconds ruins All I Need....

I like it but agree with others that something is missing. I think that something is one more fantastic song. I've come to expect it with radiohead albums. Sure, all the songs are generally good/great but there are usually more OUTSTANDING songs. Most of their albums have about 5. This one, in my humble opinion has at most 4. Amazing how one of the songs where Thom gets high pitched sounds like Clinic (who sounds like radiohead).

Radiohead has been my favorite band since the Bends. After hearing this last effort, I have to put the latest Muse album slightly ahead.

Hopefully, the other head (Portishead) will surpass them both shortly.

This album is an absolute masterpiece. I've never heard "Videotape" live. The album version is the first and only version I'd ever heard, and it has had me crying my eyes out since the first listen. I can't even explain why... I guess that is part of the genius of it all.
Musical moments like this one don't come around often. Celebrate this band. They are true masters of their craft.

Hate to be the heretic, but I think this may be better than Kid A and OK Computer. Kid A and OK Computer were both groundbreaking and unique, but it is the maturity of this album that to me makes it Radiohead's best. Without a record deal, it is like they rediscovered the basic elements of their music and created something profoundly minimal that you can feel in your gut.

This album is really easy to listen to. Need to listen to it some more but certainly excellent overall. The relatively minimalist approach, I believe is an intentional shift by the band from the hyper-produced HTTT and I am fully in support of growth/change in any form of artistic expression.

I have listened to the bootlegs so much that I have grown attached to the more frenetic live versions of the new songs--especially Arpeggi and Videotape (I prefer the crunchier desperate live version).

So all you fans out there like a certain style of Radiohead right? You either like the old style (Pablo) or rock stadium style (Bends) or dark experimental (Kid A / Amnesiac) yet for Ok computer it’s in a world of its own just like HTTT. Everyone has different tastes. I like to add my favourite taste so far (if you can target it at one song) it would be ‘Let Down’…..now finally with the hopes in my waiting I’ve found the song ‘All I need’ and yes ‘In Rainbows’ is all I need now if they were to quit.

So everyone has a favourite right? Yet it’s not that simple because us Radiohead fans can’t help but love everything they do. Their history is about progression with each new album, and it’s plain to see that in this latest album ‘In Rainbows.’ The undone from the past (Nude, Reckoner) has finally found a home because it all fits into place, (like a jigsaw!)

Forget all the negative thoughts, picking out all the parts which could be better; if you choose to hear the live versions, you are bound to be disappointed with something, like I was with ‘Videotape.’ Forget the past; embrace this fresh new finished album because like any great album, it takes many listens to find your inner love for the music.

Because this has been created with the rightly path of progression and it tries to satisfy all you people out there that may like a certain style of Radiohead. And I believe it has succeeded……just you wait till the next release because it’s going to in the lines of Kid A with flashes of lush white shapes of sound, a progression of there new dreamy spaced sounds that start to develop in this latest album.
Let my hoping begin all over again!

I really enjoy just working with this on the headphones. A smooth, ambient album on the whole which just lets me space out and enjoy. As good as their last 3 (Not really a fan of Pablo Honey, OK Computer or the Bends)

Radiohead keeps finding ways to top themselves (I don't know why everybody bashes httt, but whatever). Jigsaw's my favorite. I prefer the live versions of All I Need somewhat, but the piano bit at the end is incredible. I miss the xylophone in the live versions, it's still there, but not as prominent. What's wrong with the elecrtonic drums on Videotape?

Does this album effect the charts at all?

First of all I'm really impressed of how much reviews have been written in less than 1 week since the release of the album, if I've learned anything from being a radiohead fan for the last 8 years is to let a recently-released album grow on me for quite a few weeks to really understand and criticize it , but that's just me.. also i don't think people should compare it with other albums cause the ability to reinvent their music is one of the things that make this band so great, i've specially noticed a lot of bad comments of HTTT but i gotta say i believe sit down stand up to be one of the best radiohead songs ever; as for in rainbows i won't say much cause i'll probably change my mind later but i really love 15 step (i'm listening to it right now for the 58th time) and i like the early version of nude better when it had that organ line at the end

wow. crazy. last night i was listening to it for the first time and i made a comment to my friend about how 15 step kinda reminded me of nina simone and particularly see line woman.

crazy.

did you get inside my head?

