The Red and Black

Issue date: 1/10/08 Section: Out & About

RADIOHEAD

In Rainbows Disc 2

As "In Rainbows" found its way to the top of many critics' Best of 2007 lists, Radiohead found yet another way to keep itself relevant, wreaking havoc in the new year. The album was the only one set on record store shelves Jan. 1. For superfans that shelled out the cash for the discbox package, lucky listeners received a second disc of tracks that virtually completes the first. When Disc 1 ends, Disc 2 casually and cautiously segues right into the instrumental "MK 1," afloat with fluttering piano and residual Thom Yorke murmurs directly from the first disc's closer, "Videotape." In an abrupt but welcome transition, piano drives the majority of the companion disc, accenting tracks such as the classically-colored, villainous and tricky trip-hop groove "Down Is The New Up." Much like the album proper, the "In Rainbows" second disc is filled with more refined takes of songs that debuted over the band's 2006 tour, such as the eerie, almost "Karma Police" killer "Go Slowly" and "Bangers and Mash," resembling something of a backwards version of The Kinks' classic "You Really Got Me." With a gentle and intricate ending song such as "4 Minute Warning," anyone with "In Rainbows" should at least contemplate finding this companion disc to make the landmark album's listening experience properly complete.

Verdict: A pot of gold at the end of the "rainbow."

CAT POWER

Jukebox

After making "The Greatest" and staking high claim on the female frontwoman world in 2006, Cat Power returns with "Jukebox" - a compilation of covers and originals that showcase a solo, soulful songwriter searching her way through bright lights and big cities. With a heart so heavy even a Hell's Angel could commiserate, she sheds her skin just a little more and steps into the spotlight, regardless of the fact that only about half the material is her own. "Jukebox" is troubling in that Chan never really owns the songs she's singing - nothing is revelatory. She puts an interesting and somewhat sullen spin on Sinatra's "New York, New York" as well as songs from Hank Williams and Billie Holiday, but they detract from her self-written works backed by the Dirty Delta Blues Band. Sisters will be singing along to "Aretha, Sing One For Me," and "Song for Bobby" could be straight from Dylan himself around the rambly, romantic time of "Blood on the Tracks." Cat Power has her name for a reason, and "Jukebox" just proves she really ought not to be so shy.

Verdict: She once was "the greatest" ... but now she's just grazing along.

- Sami Promisloff

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