Okay, so after a glorious first listen:
1) "Nude" is the best track they've done since "How to Disappear Completely." Un-fucking-real.
2) "Arpeggi" sounds better with chords, but it's still totally awesome.
3) They blew it on "Videotape." No climax? A drum machine? Dudes, c'mon! Peep the live version.
4) "Faust Arp" has all types of Beatles-y guitars going on. I'm down. The Nigel Godrich strings are also killer.
5) The little kids on "15 Step," oh man. So that's what they were doing in the studio.
6) What the hell happened to "Reckoner?" Didn't that used to be a ballsy rock song like five years ago?
7) Album could use more ballsy rock songs.
That said:
8) Album is miles better than Hail to the Thief and flows like mountain spring water. The whole thing absolutely destroys and if Pitchfork gives it a score lower than Deerhunter or Iron & Wine or motherfucking Panda Bear - Panda Bear! - I'm going to blow up the Internet.
9) I bet Pitchfork gives it like a 6.8.
10) Do I even have to say it? AOTY.
Previously: Radiohead - In Rainbows - The Definitive Preview
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Labels: 2007, First Look, Radiohead
posted by David Greenwald @ 1:57 AM 
Comments (7)
I almost cried after hearing "Nude." It's been like, what, 10 years since they first talked about it? Might be the most beautiful song I've ever heard. I hear you about "Videotape," though; it just seems to fall out, and I'm not sure the falling percussion works. But still, holy shit. I can't believe I thought it might be a disappointment...
Don't mess with the Panda! This is indeed missing some good ole balls out rock high points. And yes it does flow like cold figi waters.
I'm with Phil, leave Panda alone. Anyway Random Spirit Lover is AOTY.
So...did we HAVE to pre-order to get the album? I can't find where to download it at radiohead.com anymore (it's no longer the "rainbow" site).
Yeah Panda is a top three album for me this year, and doesn't deserve to be grouped with those other two records.
How telling is it that the best song here is ten years old? Album's great but I'm not sure how many more dudes got left in them.
Person Pitch is still the better record.
Yesssss thank you Chris.
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