I have never listened to another album so many times within a short time span. I dig every song on "In Rainbows", which I can't say about anything else in the past few years (as much as I enjoyed Arcade Fire's "Funeral"). I would have to go back to "The Bends" (c'mon, "The Bends" is better than "OK Computer") to find a solid masterpiece, brilliant and irresistsble from beginning to end.

On my third listen to 'In Rainbows' i thought, this is amazing. On my fourth listen i thought, THIS IS RADIOHEAD'S BEST ALBUM. No question.

Absolutely brilliant, beautiful.

i won't pontificate on the styles of each Radiohead album or what it's effect on the music scene is or has been or try to pin any intellectual observation (which only serves to bend the outcome really) into the lives of the band members, blah blah blah. i will describe how this particular album, a distinct entity from every previous album by definition, makes me sense it. i like the production quality, and the subtlety of musical nuisances makes it appealing. it may not jive with what you were wanting to hear, but i think it very well captures what the band wanted to convey. and that's the mark of a fine album methinx. that and i have been listening to it non-stop since i downloaded it a week ago. i have been in contact with professional counselors, thank you.
and really, isn't this a great album to light a few candles and spend a few hours in total lip lock with one you love or lust to? you know it is. go on and admit it. you'll feel better

There's still what another seven tracks to be released. Oh my, December can't get here fast enough.

JIM YOU ARE AN IDIOT. ITS NOT FEISTS TAKE, HE"S TALKING ABOUT NINA SIMONE YOU DUMBFUCK SEE LINE WOMAN. I HATE PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO THINK THEY ARE ALL KNOWING AND NEED TO CORRECT PEOPLE WHEN YOU ARE WWWWWWWWWWWWW RRRRRRRRRRRRRR OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN GGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

This is my favorite since OK Computer no doubt. I just wish there we're one or two tracks where Thom really hit that high energy/pissed off pitch he's so good at doing. That would have took it over the top for me. Comes close in Jigsaw...but not enough.

Album's fantastic though....I was waiting for them to get back to something more like this. My Favorite is probably All I Need...just an extremely well put together song beginning to end.

it's brilliant. it's soothing, moody, incredible... every track.

I think this album is their best work.

quick question..... WHY IN THE $h!t ?

is everyone throwing Kid A / OK computer in the same basket.

I mean really ?... maybe they were both great albums in your opinion... but they are completely different dirrections for Radiohead.

my personal opinion: OK computer is still Radiohead's masterpiece by far. Kid A was a fun experiment by a good band.

In Rainbows is much more "like" OK computer but just much too short and less well put together if you are listening from start to finish.

As Mr. Jsmooth pointed out, I did wet my pants a bit when I realised what "Nude" ... so yea thats my favorite track.

last but not least:

how can you complain about Thom not being dark enough/making love songs etc ?
1. the title of the ALBUM is "In Rainbows"
2. there are plenty of dark lyrics/themes here anyway...
3. Guys need love too
4. Personally, I found the whole album haunting , it felt like even the loved up songs were either ironic or melancholy or both , just reminded me of the pain of lost lovers.....darker than ever really... did I mention "Nude" ?

OK... After having read these reviews, I understand that I probably got some CRC errors in my downloaded copy. Because I can't hear nothing but total, utter and complete shite.

No wait! I forgot: that's what these guys have been producing since OK Computer. So nothing new here.

Every song that they have ever recorded has been flawless.

They've got it down.

Listen.

Musically this album sounds to me to be the siamese twin to Hail to the Thief. Lyrically, it seems to be another patchwork of familiar Yorke-ian moods. My zero pounds and zero pence have been well spent.

jigsaw falling into place...best track on the album
but for me the whole album's mood is more mature
a little fire but it's still hot!

Album sucks, I got more excited about a root canal compared to this piece of crap. Instead of buying this, buy yourself a clue to all those claiming that this is the record of the year. This is not music, this a complete none sense that I spent 7.00 US dollars to much. I would rather light myself on fire that to have to liten to this garbage again.

I'd hate to be you Mike. suck to hate something so beautiful. This album is excellent throughout, and the 7.00 US dollars I paid is money well spent. Radiohead are masters of the art. Reckoner, All I Need,15 Step,Wierd Fishes_Arpeggi, and Videotape are all incredible songs.

very ggod in deed

twat twat fuck, shit bollocks bollocks cum shit wank fuck tit tit. twat twatty twat-twat dung-flicker poo-bum.

videotape FTW

The guy that said the songs stay in the same place and never gain ground is confusing me. I love to start grooving to Jigsaw, by the end of the song i feel like going into a violent femme convulsion. These guys are the most talented band in the world. I used to think it was the smashing pumpkins but these guys won't quit. Thom if you ever read this tell me where you rest your head.

