Radiohead is the band every other band wants to be

musicismylife78 · January 2010

I have hinted at this in other threads and posts, but I want to sort of cement this. I would argue, that Radiohead is one of those bands that if you are in a rock band right now, this is the band you admire and emulate. I would argue Radiohead have most likely been the band that has pushed the musical envelope and the art form the farthest in the last 10 years or so.

I would argue that Radiohead has created the most challenging and experimental and musically rich and textured music of any bands in the current scene.

They have pushed the art form in ways that are mindblowing, and have forced listeners to reevaluate what a song even is.

In a fragmented music world, where alot of music scenes are niches, I would argue that Radiohead are the biggest band in the world, while that meant very different things 10 years ago, that mantle and that honor I think still belongs to radiohead.

While there certainly is alot of music we all are waiting for with baited breath, Arcade Fire's 3rd album, Bright Eyes's final record, whatever Trent Reznor does next, The national, Joanna Newsoms forthcoming triple album etc...

without a doubt, all eyes, including the bands i just mentioned are awaiting the next epistle that Thom and the guys create. Radioheads LP 8 is the most anticipated musical release.

benjs · January 2010

musicismylife78 wrote:

I have hinted at this in other threads and posts, but I want to sort of cement this. I would argue, that Radiohead is one of those bands that if you are in a rock band right now, this is the band you admire and emulate. I would argue Radiohead have most likely been the band that has pushed the musical envelope and the art form the farthest in the last 10 years or so.

I would argue that Radiohead has created the most challenging and experimental and musically rich and textured music of any bands in the current scene.

They have pushed the art form in ways that are mindblowing, and have forced listeners to reevaluate what a song even is.

In a fragmented music world, where alot of music scenes are niches, I would argue that Radiohead are the biggest band in the world, while that meant very different things 10 years ago, that mantle and that honor I think still belongs to radiohead.

While there certainly is alot of music we all are waiting for with baited breath, Arcade Fire's 3rd album, Bright Eyes's final record, whatever Trent Reznor does next, The national, Joanna Newsoms forthcoming triple album etc...

without a doubt, all eyes, including the bands i just mentioned are awaiting the next epistle that Thom and the guys create. Radioheads LP 8 is the most anticipated musical release.

Depending on what you're trying to say, I agree with you, or slightly deviate from your viewpoint. The music Radiohead creates is not what artists strive to create, in my opinion, rather the deviation from the norm, which Radiohead is so damn great at doing, is what most bands seem to be trying to produce. What I'm trying to say (pardon me, I'm a bit tipsy), is that Radiohead's 'thinking out of the box' is what artists are trying to replicate, rather than Radiohead's actual style, or genre. If what you're trying to say is what I'm trying to say, then we're on the exact same page, and I think I do agree with you. Hell, as a guitarist, if I could one day be a part of a project which could reinvent music (or simply make people think differently about what it should be), it would be a dream come true.

meveret · January 2010

If only they'd write a single song that was enjoyable to listen. I already know what music I like, rock, and Radiohead ain't it. In my opnion they are creative and innovative musicians, yet at the same time they (and the hordes of bands today influenced by them) are responsible for the death of rock music as we knew it and that is a shame. Radiohead may indeed be the music of the future, or the present in fact. At the same time I will mourn the death of rock as indie/electronica/rap and r+b dance trash dance on its grave.

mookeywrench · January 2010

dare I say that radiohead has ruined music by their trendsetting? As trendsetters, they've created an environment where bands focus more on their marketing campaign rather than quality of music.

musicismylife78 · January 2010

mookeywrench wrote:

dare I say that radiohead has ruined music by their trendsetting? As trendsetters, they've created an environment where bands focus more on their marketing campaign rather than quality of music.

frankly, this is patently ridiculous. I assume you are talking about In Rainbows and the pay what you will thing, but the bands that have taken radioheads lead are basically critical darlings, bloc party, raconteurs, nine inch nails. To take that one step further, you are suggesting bands like those i just mentioned, are sacrificing quality, in order to focus on marketing. Again, this is absurd. To say these bands are nickpickers and perfectionists is accurate.

Additionally, the pay what you will marketing scheme, was genius, it also was a natural extension of living in the modern world. The facts exists, that most people, hundreds of millions of people worldwide download, and that cd sales are down year after year. Whether radiohead did the pay what you will scheme or not, these facts would have existed.

