Radiohead?

[MidPack]

I realize taste is a very individual, personal thing and this is in no way meant to be a shot at fans of the band. I think I appreciate a wide variety of genres/types of music and maybe Radiohead just isn't for me.

I know Radiohead is immensely popular (appears on a lot of lists here too), and I thought Creep was excellent (even though I understand the band hated the notoriety it brought them). I bought Hail to the Thief based on a glowing review by Rolling Stone mag. I have listened to it about a half dozen times and I guess I just don't get it. Some of it is good for sure, but so much of it seems like brooding bordering on whining - like music for the terminally sad. But I'm not giving up, so which CD should I buy to appreciate Radiohead (seems like OK Computer or The Bends rate highly) or is Hail to the Thief representative?

Again this is really not intended as a dig, just trying to appreciate another band.

[darrenk]

The bends and OK Computer are the most "accessible" albums and deserve to be listened to.

But hey, if you don't like them then you don't like them. No big deal - we all have different taste.

This may belong in a different section of the forums.

[Unixmonkey]

I'm not a huge radiohead fan either, but I do own the bends, OK Computer, and Kid A

[rafster]

I will use my iPod for House, Progressive House, Electronic, Lo-Fi, Garage and Drum & Bass mainly :-p

[tonicboy]

I love Radiohead and I thought that Hail To The Thief was one of their worst releases. Agree with darrenk that O.K. Computer was their best/most accessible album. Personally, I really enjoyed Kid A but they really took the whole electro/spacey rock thing to the next level on that, so if you're not into that then skip it. Oh yeah, and their music is definitely brooding so if you can't get over that then give up...

[bassman-x]

I found hail to the thief quite inaccesible at first.... until I heard them headline the Glastonbury festival, and then it all made sense!

There are some great tracks on hail to the thief, there are also a few poor ones. However their later stuff is more inaccesible than their earlier work which is more traditionally song orientated.

I'd definitely check out the Bends and OK Computer, both are truly excellent albums and both accesible. I can't decide which is my favourite, tends to switch between the two. Buy both of them!:D

[GuyVer]

Personally and IMHO I still think the Bends is their best work with OK Computer coming in second, Once you get to Kid A territory and beyond they seem to lose the plot a bit.

GuyVer

[MidPack]

I think I'll try OK Computer. That many people can't be wrong.

Thanks again...

[ZoidbergD]

One of my favorite Radiohead records is Kid A.

But I have to say OK Computer is one of the most accessible.

Hail to the Theif isn't quite accessible on the first few listens, but it will get better with each listen. Parts of the songs will reveal themselves if you give them the chance.

[Jackonicko]

Of all the Oxford bands to make it big, Radiohead's success is the most puzzling to me.

Supergrass had energy, balls, and a degree of harmony, but lacked quality control, though 'I Should Coco' still knocks any Radiohead LP into a cocked hat.

Ride were great, too, if more introspective, miserable shoe-gazing stuff is your bag.

But Radiohead? I just don't understand how such relative mediocrity has led to such extreme success. It's like the success of Coldplay compared to the success of the more tuneful Travis.... puzzling.

[an0therdumbsn]

my favorite is ok computer.

[ZoidbergD]

I wouldn't say that Radiohead is mediorce. The fact that most alternative bands tried to copy "Creep" all throughout the 90's is reason enough.

[Moldy]

I used to dislike Radiohead, but they are definitely one of my favorite bands now. By far my favorite British band.

[MidPack]

...glad I asked. Was looking for OK Computer, but found The Bends at the local used CD shop this morning and bought it. Liked it quite a lot on the first listen, now anxious to find OKC, KA and even PH (sorry but I like Creep). Still haven't warmed up to most of HTTT even after about a dozen listens, but I know I will enjoy TB. Thanks guys...

[BigIzz]

I'm actually going to see Radiohead in a little over a week.... I'm very excited.

[stasyna]

I bought the cd based on numerous reviews. I cant grasp the intention or purpose the leader singer is trying to get at...

he kinda moans or some crap in the microphone, and each song sounds distinctly the same.

imo, radiohead just does the same music over and over. It's like bjork gone bad. Bjork and radiohead are practicly the same style of music, and everyone seems to hate her, but love radiohead? okkkk....

oh well, i'll probably get flamed for the comments, bah my opinion anyways. Radiohead hasnt influenced music at all, nothing like AC/DC's music or even a good floyd tune.

Fanbase seems to be quite large. heh i wont be joining that cult anytime soon.