I am absolutely floored by this album. It's all I can listen to - my typical reaction to a Radiohead release. All of their albums are brilliant and this one is no different. I can hear pieces of every album etched into this one, giving this a very mature and refined feel. Every song is catchy in it's own way. Definitely a more 'romantic' album than usual. I can't think of a band that creates more unique, intelligent, thought provoking, moving, beautiful music. My only complaint is that the album only has ten songs. I am a selfish prick and want more. Radiohead is by far the best rock band of our generation.

I am absolutely floored by this album. It's all I can listen to - my typical reaction to a Radiohead release. All of their albums are brilliant and this one is no different. I can hear pieces of every album etched into this one, giving this a very mature and refined feel. Every song is catchy in it's own way. Definitely a more 'romantic' album than usual. I can't think of a band that creates more unique, intelligent, thought provoking, moving, beautiful music. My only complaint is that the album only has ten songs. I am a selfish prick and want more. Radiohead is by far the best rock band of our generation.

These guys are starting to sound really confident, much less paranoid. Like they said "Hey! were the best band in the world. Let's start acting like it". I've listened to this like, 8 times, and I've got to say, it's the best stuff since Kid A.Jigsaw is my favorite, but house of cards and nude are really growing on me. The only problem is I don't think this album set an overall mood like it's predicessors. You got songs like 15 step that make you want to get up and dance, and songs like Videotape that make you want to lock yourself in a closet and cry. 5 stars though. Looking forward to the bonus tracks in December.

Their music keeps evolving as they create their own type of sound and music (even their sale marketing for this new album is quite radical and original). I'm reading some comments here about fans hoping for another 'OK computer' type of album and such. You know what, 'In Rainbows' stands on its own. It's GREAT, it flows. According to interviews with the band, they had a great time making it, they are enjoying performing it live etc... so that's v.nice to hear for them. I like this album as much as their other ones. Look at their work as a collection of albums throughout the past decade they've been around and not as just one particular album. They've proven they aren't a one-hit wonder, they can innovate and challenge themselves, and they aren't music artists wearing a pepsi t-shirt or endorsing 'candie products' or whatsoever. They are doing their own thing. They are one of a kind to be reckon with!

Their music keeps evolving as they create their own type of sound and music (even their sale marketing for this new album is quite radical and original). I'm reading some comments here about fans hoping for another 'OK computer' type of album and such. You know what, 'In Rainbows' stands on its own. It's GREAT, it flows. According to interviews with the band, they had a great time making it, they are enjoying performing it live etc... so that's v.nice to hear for them. I like this album as much as their other ones. Look at their work as a collection of albums throughout the past decade they've been around and not as just one particular album. They've proven they aren't a one-hit wonder, they can innovate and challenge themselves, and they aren't music artists wearing a pepsi t-shirt or endorsing 'candie products' or whatsoever. They are doing their own thing. They are one of a kind to be reckon with!

The more I listen to the In Rainbows album the more I love it. It has moved into my favorite spot. Every song on the album is a work of art, and are each beautiful in their own right. I love Radiohead and I will always love Radiohead. The boys have out done themselves this time. Congratulations!
Reckoner, All I Need and Arpeggi have me mezmorized!
Thank you!

This album is a nice change from everything else you hear on the radio. Artistic, creative and rockin at the same time, radiohead seems to have their own sound that cannot be duplicated. Sorry "MUSE" I'll stick with the original.

best album since OK Computer. Unlike, Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief I can actually listen to this album more than 10 times. Kid A is rad too....... In Rainbow is just less depressing.
Great Album! Thanks Radiohead!

The album is way better than it should be. I've been waiting on this album to come out forever. Can't believe I got on a websit one random night and found out it was coming out. Every track is perfect. The album as a whole sounds like the band is saying "We tried to change the world but we didn't, but we are not giving up but in the mean time let's rock." There is a lot of odes to all the albums of the past. Every now on then on a song you will hear a little bit of kid a or ok computer, but then it goes in a completely new direction. Incredile, and worth the wait. Can't wait for the tour!!!!!!!!!!

