Bishop Jerry Weighs In
In an email from my famous father....
So, I am listening to my favorite station, that being National Public Radio, and they come on saying that Radiohead has been named the best british band of the past 20 years. Another quote called them the best band, period. I was fascinated ... I had heard of them, and knew that one of my favorite people, that being Samuel Stroman, esq. was a big fan at one time, so I stuck around and listened to the interview with Thom York, their lead singer.
They begin by playing a early song called Creep, or I'm a Creep or something like that ... in which he drops the F bomb .. which, of course, got bleeped on public radio. Needless to say, I wasn't terribly impressed. But something bothered me even more ... I had to stay tuned, because this couldn't be true ... this couldn't be the greatest band, or greatest british band ... it just couldn't .... I had to hear what this guy had to say ...
Fairly interesting interview, typical rock jock who could barely put a full sentence together. Great accent, though. They go back and forth with the typical "What were you thinking when you wrote this song?" "Who are your influences?" etc... Then they decide it is time to hear something more current ... off the new album ... They choose No Surprises off of OK Computer. They do the usual buildup to the playing of the song, which, as you probably know, is a really slow song. Mr. York divulges that they played the song up-tempo, and then slowed it down for the vocal track. He sang to the slowed-down track. The interviewer asked "doesn't that change the pitch when you slow it down?" To which Thom York of Radiohead, the greatest band of the past 20 years, confirmed my worst fears and suspicions ... "That don't bother me, I can't sing on pitch, anyway"!!!!!!!!!!! It's true! There really is a worse singer than Billy Corgan .... and he sings for the best band alive!!!!!!!!!!
Now you know why I turn my back on the current state of popular music.
Long live Three Dog Night!
Love,
Dad
Respond as you see fit...
As for me?
Here it is:
I will not vehemently disagree with you. I am not a DIEHARD Radiohead fan. You haven't heard a lot of what they do, Dad, so you are coming at it a little shortchanged. That Creep song sucks. I hate that song. It is one of the ONLY songs of theirs played on the radio. Why? Because it is one of the most mainstream. The real Radiohead lies on the Bends, OK Computer, and Kid A. They write epic anthems with weird sounds, interesting musical ideas, and very original subject matter. Hey, even the liner notes of OK Computer show the Christus at Temple Square with a family looking up at it. Go figure... Name another rock band who includes Jesus in their liner notes!!! Maybe they ARE the best band, Dad...
Dad, listen to Fake Plastic Trees, Bulletproof....I Wish I Was, High and Dry, Paranoid Android, Karma Police, and ESPECIALLY How to Disappear Completely off of Kid A . They are innovative. that's the bottom line. Speakin gof innovative, you also have issues about Nirvana. You have told me repeatedly that you don't see the magic there. Frankly, I don't either. I do not even own ONE Nirvana song. I am grateful for their influence but I really don't defend them ever...or listen to them for that matter.
Bottom line: they are ahead of their time. They break the mold. They challenge the norms. Hey...a lot like another mop-topped British band I know of. You happen to like them....
Sincerely,
Your son
P.S. The above picture is of my dad discussing music with his old-school cronies.
P.S.S. Radiohead is most certainly NOT popular music. They are rock...but they are in no way mainstream in remotely the same way Justin Timberlake, Nickelback, and 50 Cent are. They may be sold in the same music store as those guys...that's about all they have in common.
Respond as you see fit...
As for me?
Here it is:
I will not vehemently disagree with you. I am not a DIEHARD Radiohead fan. You haven't heard a lot of what they do, Dad, so you are coming at it a little shortchanged. That Creep song sucks. I hate that song. It is one of the ONLY songs of theirs played on the radio. Why? Because it is one of the most mainstream. The real Radiohead lies on the Bends, OK Computer, and Kid A. They write epic anthems with weird sounds, interesting musical ideas, and very original subject matter. Hey, even the liner notes of OK Computer show the Christus at Temple Square with a family looking up at it. Go figure... Name another rock band who includes Jesus in their liner notes!!! Maybe they ARE the best band, Dad...
Dad, listen to Fake Plastic Trees, Bulletproof....I Wish I Was, High and Dry, Paranoid Android, Karma Police, and ESPECIALLY How to Disappear Completely off of Kid A . They are innovative. that's the bottom line. Speakin gof innovative, you also have issues about Nirvana. You have told me repeatedly that you don't see the magic there. Frankly, I don't either. I do not even own ONE Nirvana song. I am grateful for their influence but I really don't defend them ever...or listen to them for that matter.
Bottom line: they are ahead of their time. They break the mold. They challenge the norms. Hey...a lot like another mop-topped British band I know of. You happen to like them....
Sincerely,
Your son
P.S. The above picture is of my dad discussing music with his old-school cronies.
P.S.S. Radiohead is most certainly NOT popular music. They are rock...but they are in no way mainstream in remotely the same way Justin Timberlake, Nickelback, and 50 Cent are. They may be sold in the same music store as those guys...that's about all they have in common.
posted by Anonymous at 7/12/2006 09:19:00 PM
3 Comments:
The British are famous for fads, and overzealous proclamations. I read in a mag that the new Snow Monkeys CD was voted one of the best of the last xx amount of years. Bull crap. Radiohead is NOT the best band of the last twenty years in my opinion. I wouldn't even say that about my favorite bands. I'd have to think about it more, but "the BEST?" I think they are unique, interesting, and I like many songs, but let's not exaggerate.
Hey pushing Scott's buttons by making fun of his music? Your dad and I have something in common already.
Yes, it would be the ARCTIC Monkeys. I mess up. I didn't think their album was anything to write home about, but I only listened once. I'll have to listen again. Anyway, the point being is that everyone has a list, and different bands top different lists. Putting Radiohead above all other bands in the past twenty years puts them ahead of some very unique, influential, and hugely successful artists, both financially and artistically. I don't know how Radiohead stacks up... I wouldn't put them there, but that's me and MY list.
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