I Just Don't Get Radiohead

[llibnanoon]

I am trying so hard to understand why Radiohead is so popular. I have listen to most of their music now and I give their songs mostly average to below average ratings. I just don't get it! Thom Yorke sings below the music and to me sounds like mumbling, and the music is all over the place. Just my opinion, I know I am gonna cause a ruckus with the die hard fans.

Help me understand what it is I am missing.

I can't even give you a Top 5. Here is what I feel is the only tracks worth of above average ratings

1. High And Dry
2. Creep
3. Lotus Flower
4. There, There

[Hayden]

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

[BozoTyrannus]

I was in a similar boat to you for many years. I did not like Radiohead. Finally I asked a hardcore Radiohead fan what the appeal was. This was the conversation.

Him: How much have you listened to?

Me: Quite a lot.

Him: What did it remind you of?

Me: Nothing.

Him: Exactly.

That made something click in my mind. I loved all the bands that had been hailed as revolutionary at some point, who were later copied and imitated to death. But this conversation made me realize that's exactly what Radiohead is doing now.

I still didn't like them though.

He suggested listening first to The Bends. Just The Bends, nothing else from Radiohead. So I did, several times, and it grew on me. After that, he suggested, add OK Computer to the list of albums. I did, and gradually I began to really enjoy it. Once you enjoy those, enjoying the rest comes easily. Presently one of my favorite songs is "Videotape" from the In Rainbows album. I would've hated it before, but now I passionately adore it.
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I wanna take Sean Penn
And take Sean Bean
Put 'em in a blender
And make Sean Pean

[llibnanoon]

Thanks for the Advice. Maybe I will follow this guideline.

[RockyRaccoon]

Maybe you just don't like Radiohead? Not everyone is going to like them, that's kind of the nature of art.

And hey, maybe one day it'll click. I've had artists I just didn't really like for years and then one day I gave an album another chance and it finally clicked with me. Who knows? I wouldn't worry about it
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2023 Chart

Early Psychedelic Rock

Electronic Chart

[theblueboy]

Well, rock can be a tricky customer can't it?

Looking at your chart (cool to see Aerosmith high up btw) it seems pretty much geared towards classic rock. (At least high up on your chart) you don't seem to have any of the key bands that directly inspired Radiohead: The Smiths; REM; Pixies; Talking Heads. I'm also not seeing alt. rock touchstones like Bowie, the Velvet Underground or any punk. Nothing wrong with that, of'course. Maybe you just generally favour classic rock over alternative types?

[llibnanoon]

Thanks Blueboy. BTW my chart is a constant work in progress. If you read the notes to my chart, you will see that I am only getting started. Got a ways to go, and those bands you mentioned are in the random mix. Looking forward to hearing stuff from the past I either did not have the taste for a the time or simply overlooked.

My Random Generator brought up the following albums today I am listening to and rating. As you can see below, Pablo Honey came up which sparked this post.

Hollow Bones \ Rival Sons
In Between Dreams \ Jack Johnson
Journeyman \ Eric Clapton
Pablo Honey \ Radiohead
Peter Gabriel IV Security \ Peter Gabriel
Nevermind \ Nirvana

[Spyglass]

If you don't have a taste for alternative yet, then my suggestion would be to start with some alternative albums that have an edge closer to the genres you like. If you like hard rock, I suggest you give early Alter Bridge and Pearl Jam a chance. Also check out The Tea Party.

If you like 70's pop rock / power pop, I recommend The Replacements Teenage Fanclub to help you get into the 80's and 90's.
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Do it yourself and let me play my music: https://www.besteveralbums.com/thechart.php?c=61802

[LedZep]

[Spyglass]

Pixies are a band that someone might easily like if they like The Velvet Underground and Nico. The two are very similar, and TVU&N has a very DIY-aesthetic that influenced much of indie rock.
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Do it yourself and let me play my music: https://www.besteveralbums.com/thechart.php?c=61802