The album is way better than it should be. I've been waiting on this album to come out forever. Can't believe I got on a websit one random night and found out it was coming out. Every track is perfect. The album as a whole sounds like the band is saying "We tried to change the world but we didn't, but we are not giving up but in the mean time let's rock." There is a lot of odes to all the albums of the past. Every now on then on a song you will hear a little bit of kid a or ok computer, but then it goes in a completely new direction. Incredile, and worth the wait. Makes me appreciate Eraser even more. Can't wait for the tour!!!!!!!!!!

The album is way better than it should be. I've been waiting on this album to come out forever. Can't believe I got on a websit one random night and found out it was coming out. Every track is perfect. The album as a whole sounds like the band is saying "We tried to change the world but we didn't, but we are not giving up but in the mean time let's rock." There is a lot of odes to all the albums of the past. Every now on then on a song you will hear a little bit of kid a or ok computer, but then it goes in a completely new direction. Incredile, and worth the wait. Makes me appreciate Eraser even more. Can't wait for the tour!!!!!!!!!!

I don't like it. I don't think it sounds much different then Kid A, Hail to the Thief & Amnesiac. Unless I'm missing something I don't think it even comes close to The Bends or OK Computer.

http://www.bizak.com

ok, so. you peeps who keep dissing radiohead's evolution as a band need to just go suck a railroad spike!!!
everything they touch is gold... THERE I SAID IT!
even httt had it's high points! heck, a handfull of my fav radiohead songs are on httt.
and if you're so high and mighty that you can bash something as gorgeous/amazing as the new album, then why don't you go get off your fat a##, and spend the next 20 years changing the face of music like radiohead has!!! go write a "karma police" and a "pyramid song" and a "reckoner". and as soon as you do, then maybe... just maybe your opinion will matter.
or tell you what, if radiohead's not doing it for you, why not just turn on the radio like all the other sheep, and let the labels decide what you'll listen to. they seem to know EXACTLY what we (the public) want, apparently.

right, tom. radiohead is one of the few bands from the 90's that hasn't lost their cool. in addition to in rainbows being an outstanding mix of music, they offer it for FREE. how can people diss them?

I downloaded the album last night, so I haven't had the chance to listen to all of it yet. But what I have listened to has been fantastic.

My brother had told me, and I concur, that Tom's vocals seem to be more up front than in other recent albums.

I don't have a whole lot else to say at this point except that I'm a bit surprised by how many people are knocking Hail to the Thief. Certainly, it isn't my favorite album either (Kid A changed my life forever), but there are some excellent tracks on it. From what I can tell, we owe a lot of In Rainbows to Hail to the Thief, primarily because of the reemergence of guitar, which was largely--but not totally--absented from Kid A and Amnesiac.

I'm very curious where the guys will go next. What a diversity of sounds, instruments, and arrangements they've brought us. There won't be another band like this on the planet for another two decades I'd wager.

on videotape, the drums are windshield wipers. listen.

I agree with Science - these guys have got it down. I haven't had a musical love affair like this with a band since I was wearing bell bottoms.

Lately it's all radiohead all the time on shuffle, or in sequence, on the ipod. I've also been scrutinizing all the lyrics at green plastic. Like the music, the words keep taking you further in/out.

'Reckoner' is musically, lyrically and spiritually sublime.

I'm no one to pass negative comments on anything Radiohead do. They are an inspired band that forge new musical metaphores and textures like no other.
But this album is NASTY!!! From start to finish I found it self indulgent tripe. This is a marriage of Thom's solo projects and Kid-A. Both of which stand up independantly. What happened to the other guys in the band?
Its hard to belive no drugs were harmed in the making of this polished turd. This is definate music for a smack house generation.
I am SOOOOOOO dissapointed it's beyond words. My only solice...
I paid ZILTCH for it, gave bogus info on the site and with one key press it can be gone from my life forever.
Die hard Radiohead fans, quit with your idol worship, stop living in the shadow of past classics and get some cotton buds for your lug-holes.
WOEFULL!!!

And another thing...
As for this whole blowing the industry wide open hype. Dont buy into it! Artists have been doing this for years. Even to the point of giving away audio/MIDI sequencing packages, WAVs and MIDI files so you can mix down your own versions. If not by download then as bundled on their CDs. Another well known POP band gave away their music recently to great success - sound familiar?
It's all marketing and spin - as for freeing up the media, the public herd that are sold on this will part with more readys to get 7 more tracks of barely orchestrated meanderings, who's the winner? Radiohead's management and accountant.
It's like deciding to make a sequel to a classic movie - if you cant top it, DON'T TRY! It invariably taints what has gone before.
I find it despressing the amount of praise being given to such a dire peice of music.
Has the world gone mad?
I'd suggest, it's not the music of a generation, you can't possibly identify with this. So stop suckling at the teet, wipe off your milk mustache and get a grip, you uncoventional conventiants.