Its like you are in this vacuum, mooky. People on this board dont really get it. I got into heated fights with people, maybe even you, prior to the release of backspacer because I felt that PJ were idiots for not going for more new and state of the art marketing schemes. The reality of the situation with filesharing is self evident. People dont get music the same way they used to, people dont save up their allowance and then go to the local cd shop and buy a cd. people just dont do that by and large. They fileshare or they buy it legally off itunes. Most people dont really even have cd's anymore, they just listen to stuff on their computer, 20,000 or whatever songs, all stored on computer.

And anyone who is halfway intelligent on music issues and buisness can comprehend that if you are in a band right now, on a major, or an indie, or not on a label at all and just wanting to be signed, the big issue right now is, how do you get back the money you used to make when 5 million people would by a cd? How do you market a cd and album in a world, that I just pointed out, will either steal your record, or will buy it on itunes thus the artwork and liner notes are useless. How about the fact that alot of people just buy the big hit songs off the record, or they buy the whole record off itunes, save the songs they like, then move the songs they hate to the trash bin? How do you sell cd's and music in a world thats increasingly digital? In a world where radio is no longer a viable means to sell a product? In a world where Spin and Rolling Stone, no longer carry weight, but online sites like Pitchfork are the standard?

musicismylife78 · January 2010

mookeywrench wrote:

dare I say that radiohead has ruined music by their trendsetting? As trendsetters, they've created an environment where bands focus more on their marketing campaign rather than quality of music.

additionally, your comment suggests that bands only worship radiohead for their in rainbows thing. People loved them prior to October 2007, mooky, and they will love them whenever LP 8 drops.

mr.pink · January 2010

I'd have to agree that they have proven to be the best pyschedelic rock band ever. I also agree that they are VERY influential. Hell, if I were a musician, I'd be majorly influenced by them. I don't think every band wants to be them, not even close. But there are many that do. And I'm not opposed to anyone taking some of that atomosperic, pyschedelic sound that Radiohead has mastered. And I imagine more "music" fans will awaiting their new album than anyone elses.

Clarifying: I'm sure more people will be waiting on the next American Idol compilation or "now" compilation, but I don't consider them real "music" fans.

DewieCox · January 2010

mr.pink wrote:

I'd have to agree that they have proven to be the best pyschedelic rock band ever. I also agree that they are VERY influential. Hell, if I were a musician, I'd be majorly influenced by them. I don't think every band wants to be them, not even close. But there are many that do. And I'm not opposed to anyone taking some of that atomosperic, pyschedelic sound that Radiohead has mastered. And I imagine more "music" fans will awaiting their new album than anyone elses.

Clarifying: I'm sure more people will be waiting on the next American Idol compilation or "now" compilation, but I don't consider them real "music" fans.

Pink Floyd

mr.pink · January 2010

DewieCox wrote:

mr.pink wrote:

I'd have to agree that they have proven to be the best pyschedelic rock band ever. I also agree that they are VERY influential. Hell, if I were a musician, I'd be majorly influenced by them. I don't think every band wants to be them, not even close. But there are many that do. And I'm not opposed to anyone taking some of that atomosperic, pyschedelic sound that Radiohead has mastered. And I imagine more "music" fans will awaiting their new album than anyone elses.

Clarifying: I'm sure more people will be waiting on the next American Idol compilation or "now" compilation, but I don't consider them real "music" fans.

Pink Floyd

I really like Pink Floyd, but what they started was perfected with Radiohead, IMO

SomethingCreative · January 2010

I think most bands want to enjoy being in a band and making music...which is something that radiohead doesn't seem to do.

dimitrispearljam · January 2010

every band try to be like GREED

Evacuation Rules · January 2010

If you weren't moved the first time you heard OK Computer, then you have no right to voice an opinion about what Radiohead means or what good music is, because it's hopelessly over your head.

DewieCox · January 2010

mr.pink wrote:

DewieCox wrote:

mr.pink wrote:

I'd have to agree that they have proven to be the best pyschedelic rock band ever. I also agree that they are VERY influential. Hell, if I were a musician, I'd be majorly influenced by them. I don't think every band wants to be them, not even close. But there are many that do. And I'm not opposed to anyone taking some of that atomosperic, pyschedelic sound that Radiohead has mastered. And I imagine more "music" fans will awaiting their new album than anyone elses.

Clarifying: I'm sure more people will be waiting on the next American Idol compilation or "now" compilation, but I don't consider them real "music" fans.

Pink Floyd

I really like Pink Floyd, but what they started was perfected with Radiohead, IMO

Get real. Radiohead is up in the convo with the greats, but as you said.......Without Floyd, no Radiohead.

