OT: The Traditional New Radiohead Album Discussion Thread

Blublub · Post by **Blublub** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:46 am

Got my secret decoder ring number and downloading as I write. Discuss.

Edit: First thing I notice is that there is no cover art with the MP3s. Anyone know of a link to it somewhere?

Edit 2: There's a fairly decent version at http://www.thedailyswarm.com/headlines/ ... cover-art/.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:55 am

Well I can't stand them, but someone from the BBC has had a go on the website

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7037194.stm

How much did you pay, Blub ?

Blublub · Post by **Blublub** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:42 am

Well, I only threw them £2.50 (ends up being £3.00 with the processing charge), mostly because I was a little skeptical that the whole thing would work.

It did, without a hitch. Got the email on time and the download was amazingly quick. Looks like the main site is overloaded this morning, but the downloads are elsewhere.

As far as the music, I tried to avoid hearing the lo-fi versions all over the web the past week or so, so it actually feels fresh. Like what I hear so far, but if it's like past RH albums it won't really shine until multiple listenings.

"Nude" is beautiful, but just a re-arranged version of "Big Ideas (Don't Get Any)" that they've been doing live for ages. The rest does have a sort of "sameiness," so my jury's still out. I do like it at first blush more than Thom's solo album, but not as much as "HTTT." It does seem to be a long way from "OK Computer." But, as the BBC guy stated in the link you posted:

"I remember being unsure about OK Computer at first, before finally realising it was brilliant after a good half-dozen listens.

But this feels like it has less substance to worm its way into your life."

That pretty much sums it up for me so far...

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:43 am

What's even more confusing about this release is the deluxe version is supposed to have a 2nd CD with additional songs, some of which are live stand-outs.

So is this current download just half of the whole "In Rainbows" release? Or is this release just throwing a bunch of songs at us that they finished recording, a la "Amnesiac"?

Blublub · Post by **Blublub** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:08 pm

I think the online version can be considered a full release with the second disc as bonus stuff. It does seem to flow rather well as an album rather than songs hastily thrown together, but overall it does have a certain "Amnesiac" feel. I'm fairly sure it is Amnesiac that this will be compared with, when all is said and done - certainly not bad, but also not revolutionary (other than the means of distribution).

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:28 am

What a weird website to download the album from.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:45 am

Yes i wonder if there is a point to all this. Could it be just to see who would pay for a possible free album or something more.

Either way its all good but they are gonna hit you for an $81 bag of goodies this xmas so if you plan on picking that up you may wanna give them very little for this album, unless you think if you pay a reasonable amount you may get a bonus or even a free concert who knows.

Ive grown detached from Radiohead with all this experimenting since ok computer.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:16 am

Jimmydeicide wrote:Yes i wonder if there is a point to all this. Could it be just to see who would pay for a possible free album or something more.

Either way its all good but they are gonna hit you for an $81 bag of goodies this xmas so if you plan on picking that up you may wanna give them very little for this album, unless you think if you pay a reasonable amount you may get a bonus or even a free concert who knows.

Ive grown detached from Radiohead with all this experimenting since ok computer.

So far I'm thru to House of Cards and I've enjoyed it. Very atmospheric in the later songs, nothing too tuney. Fave so far? Probably Nude.

cootdog · Post by **cootdog** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:49 am

Nothing revolutionary here, but I didn't really expect that. There's definitely some evolution here... hearing bits and pieces of The Eraser, Amnesiac, and strangely, a more "live" sound. It's all very tastefully done, as you'd expect -- the bombast that popped up now and again on Hail to the Thief ("2+2=5") is almost nowhere present. Early standouts for me: "All I Need", "Reckoner", "Videotape".

b_assassin · Post by **b_assassin** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:55 am

Jimmydeicide wrote:Yes i wonder if there is a point to all this. Could it be just to see who would pay for a possible free album or something more.

Either way its all good but they are gonna hit you for an $81 bag of goodies this xmas so if you plan on picking that up you may wanna give them very little for this album, unless you think if you pay a reasonable amount you may get a bonus or even a free concert who knows.

Ive grown detached from Radiohead with all this experimenting since ok computer.

Now that they are no longer beholden to a record deal, and they've never seemed too agitated by people getting music for little to no cost, my guess is they are doing what they think is right. From what I've heard, the average download price was ~£8.00, so they are at least getting money from their dedicated fans, and even more from those ordering the box set thing. I'd bet they are going to make out a bit better than they would have if the album was distributed by more traditional means. Good for them.

I'm really liking the album myself, but I'm always eager for new Radiohead tunes. My favorite track so far is "House of Cards", I can't stop myself from listening to it over and over... A simple but beautiful song, and some of Thom's best vocal work IMO. I haven't put much thought into where it ranks against their other albums yet, I need to listen more.

I wouldn't call this the 'experimental' Radiohead anymore, this is just what they are now I think. I hope they keep it going, I need more of their music, not less

cootdog · Post by **cootdog** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:01 pm

"House of Cards" has grown on me. It could go on for another 5 minutes, and I'd be happy.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:38 pm

davet010 wrote:Well I can't stand them, but someone from the BBC has had a go on the website

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7037194.stm

Hard to take a reviewer very seriously when he says his favourite RH album is Pablo Honey.

Why do you think they insist on knowing our mobile phone numbers?

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:49 pm

Feanor wrote:
davet010 wrote:Well I can't stand them, but someone from the BBC has had a go on the website

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7037194.stm
Hard to take a reviewer very seriously when he says his favourite RH album is Pablo Honey.

Why do you think they insist on knowing our mobile phone numbers?

Free ringtones?