And another thing...
As for this whole blowing the industry wide open hype. Dont buy into it! Artists have been doing this for years. Even to the point of giving away audio/MIDI sequencing packages, WAVs and MIDI files so you can mix down your own versions. If not by download then as bundled on their CDs. Another well known POP band gave away their music recently to great success - sound familiar?
It's all marketing and spin - as for freeing up the media, the public herd that are sold on this will part with more readys to get 7 more tracks of barely orchestrated meanderings, who's the winner? Radiohead's management and accountant.
It's like deciding to make a sequel to a classic movie - if you cant top it, DON'T TRY! It invariably taints what has gone before.
I find it depressing the amount of praise being given to such a dire peice of music.
Has the world gone mad?
I'd suggest, it's not the music of a generation, you can't possibly identify with this. So stop suckling at the teet, wipe off your milk mustache and get a grip, you uncoventional conventiants.

And another thing...
As for this whole blowing the industry wide open hype. Dont buy into it! Artists have been doing this for years. Even to the point of giving away audio/MIDI sequencing packages, WAVs and MIDI files so you can mix down your own versions. If not by download then as bundled on their CDs. Another well known POP band gave away their music recently to great success - sound familiar?
It's all marketing and spin - as for freeing up the media, the public herd that are sold on this will part with more readys to get 7 more tracks of barely orchestrated meanderings, who's the winner? Radiohead's management and accountant.
It's like deciding to make a sequel to a classic movie - if you cant top it, DON'T TRY! It invariably taints what has gone before.
I find it depressing the amount of praise being given to such a dire peice of music.
Has the world gone mad?
I'd suggest, it's not the music of a generation, you can't possibly identify with this. So stop suckling at the teet, wipe off your milk mustache and get a grip, you uncoventional conventiants.

Not sure what the crazy is, this album sucks! The whole album seems like it was created in GarageBand, I guess they were going for this sound.. First thing I noticed was Yorke just singing to some random guitars riffs.
To me the last good radiohead album was OK Computer.

Not sure what the crazy is, this album sucks! The whole album seems like it was created in GarageBand, I guess they were going for this sound.. First thing I noticed was Yorke just singing to some random guitars riffs.
To me the last good radiohead album was OK Computer.

Not sure what the crazy is, this album sucks! The whole album seems like it was created in GarageBand, I guess they were going for this sound.. First thing I noticed was Yorke just singing to some random guitars riffs.
To me the last good radiohead album was OK Computer.

NoButReally, you are clearly on drugs. You must get sober. Just because you have a copy of Logic doesn't mean you have the ability to create anything useful or worth listening to. It just means you want to give yourself credibility. Maybe you want to hang on to a dream.

I bought Hail To The Thief in '03 because I liked the album art, not really knowing anything about Radiohead. I didn't even listen to it for a few months after buying it, but after listening to it from beginning to end I found myself listening to it over and over again. While listening, I would go into a trance like state - especially during the songs "Where I end and you begin", and "Scatterbrain". I spent an entire month listening to nothing but this album. The only way I can think to describe it would be as a laborious effort with embellishments of embellishments ad nauseum. I don't know the intellectual significance of it but it mesmerized me.

This album is similar. Just like "Hail to the Thief" It seems like a lot of effort goes into producing these songs. Its far more than just drum machines. It is easy to get lost. If you like to retain control - then Radiohead is not for you. Personally, I believe the world is falling apart and this very well could be the music of a generation.

Corey - you are a grade-A gonad in need of desperate remedial reading lessons. My reference to any authoring package was as an aid to enforcing how gimicky the whole release hype is, I'd re-read my post if you wan't to understand.
As for Drugs, hanging on to a dream or credibility, please. Grow up! Just because I think it's a painful listening experience, you can only resort to paraphrasing badly and insults!?! If you are the generation this music appeals to, god help us all! Corey "the world is falling apart" because of mindless sheep like you, keep on grazing on what they feed you. Top tip - TAKE SOME DRUGS and you'll realise, even an altered state can't make this album good!
What a chump!

