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diff --git a/docs/music/radiohead_discog_review.md b/docs/music/radiohead_discog_review.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7ef4dc0 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/music/radiohead_discog_review.md @@ -0,0 +1,157 @@ +# Review of Radiohead Discography + +Last updated 2024-09-22 + +I got into Radiohead, a band with three decades of history, this January, +due to a shitpost youtube video, as discussed in [How I Discover +a Band](./band_discovery.md). + +In this post I will review every Radiohead album I listened to, in the +order of discovery. + +## The Bends + +Guitar album, excellent dynamics. The energy pulses up and down throughout +the album to keep you from boredom or fatigue. + +Compared to other guitar acts I listen to such as MCR or Linkin Park, +Radiohead wins in music theory, most notably in the use of unconventional +chords, while still being accessible to the average music enjoyer. + +Fav tracks: Planet Telex, Fake Plastic Trees, Just, My Iron Lung, Street +Spirit + +Trivia: the opening tracks remind me of that one afternoon I put on The +Bends and took a nap on the couch on 2F of Duderstadt until the 482 +lecture. + +Misheard lyrics: "Ah — this is killing me" sounds to me like "Cool — she's +gay" + +## Kid A + +So electronic you wouldn't believe it's the same Radiohead. Hardly any +guitar. Known as the "greatest left turn in music history". The opener has +got an entrancing vibe (and is also in 10/4), and everything after that is +just so esoteric. + +- Kid A: vocoded vocals +- The National Anthem: J A Z Z +- How to Disappear Completely: polyrhythm bassline, is about dissociation +- Treefingers: instrumental, sounds synth-ish but is actually guitar +- Optimistic: the least esoteric song on the record, but still +- In Limbo: listening to the song makes me in limbo +- Idioteque: samples early computer music "Mild und Leise" +- Morning Bell: 5/4 +- Motion Picture Soundtrack: harp +- Hidden track: whatever it is + +It's an album best listened to alone on headphones. + +Fav tracks: Everything, Anthem, Disappear, Idioteque + +Least fav: In Limbo + +## OK Computer + +Middle ground between The Bends and Kid A. Guitar and electronic. +Definitely great, but I didn't like it (as an album) as much as either. +First off, the album cover is whack. Iconic but not something I want to +decorate my room with. + +Also, personally, the second half of the album (Fitter Happer — The +Tourist) is not exciting. It's just sad. But "No Surprises" is good. + +Tracks worth attention: + +- Airbag: fat bass +- Paranoid Android: Three keys, two time signatures. Magnum opus of music + theory. +- Let Down: underrated. Happens to be my fav song to sing in showers when + I was let down by life and logistics in the US. + +Fav: Paranoid Android, Let Down + +Trivia: whenever Thom sings "interstellar burst, I'm back to save the +universe", this image pops into my head for some reason: + + + +## OKNOTOK + +Kind of a B side compilation reissued in 2017. + +Fav: Lift + +## Amnesiac + +Sequel to Kid A, somehow being more and less accessible at the same time. + +Fav: Pyramid Song, Life In a Glasshouse + +## In Rainbows + +Really mature in terms of everything. My only complaint is "House Of +Cards" is too long. It's not even the best song on the album. + +Remarkable things: + +- 15 Step: 5/4 +- Bodysnatchers: clipping guitar at the beginning, but it's satire on the + loudness war +- Nude: one-octave-apart style bassline, angelic singing +- Weird Fishes: just chill in general +- Jigsaw Falling Into Place: probably Radiohead's happiest song to date +- Videotape: nvm, we sad again + +Overall it's solid as a rock. Not a single bad song made it in here. +I don't even need to skip the "meh" songs. + +Fav: 15 Step, Nude, Weird Fishes, Videotape + +## Hail To The Thief + +Political album. Personally not a fan, because nothing's changed in 20 +years. Musically, I'll be brutal: it's just a bunch of noise. Except +a select few tracks: 2+2=5, Sail To The Moon, "There, There", +Scatterbrain, A Wolf At The Door. + +In other words, HTTT is still growing on me. + +Thom seems to be doing the thing where he repeatedly sings a line along +the chords, using his voice as an instrument. Examples: + +- 2+2=5: "Paying attention" +- Sit Down. Stand up: "The raindrops" +- Where I End And You Begin: "I will eat you alive" +- The Gloaming: "They should be ringing" + +First time it's novel, second time it's acceptable, third time it's +boring. Not a fan. It also drags the album slow (56 minutes). Radiohead +learned the mistake and shortened their followup (In Rainbows). + +Fav: 2+2=5, There, Scatterbrain, Wolf + +## A Moon Shaped Pool + +The heartbreak album. I listen to it when I want to feel miserable. + +Fav: Daydreaming, Ful Stop, Identikit + +## The King Of Limbs + +I like the second half better (Lotus Flower — Separator). + +- The instrumentation and chord progression on "Codex" sound like twenty + one pilots on MTV Unplugged. They should cover it. + +Fav: Codex, Separator + +## Pablo Honey + +Notorious for "Creep" and the MTV Beach House incident. Still good. Opener +surprised me with a 6+6+6+5/8 time signature. + +Growing. |