Convince me to like Radiohead.

Folsom · « **on:** 12 Jan 2006, 12:11 pm »

I have their Iron Lung [EP] and have heard them more then once. I will try to borrow another album of theirs if I find some one who has it.

However the thing is every time I try to listen to them I get bored before I even finish a song. The only song I completely listen to ever is one featuring the singer on a UNKLE CD.

Please talk me into “one of the greatest bands ever to exists”. I guess I simply am not seeing the light.

zybar · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 12:24 pm »

WHY?

You either like them or you don't.

Move on...

George

boead · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 12:51 pm »

Quote from: Destroyer of Smiles.

I have their Iron Lung [EP] and have heard them more then once. I will try to borrow another album of theirs if I find some one who has it.

However the thing is every time I try to listen to them I get bored before I even finish a song. The only song I completely listen to ever is one featuring the singer on a UNKLE CD.

Please talk me into “one of the greatest bands ever to exists”. I guess I simply am not seeing the light.

I feel the same way about U2, I just don't get it. To me Radiohead and U2 are boring. I recently deleted nearly every u@ and Radiohead album in MP3 that a friend gave me. Haven’t missed it for a second.

eric the red · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 12:59 pm »

Convince me to like Jello. Lots of people think its the greatest dessert on earth. Not me

philipp · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 01:43 pm »

Ditto all of the above. I've tried many times and can't find a place in my heart for them either. Then again, I've seen some of my all-time favorite CDs show up in the used bins at my local store. It happens.

p.s. You don't have to love the Beatles either

!

gary · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 02:16 pm »

My Iron Lung is a really good EP, I think Punchdrunk Lovesick Singalong and You Never Wash Up After Yourself are two of their better songs and if you don't like those you probably won't like the band. Having said that, if you really want to give them a chance borrow OK Computer and listen to it straight through at least four or five times. You'll either hate them passionately, or realize it's about the greatest record ever made. There's not much middle ground with radiohead.

Gary

elcaptain88 · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 02:29 pm »

I like Radiohead - but don't love all of their albums. Pablo Honey, their first album, doesn't do much for me. 'The Bends' is easily my favorite - it has much more of a heavy guitar/rock feel to it & is easily listenable over & over. Starting with OK Computer, which is second in rank for me, their work gets somewhat moody and less accessible. I still pull on Kid A, Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief from time to time, but not nearly as often.

JoshK · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 02:37 pm »

The think "The Bends" is the most accessible to start with for a Rock fan, Ok Computer is probably the "best" all around work they did. But you either like them or you don't.

FWIW, I absolutely love the Iron Lung EP, so maybe you just don't like them. Fair 'nough. But it did take me quite a bit to warm up to Wilco, now I really dig them.

woodsyi · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 02:43 pm »

Quote from: elcaptain88

I like Radiohead - but don't love all of their albums. Pablo Honey, their first album, doesn't do much for me. 'The Bends' is easily my favorite - it has much more of a heavy guitar/rock feel to it & is easily listenable over & over. Starting with OK Computer, which is second in rank for me, their work gets somewhat moody and less accessible. I still pull on Kid A, Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief from time to time, but not nearly as often.

Interesting that I think Pablo Honey is the most accessible in that it is the most tuneful. The rest is like listening to Berg and Schonberg -- acquired taste. For those of you who like Bends and OK Computer, give a listen to Lulu by Berg -- you might like it.

Thump553 · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 02:47 pm »

Thank God I am not the only one who is indifferent to Radiohead. I also can't stand jello-maybe it's related?

A year or so I dug out a bunch of music that I loved in my college days but really haven't listened to since then. Back then I thought of that music as great, but something that took repeated listenings to understand or enjoy. On my relistening, I came to the conclusion that much of my previous enjoyment of that music was based somewhat on a music elitist attitude (it's not popular, but the critics love it so it must be better than the pablum on the radio).

Maybe I'm being unfair, but I wonder how many people will be pulling out their old copy of OK Computer twenty years from now. Not many, I think.

Carlman · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 02:48 pm »

Hail to the Thief has a song called "Go to Sleep" which one of my favorite songs by them. The guitar rift rocks and the whole song mutates over the course of its play... try giving that one song a complete listen on a good system.

I couldn't listen to Kid A. OK Computer is a great album, and I agree with the advice above... to give it a full listen and try to let it grow on you. I didn't get it at first.

I get a little irritated with his voice sometimes but the music is very interesting.

-C

jackman · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 02:50 pm »

Quote from: JoshK

The think "The Bends" is the most accessible to start with for a Rock fan, Ok Computer is probably the "best" all around work they did. But you either like them or you don't.

FWIW, I absolutely love the Iron Lung EP, so maybe you just don't like them. Fair 'nough. But it did take me quite a bit to warm up to Wilco, now I really dig them.

Hey, "what he said"! I totally agree with Josh. I have been a fan of Radiohead since I saw them open for REM. They completely blew REM off the stage and I was hooked from the start. I had never heard any of their music before seeing them live but bought the Bends the next day. The Bends is the most conventional or accessable album but OK Computer is my favorite. "Plastic Trees" on Bends is one of my favorite songs of all time. Great place to start your Radiohead listning.

It's funny but I also agree regarding Wilco. They are now one of my favorite bands but it took a while to warm up to them.

Who knows, you may never like Radiohead. Nothing wrong with that, it's your enjoyment that matters. I'm the same way with a lot of classical. Just can't get into it.

Cheers,

J

eric the red · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 03:21 pm »

Quote from: Thump553

Thank God I am not the only one who is indifferent to Radiohead. I also can't stand jello-maybe it's related?