[BigIzz]

Youa re certianly entitled to your opinion but I don't think you can say Radiohead haven't been a big influnce on music. Maybe not as much as AC/DC or Pink Floyd but bear in mind they have had 30 years to make an impact and Radiohead has had about 10. I actually hear quite a bit of Radiohead influence, although none of the bands they influenced are as good as they. See Coldplay, Paloalto, Clinic, Travis, Muse, Stereophonics, Mogwai...

[NiTRO]

I like both Bjork and Radiohead. Totally different musically. How can you say Radiohead hasn't influenced music though? They opened the door for bands like Coldplay. Sure Coldplay are more simplistic but the door was open and they walked right through. Of course AC/DC and Pink Floyd are more influential, like the post before me states, they both have decades of a head-start on Radiohead but the influence is already evidant.

Honestly, I haven't loved the last few albums from Radiohead because I just think I'm a bit over them but I recognize their influence for sure. The Bends and OK Computer are brilliant. The newer stuff certainly has it's moments as well.

[stasyna]

Well.

forget it. i know what's going to happen to this thread.
just my input anyways.

i dont recommend radiohead.

[reorx24]

they arent the most original band, but they definitely are one of the most influential in recent times. DIja know Bono and Edge watch their concerts?
Not everything they make is gold, but the things they do well rank among the best ever done. OK Computer is the 2nd most important album of the 90's, next to Nevermind. But it goes without saying that they're not for everyone.
I personally like them a lot, especially since they are totally uncompromising when it comes to their music, and have not (yet) sold out. Hopefully they never will.
Although Thom Yorke's perpetual snarl IS getting kinda tired....

[loGan]

I've been listening to Radiohead since their early gigs in Oxford so was always aware of their music but I can't say I thought too much of them in the early days.

It was only when The Bends came out and I had listened to it for about a week that it I found myself really blown away. Their music doesn't work for me straight away, I've always had to work on their CDs, really get to know them before I could appreciate them or see them Live.

After that I preached to all my friends for months that they had to buy the Bends and the same thing seemed to be happening all over the world and the Album got bigger and bigger.

OK Computer just picked up where the bends left off.

The trouble was that having made OK Computer how can you possibly top that? They realised that they couldn't so they decided to push the boundaries and experiment instead which led to the occasionally brilliant but pretty inaccessible Kid A and Amnesiac.

I'm still listening to Return of the Thief but first impressions are good. The Glastonbury gig was fantastic.

As for their influence I think it has been enormous.

[Arlah]

Yep yep, Radiohead has to grow on you. I love Thom Yorke's voice though. So.. ethereal...ish. It's definitely different. I still have to beg my parents to let me go to their concert on the 30th. Rawr.

[Jackonicko]

Pretentious, predictable, and false, in my view. What exactly is Thom (Tom...) Yorke supposed to be so unhappy about nowadays? I've also been listening to Radiohead for years, and am now profoundly bored by their interminable whining. And who have they influenced, exactly? Muse, perhaps, but otherwise?

[TuneSlammer]

I spend little time defending my tastes (and much defaming others...lol) Radiohead are an exception. First you ask about "Hail..." They are the only band today as far as I am concerned and I just don't like the album...the songs yes the work no.
Those who ask what the band is moaning about? I have to wonder, well, where they live and can I come there, now...Please. Much other good, solidly crafted music is out there, new and otherwise but as far as scope of vision beginning w/ The Bends through Amnesiac I believe they painted murals, portraits, landscapes, epic and minute. The intrumentation, arrangements, ect...precious and mannered yes but also finely in tune with the overall sense of optimism and well, yeah hope that come through (see them live, this will be revealed) It is ONLY rock and roll, they are pop stars and they write and perform pop songs all true but...OK Computer to Kid A alone keep me intrigued (BTW: Emmylou Harris' 'Wrecking Ball still does this too). Brilliant? unlikely...Pretentious? Oh yeah Challenging themselves ? Yup Getting the big bucks? You bet...Still working for it? not playing Down to you or me..For that I appreciate them.....
No alarms....No surprises

[Moldy]

Originally posted by Jackonicko
Pretentious, predictable, and false, in my view. What exactly is Thom (Tom...) Yorke supposed to be so unhappy about nowadays? I've also been listening to Radiohead for years, and am now profoundly bored by their interminable whining. And who have they influenced, exactly? Muse, perhaps, but otherwise?

YOU HAVE NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION!!

[Elgaran]

If you are a radiohead fan that liked the bends and ok computer but are struggling to get to grips with kid a /amnesiac then buy the live ep they released, knives out. It will all make sense then