Gaga's got her "Little Monsters," Justin his "Beliebers," but I have just experienced first hand insanity from some I'd like to call "Radioheadcases."
My Radiohead review is not going over well at The Huffington Post. I expected a bit of a backlash, but jeezaloo!
Many commenters just chalked it up to my "conservative" taste in music. Some said that I should just listen to pop music. A few said I was "missing out." One person said I took a "cheap shot" at Radiohead. I don't think that even makes sense, especially since she was defending the band.
I like this one the best.
"I never understand how people like this reviewer can call themselves music fans. He sounds like a generic Sinatra fan in the 1960's complaining about the noise and repetitive rhythm of that new rock and roll music. His inability to hear melody unless it comes in the obvious and recognizable verse-chorus form makes me sad for the limited amount of music he will experience. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but why would I want to hear the opinion of someone with such a limited scope? Do I ask the regular at Mcdonalds which new restaurant to try out? It's not like these Radiohead albums are avant-garde or experimental considering the range of music made in the last 50 years. The whole "straining to find melody" comment is more embarrassing for him than it is a competent assessment of music. Radiohead's music has always been thoroughly melodically driven. Also, calling the musicians pretentious and then complaining about the arrangement when I'm unsure that the meaning of melody or arrangement is fully grasped by the writer makes me squirm. Usually the typical Radiohead argument comes in a related but more self-aware and honest form which says, "they used to rock but after The Bends they used electronic sounds that I don't like." Personally I think his brain has sabotaged his ears. Perhaps the reviewer would be more comfortable with the pop-vocal section of his local chain store for some safe music that doesn't get too textured."
I think he may be right. I am a "generic Sinatra fan in the 60s"
And I still think Radiohead is in need of a good talking to.
18 comments:
"...makes me sad for the limited amount of music he will experience."
AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Oh, gawd, that is TOO funny! I think I'll be laughing all day over that one. Seriously. All. F'n. Day.
I have long thought that I was too old for Radiohead. (I'm 53) I file them under Pink Floyd for the kids. Although today I think of them more as Pink Floyd without any melodies for the kids.
Nick Lowe said it best, circa 1978.
"The lack of humor and realism in most of today's pop music is staggering."
I don't think that's changed much since...
I have now been told to "go listen to Nickelback" because he "really feels sorry for me that I can't appreciate beauty."
How do I keep my mouth shut?
I remember reading an interview with Richie Blackmore. In the accompanying picture he was wearing a badge which read...
'Everyone is entitled to my opinion'
I'm a Radiohead fan and thought 'In Rainbows' was pretty groovy. I haven't heard the new one, but I'm kinda scared to voice a negative opinion about it in case someone bursts into my house at 3.00am to remove all my Faust, Can, Beefheart, Mogwai, My Bloody Valentine and P. Glass CDs and replaces them with Hootie and The Blowfish as I'm obviously not musically literate to appreciate great art...or something.
"His inability to hear melody unless it comes in the obvious and recognizable verse-chorus form makes me sad for the limited amount of music he will experience "
As opposed to the obscure and unrecognizable kind?
And doesn't the brain always interpret the sounds the ear gathers?
I think I need one for my baby and one more for the road....
f**k reading your post on Huffington, it sound like the comments are much better. next thing you know they'll be trashing bass players and Paul McCartney.
You're living in the past
On a more serious note Sal!
I think you and I have a centre ground where we agree with a lot and vary in the odd different direction, I like Graham Parker, you don't, you like Paul Weller, I don't.
A lot of the stuff we like is "verse chorus verse" or probably more apt verse verse chorus verse chorus bridge chorus but it doesn't end there.
There's nothing wrong with repetition if it is done well, as a spotty teenager I was in to all things Kevin Ayers related, probably still am, and his circle including the likes of Oldfield showed that repetition could be hypnotic.
As a prog fan, there's lots of great repetition and some really poor stuff too.
However there's repetition and there's just random noises.
I'm a massive Radiohead fan, but I'm also a fan of any band who isn't afraid to be objective and say when something isn't that good.
