THE RAINBOWS/THE RAINBOWS/THE RAINBOWS/THE RAINBOWS

Rain had been absolutely pummeling the part of Eastern China where I live. One typhoon after another was crashing into the coast, the result of which was relentless rain and belligerent, knifelike wind. Going outside without being reduced to a soaking, soppy, sour mess wasn't an option.

In short: perfect Radiohead weather.

A few weeks ago, I decided to make friends with misery and walk home while listening to Radiohead's 2003 album, Hail to the Thief. Everything was waterlogged shoes and foggy glasses and Thom Yorke's alienated yowl and the band's paranoid electronic blips and guitar squonks. The persistent percussion as Yorke droned “THE RAINDROPS/THE RAINDROPS/THE RAINDROPS/THE RAINDROPS” wasn't just Phil Selway, but actual precipitation on my umbrella.

The next day, two surprising things happened: the rain stopped, and Radiohead announced they were releasing In Rainbows.

Read my review here.