I have to say that Radiohead is the best band we have seen since U2 was in their prime in the 80s. You can take any "great" artist, and always find detractors, such is the nature of music. When the biggest selling album is Eminem, then its clear that the "masses" arent the best judges of great music. I think the best proof of great music is the replay-ability years down the road, the fact that younger generations will listen to and enjoy music that for the most part isnt dated.
While the songwriting isnt too amazing, its at least interesting, and not direct like most mainstream music today. Thom Yorke has an amazing voice, comparable in presense to Bono. His voice carries alot of the songs so very well, ignoring the lyrics, his voice is oftentimes the main instrument, and a beautiful instrument it is. While they can rock with guitars with anybody else today, they also bring vibrant sounds to their music. OK Computer was their best "symphony", from Paranoid Android and Let Down to Exit Music and Karma Police, and of course the stark contrast between Climbing Up the Walls and No Suprises, its a wonderful album. Kid A has many great songs, and is really one of the most "complete" albums that has come out in a long time. The album is one long experience, with variations from track to track; but remains one strong mesh of sound. While much more electronica than OK Computer, it is still a well constructed album. Amnesiac is really the B Sides from Kid A, a grouping of extra songs that dont seem to blend as well. Individually they are pretty strong though.
The reason I got into Radiohead was from a recommendation from someone when I had asked for good music to "show off" my speakers. U2 and Radiohead were the "mainstream" pics I most heard. The reason is evident with their work. The songs have wonderful range of instrumentation, pressing all frequencies available. They have a wonderful producer, to put the great work together. Their "sound" is the best in the biz. I think the range of instrumentation helps, because they arent sharing common frequencies too much, but there is just *something* about their mixes that sound great. Ive tried to finger it for sometime, but to no avail. Their really isnt too much channel seperation to create clarity (like the Beatles did), their mixes are pretty much straight mono with small bits pushed hard left and right. No realy panning or phasing.
They simply offer much more than any other band right now, and I cant wait until their next album comes out in the spring.
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