all radiohead, all the time
If I had to choose my "desert island" CDs, the ones I would play forever and never get to exchange, then I am sure they would all be Radiohead discs. The band who are often imitated but never duplicated are so diverse, I wouldn't feel as if I was listening to the same artist with each CD. And I think this is why they have stayed so popular and stayed together as a band for so long. Thom and Jonny have never tried to make the same album twice, always challenging themselves and bringing something new to each release. I have read many reviews where the writer drooled all over OK Computer, but dismissed Kid A or Amnesiac as wild experimental unlistenable noise.
To me, Kid A was the natural progression from the overwhelming success of OK Computer. Prior to the release of OkC, Radiohead was primarily known outside of their fan base as the band who played "Creep". But once the critics hailed OkC as the best album ever (and it just might be), the band was catapulted into the spotlight and the pressure to produce another masterpiece was thrust upon them. I think Thom and Co. wanted to do just that - but in a different direction from OkC. Why make a copy of something you've already done? Why try to recreate something that no one will ever possibly think is as great as what came first? Kid A is a masterpiece, but it is not OK Computer II, and I'm glad. The difference makes Kid A, and its shadow, Amnesiac (which was almost titled "Kid B"), just as wonderful works of art as was OK Computer.
all photos from radiohead.com (click for larger size)
I am waiting with some anxiety for the next Radiohead release. The live, unreleased tracks that the band debuted earlier this year are among the best I've ever heard. Enjoy some of their older music, some of the live new tracks, and then go out and reward yourself with their entire back catalogue. A friendly hint: the best way to listen to all of their albums is from the first track to the last, without skipping songs (except for Pablo Honey). You don't get the same experience unless you enjoy them as entire collections of songs, in a specific order.
radiohead: how to disappear completely from kid a
(thom's favorite! click here for the nme article)
radiohead: idioteque from kid a
radiohead: knives out from amnesiac
radiohead: gagging order from com lag
live stuff
radiohead: arpeggi [live in boston 2006]
radiohead: house of cards [live in boston 2006]
radiohead: all i need [live in san diego 2006]
I could probably turn this into an all Radiohead, all the time blog. What can I say? I'm obsessed.
7 comments:
"What can I say? I'm obsessed."
and for good reason. want to see some funny shit? peep this old radiohead video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bf46DtFwZY
thom would probly try to have me assassinated for linking that
i agree indie mom :) as amnesiac is my secret favorite radiohead album... i believe that no matter what they create, their feeling is always easy for me to love.
those boston tracks make me happy as house of cards takes on a whole new amazing level.
thanks for sharing the radiohead goodness, its never enough.
"How to disappear completely" est une chanson qui me déchire le coeur pour des raisons personnelles... elle me donne le frisson, le vertige et longtemps, je n'ai pas pu l'écouter sans me mettre à pleurer. Merci.
I commiserate (sp?) with your obsession, because I share it. It's gotten to the point where no other music will do--and over a long life I've listened to tons of it. I was lucky enough to see the band twice this summer (I was the geriatric in the pit, lol). Thank you for posting these tracks. And if you want to go "all Radiohead 24/7", I'll be there with you.
.good grief.
not another radiohead fan posts... :P
bad enough I have to deal with Moka, the biggest radiohead fan in mp3 bloggerdome. Now we have swarm. You guys are not going to make a convention or something are you? heh..
nice post. just passing by clicking on my bookmark.
Hi D ...
A Radiohead convention? Where??? We'll be there! We're both obsessed. LOL
I'm surprised (and sorry) Indie-Mom didn't post one of her 5 versions of "Punchup At a Wedding."
~alt-gramma~
A friendly hint: the best way to listen to all of their albums is from the first track to the last, without skipping songs (except for Pablo Honey). You don't get the same experience unless you enjoy them as entire collections of songs, in a specific order.
I couldn't agree more.
Just recently posted How to disappear completely, my all time favorite. Nice selections and thanks for the live tracks, they are always a treat.
Actually the aforementioned song just shuffled on. Kind of crazy.
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