I was reminded of this via a post over at Kottke this morning. I remembered reading it and trying it out shortly after In Rainbows was released, but I couldn’t remember how it sounded. (Short version – urban legend has it that In Rainbows and OK Computer were designed to be companions, and that a playlist alternating tracks between the two is ‘awesome’.)

After listening to it, I’m underwhelmed, and I probably was the first time too. Understand that I loved Radiohead up through OK Computer – I saw them on tour for that album, and it was an amazing show. I’ve since come to love their next album, Kid A, as well, but it definitely marks a shift in the kind of music the band makes, and Thom Yorke in particular has changed his vocal style and melodies since then. They’re no longer the same band that made those first three albums, and that’s fine.

In Rainbows is a nice little album. (In much the same way that some of Pearl Jam’s latest albums have been ok, but it’s been all downhill since Vs.) But this playlist doesn’t work for me. The musical style is somewhat similar, but it still just doesn’t ‘fit’ right. I’d be tempted to say that this idea of a companion album was leaked out there to encourage sales, but if you’ll recall, In Rainbows was the album that Radiohead let you download for free and asked you to donate what you thought it was worth, which got them plenty of publicity as it was.

In any case, I think this is some wishful thinking on the part of the old-time Radiohead fans, who should be going out and buying Muse’s albums instead.

I haven’t done one of these in a long time, mostly because I stopped going to movies for a while there. I’m now back on the horse, so let’s roll through some mini-reviews for a few flicks I’ve been out to see lately.

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I’d like to paraphrase the 15-second promo for one of our news stations that I heard the other night. I feel that it captures the essence of how ridiculous Minnesota can get sometimes. (Picture these bullet points appearing on screen along with the perky anchorwoman.)

“Here are some of the stories we’re working on for [redacted] News tonight:

The woman who swerved and killed an 11 year old boy was drunk!

A man is accused of sexually molesting children in his mother’s own daycare!

And there’s a chance of rain all week!

Tune in at [redacted]!”

Detailed here: Two players, four turns, and according to the accompanying YouTube video, doable in 21 seconds.

Honestly, if this had any chance of happening on a consistent basis, I might be more inclined to play it. Instead, as we all know, Monopoly ruins families.

My long personal nightmare is over! The best pair of sunglasses I ever owned have been found!

Shown here in one of their last known photographs, the sunglasses were long assumed to have found a watery grave at the bottom of Lake Minnetonka, or had perhaps been unwittingly discarded at the side of some unknown ‘tonkan street. However, having some free time on my hands this week, I decided to perform one last hard targeted search of 3109 Atwater. Retracing my steps from last Labor Day, the sunglasses were found in amongst the bucket of wash cloths and assorted toiletries in the guest bathroom. Naturally.

This momentous occasion was then celebrated with the liberation of a Mexican Coke from the Beer Fridge. As you were.