Whats So Good About Radiohead?

[Joshy]

Disclaimer: I am profoundly deaf.

 

I agree with the points @Endless has made. I listen to a wide range of music from Sufjan Stevens to Aphex Twin but Radiohead is ultimately my favourite band. I'd argue that they are a strong contender for being one of the best bands of all time (it would be a futile cause to select just one) for several reasons: 

• They are incredibly cohesive for a band that have explored so many soundscapes, when they go from acoustic to electronic to bossa nova, it still feels unequivocally Radiohead.
• They have churned out many solid albums which is rare for bands and artists.
• They have pushed boundaries of musical genres with their experimental approach, kinda similar to what Pink Floyd did in the 70s, and have created very timeless sounds.
• They are authentic, real, universal, and meaningful.
• The emotional impact is undeniable, they come up with great timeless gut-punchers.
• Their music create a powerful sense of connection and empathy, I feel a lot less alone listening to them.

Granted it did take me a while before I got into them. In Rainbows was their first album I listened to in 2013, it didn't have much of an impact on me initially until only 2 years ago, it is now my favourite album. OK Computer and The Bends was what got me hooked initially and then I started tumbling down the rabbit hole afterwards.

 

These two songs are probably my top 2 (though I wouldn't say it's their best objectively speaking):

 

[dew]

I respect Radiohead, they hold to their unique, very distinctive identity despite their prolific long career. Not many bands can claim that. I'm not the biggest fan though, I'm just in love with Idioteque.

[kalaeth]

I used to not enjoy radiohead that much (except for Creep that one song I always loved), until I listened to OK Computer while I was really down, probably on the lowest points of self-esteem I've ever been and it kinda.. Resonated. After that the rest became "better" to my ears. Can't really say what it is that I like so much about them, but I'll probably agree that the atmosphere of their songs makes me "feel" and that's always good in music.

 And I'm a big metalhead too, but I've always tried to avoid being stuck in one style, even going so far as to listen to thing in genres I don't like at least once or twice from time to time, this way I can say that what I like I really like and what I dislike, I really dislike. 

 Of course there have been times I was stuck in a specific type of music, I've spent like, a full year listening only to stoner metal / rock, for instance, but I find that with time it's each time more rare that I get stuck for longer than a day or two. It helps that I'm almost always listening to music while at home and that youtube keeps recommending different stuff. 

[DSC]

It seems my last post here made a wrong impression of my opinions to everyone. I didn't mean to say that metal is the only good genre: its just that it made me care even less for a genre I didn't even like that much to begin with.

 

Which is kind of a shame really. Everybody says we have to not be close-minded and try and understand everything, but electronic music is something just far beyond my reach...

[Biodegradable]

I've only recently been listening to Radiohead this past year. I'd be lying if I said I was a huge fan, so I'm more with Dew sitting on the sidelines quietly nodding and respecting the work that they do while not being totally infatuated with it. That being said, I do have a few favourite tracks of theirs I can share:

 

 

 

 

 

[Gokuma]

Here's a classic throwback.   Embed won't work though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZNkz1V5ahU

 

Or the full episode (don't need to log in to see it):

https://www.facebook.com/NTSRadio/videos/10156174343515444

 

 

[Maximum Matt]

I've still got The Bends and OK Computer on CD, I'll throw them on occasionally.... yeah, nice melodies, cool interesting chord progressions, but I must admit I'm more of a savage metal guy.  

I always thought this song was sweet tho:

 

[Hellbent]

My friend is a huge Radio-head, and so I have listened to a lot of their music over the years. I think the biggest stumbling block for me becoming a fan is the drums they use. I just do not like how their drumming sounds. Sounds very cheap and synthetic to my ears most of the time; like they are using the cheapest, lamest synthetic drums they can find. Although listening to National Anthem right now this song seems to be an exception as the drums here sound fine and normal and maybe even good, though here Thom York's voice is too whiney (overall I think he has a decent voice).

 

That said, one of the things I've often complained to my friend about their sound is that Radiohead's music sounds like they're trying to capture the experience of having a fever. Otherwise a lot of their music is pretty good. But, yeah, more than anything, the drums ruin the music for me, like eating a plate of pasta that has artichokes, shrimp and scallops in a tomato cream sauce, with vinegar poured over it, and then still trying to enjoy it. I wish Radiohead would invest in some nice drums so I could enjoy their music.

 

My first impression of listening to National Anthem just now is that it sounds good and horrible at the same time. The album art for Kid A is pretty cool, though; reminds me of a snowy version of the end graphic to original release Doom. 

Edited January 3, 2021 by Hellbent

[purist]

They are one of my favourite bands. It seems futile to explain why to someone who doesn't like them as no artist is for everyone.

 

I like how their lyrics are abstract but convey emotion and I like that they have a distinctive sound despite being quite eclectic and willing to experiment. When listening to their music out and about on headphones it feels like it transports you to another world.

[Maximum Matt]

On 1/3/2021 at 9:37 PM, Hellbent said:

My friend is a huge Radio-head

* Radiohead-head

[Taw Tu'lki]

 

[DJVCardMaster]

Nothing, is critically aclaimed by 4chan users who reign over sites like RateYourMusic, their opinions matter the most over everyone else's. People that think good Grunge albums are both Shoegaze or Post Hardcore rather than Grunge because they despise the genre.
They are a good band, but nothing otherworld -ish. They are barely above average in terms of 90's music.
Trying to make something overly "progressive" or "ambient" or "avant-garde" theese days is a cheap way to call your self a "good musician".
Also I prefer Pablo Honey over every single other Radiohead album maybe with the exception of OK Computer.

[SYS]

I was never into them. In fact have expressed disdain. But people that aren't me get on with it. I saw a meme a while ago about "why is new music so depressing? " and the punchline is Doomer meme listen to radio head. Too funny.