Why is everyone dissing house of cards? I have replayed that song over and over again for days. I love the whole album, and house of cards is such a cool song . Whatever right? what the hell do I know...

im drunk :)

RADIOHEAD OWNS YOUR LIFE. PAY UP BITCHES
im hammered :) as inHAmmERED DRUNK HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
GOOD ALBUM I LOVE ALL THE TRACKS BUT videotape needs some work on synchronization with the reverberated marching drum sound it would be so much better if it was in tempO
IM CURRENTLY ATTEMPTING TO REMIX IT IN GARAGEBAND
I TURNED THE PITCH UP TO mAKE IT SOUND LIKE A WOMAN IS SINGING IT SOuNDS RIDICULOUS I LIKE IT

SOOOOOOOOOOOO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE RADIOHEAD I HOPE YOU GET ARTIFICIAL BODIES AND NEVER DIE SO PEOPLE A THOUSAND YEARS FROM NOW CAN HEAR YOUR thousandth ALBUM I HOP ITS AS GOOD AS THE FIRST 999

Its amazing... First Radiohead showed band players sounds that computers could make... Now its showing producers sounds that only bands can make....No one can program the cresendo of All I need in a computer.....You need human players for that...Instruments....

I thought I would actually listen to the album for more than an hour (or even a day) before posting. I think it's ambitious to post one's very first thoughts on the initial release day. Every Radiohead album to date (well, starting with OCK) has taken multiple listens to appreciate - they just go in such different directions that it is hard to catch up - at least at first.

After 2 months, I don't find that I listen to this very much. Maybe it's beyond me. Too many of the songs seem similar to each other, and worse - they've got bits of leftover "Eraser" in them.
One thing that became clear to me on the release of "The Eraser", was how much better 4 (or 5, or whatever) heads are than one. With a few terrific exceptions, that is another disc that leaves me cold for the most part. As for fidelity, I meant as in "high fidelity". While I listen to plenty of MP3s on my computer, they really aren't the same as a good CD when listened to on a real audio system. Who knows, this might even become a favourite if I can listen to it better.
Two things seem to be missing on Rainbows: Passion and fidelity. Thom's vocals aren't getting under my skin the same as they usually do. I don't find myself humming and singing and totally obsessing over songs on this one as I did with most of the other efforts.

Despite the above, the original review is quite well done.

"Nobutreally", you're a douche. You're a self-indulgent douche. There is nothing wrong with hating any piece of music. After all it is all subjective, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
But for you to get on here and try to make it sound like all radiohead fans are "one generation" of confused individuals is completely foolish. Don't you get it? radiohead fans span many generations, from pot head college drop outs, to the torchmark professors that failed them. each of us has our own stories and reasons for why we love this band.
also, when reading your words, i get the impression that you're a jaded selfish person who's life hasn't amounted to much. You write comments like you've conquered the world! i had a roommate just like you a few years ago. this guy talked just like you do, and he was the biggest waste of space i've ever met! he also liked dave mathews band... alot. do you like dave mathews band "nobutreally"? do you?
it wouldn't surprise me one bit if you did.

strong post "nobutreallyisadouche", especially the college dropout-professor bit...well put. and true.

in rainbows is excellent. it has been in my car's cd player almost nonstop. I usually listen to it from start to finish without skipping a single track, is there a better test than that? I couldn't be happier with in rainbows or the way that the band has gone about business- they've earned the power to go by their terms. we should all be so lucky.

my only question is, where the hell is my discbox?

NOBODY LIKES NOTHING
I CERTAINLY WISH WITH ALL MY HEART THAT IT DID NOT EXIST

BUT WISHING IS NOT ENOUGH
WE LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD WHERE NOTHING DOES EXIST
WE CANNOT JUST DISINVENT IT
NOTHING IS NOT COMPREHENSIBLE

NEITHER YOU NOR I HAVE ANY HOPE OF UNDERSTANDING JUST WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT DOES
IT IS HARD TO KNOW IF NOTHING
IS ACTUALLY NOTHING

AND THUS DIFFICULT TO KNOW IF A POLICY OF DOING NOTHING IS SUCCESSFUL
NOTHING
HOWEVER EFFECTIVE IT MAY HAVE PROVED UP TO THE
PRESENT CAN HARDLY
CONTINUE TO DO SO INDEFINITELY

IF I HAD TO CHOOSE
BETWEEN THE CONTINUED POSSIBILITY OF NOTHING HAPPENING AND OF DOING NOTHING I WOULD
UNQUESTIONABLY CHOOSE THE LATTER
OR THE FORMER