wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

i'm sorry, but T-Pain and R. Kelly hardly represent this decade. Mr. Pain may represent the summer of 2007, and R. Kelly may represent statutory rape, but they hardly qualify as artists of the decade.

I would have preferred someone on the defense who appreciated the post-OK Computer work more. That's were they got good, in my opinion. And they got very good, with music that at its best rivals Bowie in the late 70's and is just as exciting. In Rainbows (along with The Eraser, Thom Yorke's solo album) is the pinnacle of their acheivement so far.

One thing I will say, however, is that when they use horns it is usually dreadful.

I would have preferred you had someone on the defense who had more respect and understanding for the post-OK Computer work. It is only AFTER that album, in my opinion, that they got really good. In Rainbows (along with Thom Yorke's solo album The Eraser) is the pinnacle of their achievement so far. And it is quite an achievement - their best ranks with Bowie in the 70's and is just as exciting.

Most asinine thing I have ever heard on radio and keep in mind, I had listened to Obama's speech prior to hearing this "smackdown" about Radiohead. The two critics should definitely stick to writing, not that their writing is any good, but at least on paper we don't have to hear them think out loud, if you can even call what they were doing "thinking." Completely and totally useless debate about nothing. Thanks for wasting my time.

It's interesting to note that the dislikers/haters fail to provide any evidence that their music is not very good.
The complaints about Thom's voice being whiny are fine on a superficial level but under that thin veneer lies a voice as beautiful as any singer. Plus, why knock them for their lyrics when we face a daily avalanche of inane lyrics in mainstream pop. How many times can someone sing about their baby coming back...
Thom manages to convey many emotions without overtly spelling them out, something that I guess is missed altogether by the casual listener.
In a world where everything is wanted all at once, it's refreshing to find music that needs investment.

Radiohead is a brilliant band. And Thom Yorke is an exceptional musician. I genuinely cannot understand how one could deny the impact that this band has made this decade. You might not like their music and you might not "get it" but come on, Kid A was brilliant. Same with In Rainbows. It changed the way artists sell their music now and in the future. You just can't deny their impact. They're one of the most innovative bands of this decade.

And as far as Thom contributing a song for the "New Moon" soundtrack, people need to get over it. I bet Thom doesn't care one bit. It's not like he's sitting at home in a "Team Edward" shirt. The whole "He's selling out" argument is getting old.

Say what you want to say about Radiohead but they ARE the best band of this decade.

Truly, it would have been nice if either guest could have articulated a single piece of solid evidence to support his or her argument. It underlines the extremely subjective and overemotional nature of the conflict, but still. I couldn't discern one intelligent comment from either of them, and Schaefer seemed rather indifferent to it. It is almost incontrovertible that In Rainbows lacks some of the edge and subversiveness of all previous records, but it does mark a new period in their careers and perhaps it should be analyzed and not dismissed. Yet any actual argument went out the window because these two guests couldn't come out with one straight answer. An aggravating program.

What would Irving Berlin think?

Radiohead is sublime. I've always felt that they were best heard in very good headphones. My first experience was walking around Amsterdam on a cold, gray day with a big cappuccino, a hangover, and Amnesiac blasting in my headphones. I've never looked back.

Unleash the Animal Collective smackdown John. At least Radiohead can play their instruments.

[45] Dave from nyc December 01, 2009 - 02:55PM

"I LOVE avant-rock and I can tell you they are awful."

Oh hoho! I guess that's the end of that then.

Haha, you beat me to it by about a minute. Glad I'm not the only one maddened by that comment.

"Thing is, I have respect for them even though I can't stand their music. They get such good studio sounds, write well, and come up with interesting arrangements. I just don't get transported to anywhere but frustration and loathing when I listen to them"
I have a lot of respect for this comment. By far the most humble, objective and endearing anti comment so far.

I agree with Chris: from a level headed perspective most of the the "anti" camp are coming across badly. Here is an example - "I LOVE avant-rock and I can tell you they are awful". Is that supposed to impress us or something? Comments like this, which are totally lacking in class, do nothing to substantiate your argument or endear people to your way of thinking.

Objectively speaking I would say Radiohead could be the band of the decade if considered holistically. They have achieved success in numerous different fields. I'm sure we can all think of artists that do certain things better than Radiohead can, but is there any band in the world that can do everything Radiohead does as well as they do it? I don't think so. Haha, I think during the course of that I may have persuaded myself into the ProRadiohead camp (of course some credit must go to the alienating effect of obnoxious comments such as the one I just mentioned)

[45] Dave from nyc December 01, 2009 - 02:55PM

"I LOVE avant-rock and I can tell you they are awful."

