Radiohead-in Rainbows

analogueaddict72

Soupy wrote:

Which brings us to another interesting topic. Is it good when bands repackage/reinvent (and other words beginning with re-) their music so dramatically they actually shift genres.

I mean Radioheads first 3 albums are all pretty different but they are all rock albums, Ok Computer is more experimental than the previous albums but it still has all the hallmarks of a rock album. Would it have been such a bad thing if Radiohead hadn't been so 'brave' and actually rehashed (a harsh word) another sublime Rock album maybe progressing on from Ok Computer?
Would people have said yeah it's good but I wish they'd do something totally out there and completely different? I doubt it.

You can look at Pearl Jam's first 4 albums all different sounding yet all quintsential (sorry I can't spell that!) rock albums, yet all have a different sound and feeling, I wouldn't class that as simple lazy repackaging. Alot of bands that have been around for several years and have a big back catalogue of music such as Pearl Jam, REM, The Tragically Hip and U2 for example generally stick to what they know, are good at and obvisously music they enjoy making - I'd never call this lazy or boring. I like a band because of their sound if they suddenly change dramatically I may not like it. If I want to listen to electronic or ambient style music I would have a totally different album collection, but I'm a rock fan and I personally would swap the last 4 Radiohead album for another Ok, Computer - screw millionaires 'being brave' and 'progressing' - Plug in some guitars and write another album full of songs like Lucky, Karma Police, Creep, Black Hole & Let Down.

That's why Radiohead are better off without you as a fan, I never expect them to retread old ground, Pearl Jam have progressed but are happier to stay in a comfortable arena of rock music offering subtle changes.

They certainly are far more original than say Oasis as someone recently claimed they were similar to. What a joke, I'd never proclaim PJ to one of the most diverse band but they do offer something new each time however subtle.

Whereas Oasis have been making the same damn record since What's the Story.

RH are obviously not comfortable doing a Coldplay and like to challenge themselves each time. U2 were once a band who reinvented themselves. Achtung Baby was one of the most successful and artistic reinventions of all time and up to POP they pushed the envelope, then they decided they wanted the fans back after experimenting and produced 2 extremely successful but bland albums for the sake of radio friendly hits.

Give me POP over All You Can't & Atomic Bomb any day. God forbid Radiohead go down this route and stop evolving. If you don't like that as I said before the Band is better off without you because thats not what they are about.

Anyone who tuned out after OK just isn't a fan of the band they just liked the guitar sound but never understood where they were going.

I did and are still impressed by them and don't want easy to listen carbon copies from one of my favourite bands of all time.

cubbieblue82

Soupy wrote:

Erm yeah ripping off bands from The White Label and playing it to mainstream ignorant rock kids who claim it to be groundbreaking was a clever move by Radiohead.

Anyone who thinks Radiohead invented the wheel with Kiddy A and I Can't Sleep really knows nothing all about electronic music such as ambient techno, drum and bass, trip-hop, ambient dub. Radiohead just swapped genres and 99% of their fans being from a Rock (Guitar sound) background were hearing something for the first time.

go and check out FSOL (Future Sound Of London) if you want a tour de force of proper Electronical music.

I don't think many people think that Radiohead invented electronic music. That being said, what they did between OK Computer and Kid A was truly a leap of faith, and one of the most drastic re-inventions we've seen in the history of Rock.

I think that what they did is comparable to what bands like Led Zeppelin did in the 60s. They loved all the old blues guys, and so that is what they played. No they didn't necessarily play the blues better than people like Robert Johnson, but I would rather listen to Zep 9 times out of 10. They really brought the music to the attention of the mainstream, and made it more accessible. Radiohead has done the same with electronic music.

Not to mention, I really think Thom is a genius song writer, and that alone puts him on another level.

eclectic

They simply do what THEY want to do every time.They are not interested in what anyone else thinks they should do.They are clearly in a privileged position financially from OK Computer on.However they would have done their own thing anyway,i'm sure.The fact that vast numbers of people happen to connect to all of their albums is just a bonus.If they were a smaller and more moderately successful band,musically they would be exactly the same.

Its all about the music.I believe that the level of fame or the size of the bank balance is incidental and not so important.To be able to MAKE a manageable living writing and performing music is privilege enough IMO.

Christ , what I would give to be able to say I have a viable job as a band member!

Bangers_n_mash

So the albums already apperaing on tv...

15 Step is being used in an ad for champion's league coverage on RTE1 (Ireland).
I heard it last night but it took me a second to notice because relative to the
voiceover volume it was quite low.
Interesting...

reversedarwinism

I'm really enjoying the album. Very good Radiohead material, IMO.

AlBorland

I'm enjoying it.

I always like hearing people's thoughts on song meanings, theme of the album etc. If anybody wants to give it a shot that'd be cool.

cubbieblue82

AlBorland wrote:

I'm enjoying it.

I always like hearing people's thoughts on song meanings, theme of the album etc. If anybody wants to give it a shot that'd be cool.

I like reading interpretations too. Not so good at interpreting it myself, but this site usually has a lot of opinions on most songs. They have other bands too btw.

http://www.songmeanings.net/artist.php?aid=200

Pearl Street Brewery

reversedarwinism wrote:

I'm really enjoying the album. Very good Radiohead material, IMO.

It seems to be getting better with every listen. Best work since OK Computer!

MCG

Edit: You know what, this deserves its own thread.

LONGRD

Took me awhile but I FUCKING LOVE THIS ALBUM!
House of Cards is a sexy song, I love it.
Greatest band of the new century and yes what they're doing since 2000 is
a thousand times better than what PJ have done in this new century.

MCG

LongRd. wrote:

Took me awhile but I FUCKING THIS ALBUM!

I hope you are using protection.

LongRd. wrote:

yes what they're doing since 2000 is a thousand times better than what PJ have done in this new century.

A thousand times?!? This statement leaves a lot of room for debate, especially on the Pearl Jam message board...

LONGRD

MCG wrote:

I hope you are using protection.




A thousand times?!? This statement leaves a lot of room for debate, especially on the Pearl Jam message board...

EDIT: forgot "LOVE"
and yes I stand by my statement. Maybe a thousand too much,
a hundred times better.

Cropduster84

My favourite Radiohead album......

glasshouse

LongRd. wrote:

Greatest band of the new century and yes what they're doing since 2000 is
a thousand times better than what PJ have done in this new century.

pfffft. In Rainbows is mediocre at best.