"If you like Pina Coladas
And walks in the rain
If you're not into yoga
And like the taste of champagne"

I actually enjoy Radiohead's music. Patricia Barber's on the other hand...

srx04 · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 06:24 am »

Bought Pablo Honey back in the day....loved it...forgot about it...noticed lots of talk about radiohead this and that....ripped some cds...rediscovered some music...thinking about reigniting the radiohead ember ....then again maybe I should head upstairs and ignite something........ah......better chances with downloading at this hour!!!!

U2 still the best band of all time.

Beatles......I just don't get it...sure a few hundred catchy tunes...but for me passionless

I'm thinking of putting together a motley crue group of artists...from the gorrilaz to that paisley pseudo country singer dude (man can he shred for a country boy,brad paisley is it??) and doing an album of beatles tunes that are more upbeat and groovy maybe even alittle hip hop thrown in. You know more upto date so the younger crowd can relate For example:

Take "I wanna hold your hand" and either give it a up tempo harder rock sound ....OR...hip hop with a smoother groove with some soft rap mixed in.....OK ready for this the title will be....."I Wanna Grind your a@@"
You know in reference to the style of dancing... grinding.
Repeat after me.......I Wanna grind your AAA AAA A@@ I wanna grind your A@@.

Please forgive me my fellow posters, its late and I should be sleeping...Now where's that Stone Roses file at????????

united1 · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 10:01 am »

I'm big time fan that did not listen to a Radiohead album until I got into music...say 2 years ago. Been hooked ever since and can't wait until their next album. Thing with Radiohead fans is - once you "get it" everything else (as far as rock/alt) sounds amature-ish in comparison.

Listen to "The Bends" first. I made a big mistake by buying their latest album "Hail to the Thief" first...and at first listen I thought to myself "what the heck is this crap?" But as I began to understand...everything started to make sense...and now nothing comes close, not even half way LOL.

Go with The Bends. Play the entire album while doing something else like reading the paper or book, surfing the web, etc... Repeat process until one day a song "hits" you.

Funny how most fans go through the same "learning curve" with this band. I had to drag a friend to have one listen. He found them too weird for his taste. A couple hours ago we we're talking about a PC audio setup to enjoy benefits of a large cd ripped library. He said "why? i have all 6 Radiohead albums in my cd changer and that's all i need!" Hilarious!

Folsom · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 10:11 am »

I also think the Beatles sucked at making music... They made some of the very best songs of all time, they just sucked and singing and playing them. Sure they could play well but it sounds boring, extremely bland.

People that love the Beatles get mad when I say I like Joe Cockers version of "With a little help from my friends". The people who are not hardcore Beatles fans always aggree Joe Cocker is better after I play it.

I like probably two songs by the Beatles, that is all. I do not aggree with Rap/Hip-hop new stuff... I do aggree with people doing covers of their songs, as far as I am concerned the best Beatles songs are covers from other bands.

I will try to ge my hands on some Radiohead..... I just find it hard to believe they are THAT god like.

jasonc · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 02:11 pm »

"Convince me to like Radiohead"

I say allow Radiohead to do that. As others have stated if you're really interested start with The Bends. The first time I heard Fake Plastic Trees I was beguiled and became a fan for life.
Not everyone likes Radiohead (my wife) but for those that do they accomplish the pinnicle in music- to lift and transport.

ted_b · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 03:12 pm »

I have to agree with most posters that say to begin with The Bends. If you don't like their most accessible album, that's ok. I don't like Pet Sounds.

My college son is my oldest, and he bought me Amnesiac like almost two years before I got into Radiohead. I tried to listen a couple of times but gave up (in retrospect, a tough place to start). Then, one truly magical day in my music life, my son, his lifelong friend/college roommate and I were driving to Hilton Head, with wife, rest of kids and wife's best friend in van behind us. We were in the Virginia mountains and my son insists that I give Radiohead another try. First he puts on OK Computer. Sounds good, but it's a bit eclectic. Then Hail To the Thief, just released at the time. By the time cut 9, There, There, is on I'm VERY hooked. When I asked him to put OK Computer back on I am LOVING it. It's the best thing I've heard in many years.

They haven't come off my rotation since, they are my favorite existing band, and that all began three summers ago. Thank you Mike (pay-back from me doing the same for him with Pink Floyd, Hendrix and most of all, his fave, Bob Dylan). Although I'm not a Pablo Honey fan, I love everything since then. The b-sides are plentiful and could make 4-5 cd's that are masterpieces in of themselves. As ironic luck would have it, Radiohead's last live performance in my area was during that Hilton Head trip! Oh well, anticipating a new album and tour is always fun.

Moral of the story, you'll either get them or you won't. It may come upon you at some whacked time. Let it flow...you can't force it.

Edit: Same comments about Wilco as others too. Now a favorite...Although I'm still having trouble accepting some of their pre-Summerteeth stuff. I know, I know....

zybar · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 03:26 pm »

Quote from: srx04

Now where's that Stone Roses file at????????

I love the Stone Roses!

Most people have no clue who they are. I can't remember who first played them for me back in college, but I owe that person a beer!

George

zybar · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Jan 2006, 03:34 pm »

Quote from: ted_b

Edit: Same comments about Wilco as others too. Now a favorite...Although I'm still having trouble accepting some of their pre-Summerteeth stuff. I know, I know.....

Besides pre-Summerteeth (Being There is very, very good), you really should listen to Uncle Tupelo.

It certainly isn't the same sound as Wilco's last few releases, but it is some of my favorite music and is always heavy in my rotations. I am especially partial to:

March 16-20, 1992
Anodyne

Both of these have been re-mastered and re-released and sound very, very good.

A couple of other bands in the same genre are:

Blue Rodeo
The Jayhwaks
Son Volt (former Uncle Tupelo members)

If you go backwards and look at bands that influenced their music, check out:

The Byrds
The Band
Neil Young
REM

George