From Meddle to The Wall may be the greatest run of albums EVER!!!

justam · January 2010

I love listening to Radiohead but I would never make the kind of sweeping generalizations or worshipful statements you are making.

You sound like a music critic who is mystified by the process of making music when you deify a musician.

You can admire music and the people who make it, but when you claim that anyone is the end-all, be-all, unmatchable, blah-di-blah-blah, you just sound like someone watching a rocket take off who has no idea how the scientists built it.

Hitch-Hiker · January 2010

Evacuation Rules wrote:

If you weren't moved the first time you heard OK Computer, then you have no right to voice an opinion about what Radiohead means or what good music is, because it's hopelessly over your head.

That is one of the most condescending statements I have ever read. Music, as an art form,is for more subjective than any other. This is akin to a pop fan saying you don't 'get' the brilliance of Umbrella by Rhianna. OK Computer is a brilliant album in my mind, but I know people, who's opinions I would have a great respect for, who don't like it and don't like Radiohead as a whole. Plenty of my friends don't like Pearl Jam. It doesn't mean it's over their heads. It just means they're not into it. I know a buttload of people who love Florence & the Machine, but I can't stand them. Does that mean I don't get it? Does it mean there's something wrong with my ears? NO! I just don't fucking like it, so don't presume that you are above anyone else because you like a certain band. It belies a snobbery and a stupidity within that is absolutely infuriating, and completely negates any stock I could have invested in your opinions before this.

Digital Twilight · January 2010

justam wrote:

I love listening to Radiohead but I would never make the kind of sweeping generalizations or worshipful statements you are making.

You sound like a music critic who is mystified by the process of making music when you deify a musician.

You can admire music and the people who make it, but when you claim that anyone is the end-all, be-all, unmatchable, blah-di-blah-blah, you just sound like someone watching a rocket take off who has no idea how the scientists built it.

Agreed.

And there are fuckin' shit loads of artists pushing the envelope and redefining 'what a song is' a lot more then Radiohead.

Radiohead are a great band but to say everyone wants to be like them is stupid and childish. :roll:

drew0 · January 2010

The more I hear Radiohead and their fans speak, the less I like them.

A great band, but extremely overrated and people need to realize they aren't the second coming. There are a great number of bands from the last decade that I'd rather be if I could choose to be part of a band. I think Arcade Fire, Wilco, White Stripes, Gaslight Anthem, Gorillaz and My Morning Jacket are just as, if not more, talented and much, much more enjoyable to listen to.

Wilds · January 2010

Digital Twilight wrote:

justam wrote:

You sound like a music critic who is mystified by the process of making music when you deify a musician.

You can admire music and the people who make it, but when you claim that anyone is the end-all, be-all, unmatchable, blah-di-blah-blah, you just sound like someone watching a rocket take off who has no idea how the scientists built it.

Agreed.

And there are fuckin' shit loads of artists pushing the envelope and redefining 'what a song is' a lot more then Radiohead.

Radiohead are a great band but to say everyone wants to be like them is stupid and childish. :roll:

+1 to both of you.

rhcpjam1029 · January 2010

i tried getting into radiohead. i have most of their albums, i've seen them live, and for some reason, i just can't see what's so great about them. everyone makes it seem that radiohead is the be all, end all of bands. but honestly, i'm not impressed by what i see and hear.

and their fans are a bunch of pricks too.

aspoonfulweighsaton · January 2010

Digital Twilight wrote:

justam wrote:

I love listening to Radiohead but I would never make the kind of sweeping generalizations or worshipful statements you are making.

You sound like a music critic who is mystified by the process of making music when you deify a musician.

You can admire music and the people who make it, but when you claim that anyone is the end-all, be-all, unmatchable, blah-di-blah-blah, you just sound like someone watching a rocket take off who has no idea how the scientists built it.

Agreed.

And there are fuckin' shit loads of artists pushing the envelope and redefining 'what a song is' a lot more then Radiohead.

Radiohead are a great band but to say everyone wants to be like them is stupid and childish. :roll:

These statements are by far the most intelligent and sensible of this thread so far.

Most Radiohead fans need to get over it already.

musicismylife78 · January 2010

lets face it, most people would like the bands they are into to be as acclaimed and as revered as radiohead is. This rears its head often on this board when nirvana and kurt are discussed. Obviously, nirvana and kurt in the great history book of music, for whatever its worth, are the most important band of the 1990's, with kurt being the voice of his generation, and most likely the most important musician of his generation. Thus anyone, who likes a band, or musician not named nirvana or kurt, its understandable to be angry whenever people bring up those names.

Radiohead is the band every other band wants to be

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