We at Listen In just don’t seem to be able to get away from In Rainbows, do we? Radiohead’s headline-grabbing 2007 release has been reviewed, awarded, and generally discussed a number of times in the scant few months we’ve been doing this. Indeed, the Listen In archives reveal no less than seven articles touching on the British rock icons.

So, what’s one more or less?

A Lesson Learned

Released in early 2008 by hip-hop producer AmpLive (AKA Amplive, Amp_Live, Amp Live, etc.) of Zion I, Rainydayz is a mashup EP of In Rainbows. He made one mistake, though – he forgot to ask for permission. As a result, Warner/Chappell threatened to block the album. Things looked grim.

But the story has a happy ending: the parties reached a compromise. Better yet, the compromise required that Amp make the album available free. Here it is.

Rainydayz

I’ll cut right to the chase and say that I really like this album. It’s not perfect, but it is a unique example of synergy between hip-hop, rock, and all points between. Also, it’s addictive: 10 seconds into the first real track, I was hooked.

I haven’t kicked it yet. Maybe tomorrow.

Rainydayz is one part glitch and one part rap. Several well-regarded hip-hoppers get in on the action: the recently-reviewed Del the Funky Homosapien, Charli2Na of Jurassic 5, Too $hort, MC Zumbi of Zion I, and soul singer Codany Holiday all make appearances. All acquit themselves reasonably well, though none is spectacular.

For me, the highlight of the album is “Weird Fishez” – a track without any vocals except a chopped-up Thom Yorke lyric. Yorke’s spare, hypnotic voice lends itself well to this weirdly asymmetrical style. A simple vocal layered over a driving drum pattern, interrupted by glitchy hiccups that still manage to groove, makes this track the clear standout.

Nitpicking

I said above that Rainydayz isn’t perfect. The most significant problem, in my mind, is this: at times, I found myself wishing that the rappers would just shut up. As a serious hip-hop fan I’ve done my best to talk myself out of this, but there it is.

Aside from that, I have trouble finding anything seriously wrong with this record beyond its length (if you’re reading this, Amp, I want a full LP). It’s a very creative project, and I’m glad AmpLive was able to release it.

Cross-posted to to Newsvine.

Read more Listen In album reviews.

© 2008 Evan Mix for Listen In. Some rights reserved.

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