'Pushed boundaries AND major mainstream success' is the key thing here and i agree. But there are by FAR a hell of a lot of indie little bands, musicians ect who pushed the envolope further then Radiohead ever did or could.
Im not really sure there is an all 'important' band or anything or anyone who deserves such a title. Music would have gotten along just fine with or without Radiohead.
Yeah I totally see your point, I'm not a Radiohead obsessive by any stretch, but there's no denying how impressive it is that they can seemingly put anything out and it still has massive mainstream appeal. I guess that makes them important in some way because it encourages the idea that other artists don't have to dumb down their music to be successful. That said, Radiohead first developed that huge fan base with their earlier, far more accessible records.
'Pushed bound
aries AND major mainstream success' is the key thing here and i agree. But there are by FAR a hell of a lot of indie little bands, musicians ect who pushed the envolope further then Radiohead ever did or could.
Im not really sure there is an all 'important' band or anything or anyone who deserves such a title. Music would have gotten along just fine with or without Radiohead.
Yeah I totally see your point, I'm not a Radiohead obsessive by any stretch, but there's no denying how impressive it is that they can seemingly put anything out and it still has massive mainstream appeal. I guess that makes them important in some way because it encourages the idea that other artists don't have to dumb down their music to be successful. That said, Radiohead first developed that huge fan base with their earlier, far more accessible records.
Your point here is key. The big lie of our generation and its portrayed in all the "americas got talent" "britains got talent" "american idol" etc... is this myth that to be a successful and important musician you have to write formulaic verse chorus verse songs that appeal to people like Paula Abdul or Simon Cowell or whoever. This is a belief that seems frighteningly common place in our society. What Radiohead did, which was, completely do a 180, is important. I know this was last decade in terms of the change, but its important. Creep is a great song. But it was no different than 100 other grunge tunes during that era. What was so interesting about Radiohead was the fact you are right, they became huge when Creep came out, and then that audience stuck with them, they added new fans too, and their fan base became really rabid. They did all this all the while releasing completely out there and esoteric and experimental pieces of art. If nothing else it shows the public does want art that is challenging and non traditional.
Radiohead should be honored and admired for their constant willingness to give a middle finger to anyone who questions their path. Can you imagine the look on Capitol's face when they played KId A the first time. How about when they heard Pulk Pull Revolving Doors? They must have thought the band had lost their minds.
The big lie that record labels continue to promote is that being experimental, non conformist and non traditional where music is concerned means a drop in sales and fan base. What Radiohead proves is that the reality is exactly the opposite.
For me, Radioheads rebelliousness will forever be something I feel graditude about. They could have easily played the game after Creep came out. They could still, fifteen years later be churning out the same post grunge music, but they took a risk.
I'd say itsa dead heat between Radiohead and Jack White.
The Stripes/Raconteurs have been more consistent than Radiohead, but Radiohead is takin way more chances. All involved are pretty amazing live. Pretty similar level of popularity.
0
goldrush
everybody knows this is nowhere Posts: 7,632
Jack White
Ryan Adams
Wilco
John Butler
No offence intended to anyone who chose them but I don't get the Radiohead fascination. I can never escape the feeling that they are just trying too hard to impress. It's like they're saying "Hey look at us, we're too cool for guitars now, we're taking risks with our music" when all I want them to say is "Actually we used to write really good rock songs, let's try that again!"
It's the same as Neil Young in the 80s - stop dicking around with electronic nonsense and plug your guitars back in!
“Do not postpone happiness”
(Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)
Ryan Adams' output has been disgustingly good. Nobody should be able to put out that much GOOD material.
Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
I tried to listen to Arcade Fire because everyone on here says they're great but I have to disagree, one listen to Funeral and I doubt I will ever listen to them again.
When I saw the title of this thread, I immediately thought, "Radiohead."
Then I stopped to think for a minute. Was I forgetting a newer artist? Hmm...nope.... But Radiohead was also relevant in the 90s: Many years ago, they were decrying the Bankster-controlled facade of duopolies ('Electioneering and the IMF') which in 2009 have left Americans poorer than we've been since the Great Depression.... Yet the band simply got better this decade! They ARE more of a noughties band than a nineties band.
I had the tremendous pleasure of experiencing one Radiohead concert, in 2003: "Creep" was playing as I walked into the venue. The show ended with "Idioteque" as I pogoed up and down to the very favourite of my several favourite RH songs.
When I saw the title of this thread, I immediately thought, "Radiohead."
Then I stopped to think for a minute. Was I forgetting a newer artist? Hmm...nope.... But Radiohead was also relevant in the 90s: Many years ago, they were decrying the Bankster-controlled facade of duopolies ('Electioneering and the IMF') which in 2009 have left Americans poorer than we've been since the Great Depression.... Yet the band simply got better this decade! They ARE more of a noughties band than a nineties band.