The last two Radiohead albums haven't been that good, I can say that as someone who has bought everything that they've produced and will continue to do so because they will get the muse back.
It's all a bit NME 70's and 80's and it's "How Dare You" letters page when it was dominated by people complaining about previous week's reviews.
I'd also add that most of the comments referring to backward looking tastes are way off the mark.
What Radiohead are doing isn't the now, it's been done just as badly in the past.
I've always looked at it this way...
Anyone who freaks out over an opinion that differs from their own is just terrified that they're wrong.
I also hope you've seen this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeHV3tyNQ60
I know for a fact that you've got that "melody" and "arrangement" thing parsed out. Could be worse. You coulda trashed a '69 Dark Star and have me parked in front of your house . . .
Sal,
I think you should call ethnic bias on the Sinatra comment. He's clearly basing that assumption on the arrangement of vowels in your surname.
I haven't heard the new Radiohead yet, but was belatedly turned on to them when "Kid A" was new and my friend burned me a copy to see what I though of it. It kind of reminded me of post-Syd/pre-Dark Side Pink Floyd at times. I still love that album, though not quite as much as "OK Computer" or "The Bends." I do agree that the albums since then have been uneven, but each (even "Hail to the Thief") have some fine moments. Then again, I do primarily use these albums for napping--maybe that's their real value.
I got off the Radiohead bandwagon with Kid A, which I called The Emperor's New Clothes. Aside from a few tracks here and there, it's been the same since. Not fair to say I don't get it ... I get it, I just don't like it. But you have to expect to catch a world of shit when you knock a band like this that's used as the taste/hipness barometer with so many of their fans. (Similar to Prince fans who can't admit Purple Rain towers above everything else.) Hell, you're free to dislike bands I love with a passion -- no skin off my nose. What you seem to be noticing is the mildly shocking lack of maturity in so many Radiohead fans. Sort of like the nerdy equivalent of rabid Kevin Smith fans. They don't mean you harm, Sal (they're, like, pacifists) -- just understand that they're better than you are because they get post OK Computer Radiohead, and you don't. Accept it ... life becomes much easier when you embrace the truth, man.
Hey William, How about posting that on Huffington? Maybe I'll get some sleep. (and thanks)
I was living in London when Kid A came out. I was reading Q and Mojo at the time, and I got caught up in the hype. I couldn't wait till the damn thing came out, because I was a big fan of OK Computer and the way everyone was talking about it, Kid A had to be about 1000 times better than that.
So I bought it. And I think I've listened to it about 3 times since then--and probably not at all in the last 7 years. I've been tempted to put it on once or twice to see if I was really so wrong, but I know enough about myself that I probably won't like it again. And besides, my music-listening time during the day is a rare commodity, so I honestly would rather listen to something with more of a melody.
And I'm not putting down the kids. It's just not my bag.
sal - this is great.....a big "to-do" about nothing! if someone doesn't like something...who cares? seeing the potential in a piece of music, or a band (while others do not or WILL not) is what it's all about....taking pot-shots like the sinatra comment or saying someone is "living in the past" has little to do with a convincing argument to the contrary.....(and shame on the children who resort to such tactics and while i'm at it - GET OFF MY LAWN YOU PUNKS!).
personally, i don't mind this band, their new one may (or may not) grow on me...but so far, i do feel a bit of a "disconnect" (and it had more to do with the thought that i could've done this myself rather than having been influenced by someone's opinion).
but i don't want to rumple any feathers and i certainly don't want to be called names (simply because i have chosen a different path to follow and dare I say, a different "drum machine" to dance to)......
GMB
I also stopped 'liking' Radiohead after (or maybe during) The Bends. To each their own. There's lots of music that rates only one or two stars IMHO. I think that's normal. Anyway, I'm posting here because your taste is more or less in line with mine. Keep keeping me in the know, and thinking about music ... please!
Hey Sal,
Have I told you that I think you are living in the past?
I am however gonna try to get over to HP when I return home tomorrow to defend your honour. Bedtime at present in the UK.
BTW, Radiohead have a following akin to Morrissey and Bill Nelson, in that you dare not speak ill of any little thing they noodle and doodle.
Post a Comment