Media is everywhere. Unavoidable. You could be merrily walking along the street, innocently thinking you are totally independent and in control of your own life when BAM, you’ve tripped over an advert in the shape of an uneven paving slab, and then proceed to fall hard on the swollen elbow of promotion. While your mind subconsciously tries to make sense of that awful metaphor, let me tell you a story. I was recently given the challenge to avoid all forms of media and advertising.
Everything, from television to internet, iPods to billboards. To put a long story short, this is just impossible. Try it. Even if you manage to avoid all of those outlets, you cannot escape what people tell you. Word of mouth. The semantics of which are merely a repetition of what was already firmly placed in their brains by the unstoppable juggernaught of the media. The only way of avoiding it, is too literally live in a cave.
If you haven’t heard anything about Radiohead‘s much anticipated release, In Rainbows, then congratulations. I don’t know how you did it. This praise being redundant of course, because you’re probably living in a fucking cave. For those of you reading this, what do I need to tell you about this album that hasn’t already been said?
It’s a perfect exhibition of the work of who I can safely claim to be some of the finest musicians to ever grace this planet. In Rainbows is a tour de force of aural pleasure. Melodic, atmospheric, clever, and almost charming. It’s got Radiohead written all over it. A band who offer grace in a media driven world, saturated with pulp. A beacon of hope, or proof that the media does have its moments of sunshine. In the player is House Of Cards. Listen to it, and embrace every second.
Joe Moynihan