I had the tremendous pleasure of experiencing one Radiohead concert, in 2003: "Creep" was playing as I walked into the venue. The show ended with "Idioteque" as I pogoed up and down to the very favourite of my several favourite RH songs.
Radiohead.
Travis you are right on the money. I too got to see them live once. In 2006. Took the train from Eugene all the way to San Diego. The train was delayed 17 hours going to, and 15 hours coming back. At one point I though I wasnt going to arrive in San Diego in time.
Anyways the concert was one of the most memorable. One aspect thats memorable is how short the set was, by 10 or 1030 they were done. Obviously I wished they had played more, but they did of course played a full set.
The venue was the Embarcadero overlooking the bay, an outside venue. Backdrop in the bay and the lit up hotels and buildings that make up downtown San Diego. I remember specifically, the wind blowing through my hair, Radiohead playing, and the amazing scenery and thinking how beautiful it all was.
Comments
I think he may merit a few votes.
Yeah I totally see your point, I'm not a Radiohead obsessive by any stretch, but there's no denying how impressive it is that they can seemingly put anything out and it still has massive mainstream appeal. I guess that makes them important in some way because it encourages the idea that other artists don't have to dumb down their music to be successful. That said, Radiohead first developed that huge fan base with their earlier, far more accessible records.
Radiohead
Jack White
Josh Homme
Wilco
My Morning Jacket
Modest Mouse
The Mars Volta
Your point here is key. The big lie of our generation and its portrayed in all the "americas got talent" "britains got talent" "american idol" etc... is this myth that to be a successful and important musician you have to write formulaic verse chorus verse songs that appeal to people like Paula Abdul or Simon Cowell or whoever. This is a belief that seems frighteningly common place in our society. What Radiohead did, which was, completely do a 180, is important. I know this was last decade in terms of the change, but its important. Creep is a great song. But it was no different than 100 other grunge tunes during that era. What was so interesting about Radiohead was the fact you are right, they became huge when Creep came out, and then that audience stuck with them, they added new fans too, and their fan base became really rabid. They did all this all the while releasing completely out there and esoteric and experimental pieces of art. If nothing else it shows the public does want art that is challenging and non traditional.
Radiohead should be honored and admired for their constant willingness to give a middle finger to anyone who questions their path. Can you imagine the look on Capitol's face when they played KId A the first time. How about when they heard Pulk Pull Revolving Doors? They must have thought the band had lost their minds.
The big lie that record labels continue to promote is that being experimental, non conformist and non traditional where music is concerned means a drop in sales and fan base. What Radiohead proves is that the reality is exactly the opposite.
For me, Radioheads rebelliousness will forever be something I feel graditude about. They could have easily played the game after Creep came out. They could still, fifteen years later be churning out the same post grunge music, but they took a risk.
http://www.reverbnation.com/brianzilm
Exactly!
Los Angeles 10.7.2009
The Stripes/Raconteurs have been more consistent than Radiohead, but Radiohead is takin way more chances. All involved are pretty amazing live. Pretty similar level of popularity.
Ryan Adams
Wilco
John Butler
No offence intended to anyone who chose them but I don't get the Radiohead fascination. I can never escape the feeling that they are just trying too hard to impress. It's like they're saying "Hey look at us, we're too cool for guitars now, we're taking risks with our music" when all I want them to say is "Actually we used to write really good rock songs, let's try that again!"
It's the same as Neil Young in the 80s - stop dicking around with electronic nonsense and plug your guitars back in!
(Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)
“Put yer good money on the sunrise”
(Tim Rogers)
I tried to listen to Arcade Fire because everyone on here says they're great but I have to disagree, one listen to Funeral and I doubt I will ever listen to them again.
Then I stopped to think for a minute. Was I forgetting a newer artist? Hmm...nope.... But Radiohead was also relevant in the 90s: Many years ago, they were decrying the Bankster-controlled facade of duopolies ('Electioneering and the IMF') which in 2009 have left Americans poorer than we've been since the Great Depression.... Yet the band simply got better this decade! They ARE more of a noughties band than a nineties band.
I had the tremendous pleasure of experiencing one Radiohead concert, in 2003: "Creep" was playing as I walked into the venue. The show ended with "Idioteque" as I pogoed up and down to the very favourite of my several favourite RH songs.
Radiohead.
Travis you are right on the money. I too got to see them live once. In 2006. Took the train from Eugene all the way to San Diego. The train was delayed 17 hours going to, and 15 hours coming back. At one point I though I wasnt going to arrive in San Diego in time.
Anyways the concert was one of the most memorable. One aspect thats memorable is how short the set was, by 10 or 1030 they were done. Obviously I wished they had played more, but they did of course played a full set.
The venue was the Embarcadero overlooking the bay, an outside venue. Backdrop in the bay and the lit up hotels and buildings that make up downtown San Diego. I remember specifically, the wind blowing through my hair, Radiohead playing, and the amazing scenery and thinking how beautiful it all was.