Oh hoho! I guess that's the end of that then.

[63] Fred G December 01, 2009 - 03:48PM

"Radiohead are a very great band and have released amazing and innovative records like Kid A, Amnesiac, and OK Computer. However a band that has been around since 2000 is far more innovative and creative. They are doing something different and exciting with pop music. The stylistic shifts between their albums make Radiohead's changes seem amateur. This band is ANIMAL COLLECTIVE/PANDA BEAR! The most innovative and forward thinking group of musicians around today. That's right everyone. THE TORCH HAS BEEN PASSED TO ANIMAL COLLECTIVE AND IT IS TIME THAT THEY RECEIVE THE RECOGNITION THEY DESERVE! ANIMAL COLLECTIVE!"

First, you are comparing a pop group to a somewhat avant garde group.

Second, there are FAR more innovative/forward thinking bands than Animal Collective (And Animal Collective happen to be my favorite band, Radiohead my second). And Animal Collective are already one of the most popular/hyped bands on the indie scene.

Third, Radiohead are great.

[53] Peter from Crown Heights December 01, 2009 - 02:57PM

"I have to say, I could take or leave Radiohead. There are a half dozen bands of this past decade from New York City alone that have records as trailblazing as those of Radiohead; Panda Bear and Animal Collective, or the Dirty Projectors for example. Not to mention far more innovative English electronic rock bands like Broadcast.

Radiohead, lovely but not spectacular."

Dirty Projectors? Trailblazing? LOL
And once again, someone is comparing somewhat "avant garde" bands (AC & Broadcast) to Radiohead, who is a POP band.

Boring. A whiny voiced modern "rock" band without the ability or inclination to excite it's listeners.

I once saw a headline that described Radiohead as Punk-Floyd and I couldn't agree more. Never has there been a band that so captured the raw, intense spirit of punk, jazz, electronic, classical, rock, awwww, what the hell? They are simply the band that delivers with every note, song, album and concert. I can't imagine another band (outide of The Beatles) that has been so ridiculously accomplished time and again. Radiohead are so good it's disgusting that others even try at times...

Radiohead are a very great band and have released amazing and innovative records like Kid A, Amnesiac, and OK Computer. However a band that has been around since 2000 is far more innovative and creative. They are doing something different and exciting with pop music. The stylistic shifts between their albums make Radiohead's changes seem amateur. This band is ANIMAL COLLECTIVE/PANDA BEAR! The most innovative and forward thinking group of musicians around today. That's right everyone. THE TORCH HAS BEEN PASSED TO ANIMAL COLLECTIVE AND IT IS TIME THAT THEY RECEIVE THE RECOGNITION THEY DESERVE! ANIMAL COLLECTIVE!

Post #11 "brilliant--classical musicians of our time"...just wondering, do you realize that we actually have millions of classical musicians in our time making authentic classical music--and more than just the one or two things RadioHead tells them to listen to (Arvo Part or Messiaen)? Open your ears!

"Elevator Music backwards!" "hard to interpret!" "Jeff Beck has more talent!" How is one supposed to take any of you seriously!

Just listen to any of the cuts on YouTube of Jeff beck 'live at Ronnie Scott's' and you will see quickly that all of Radiohead's talent would fit easily fit on the end of one of his fingers.

Elevator music backward - I love it! That is a good thing!

Sam Goofus... Don't insult Elevator Music, Man!

Man I have tried. Bought two albums and listened completely through. HARD to even like. To call this the best music ever? Must have been some hypnotic thing going for the kids who didn't get enough lullabys as children.

Radiohead has no personality. Their music lacks any homur what-so-ever. They are stuck in their own heads and the results sounds sort of like they have their heads stuck up their rear-ends.

This guy is a writer!

inscrutable: not expressing anything clearly and thus hard to interpret

I have seen hundreds of shows in my life. Radiohead in the intimate setting of the Tower theater in Philadelphia was by far the best rock show I have seen. On the other hand at the APW festival (which Spin mentions) they sounded washed out, and the power of the music was totally lost.

Part of the appeal of Radiohead is the time frame of their rise in a tough sad decade, they made perfect music. They wrote the book on using electronic sounds and play solid rock music.

I have to say, I could take or leave Radiohead. There are a half dozen bands of this past decade from New York City alone that have records as trailblazing as those of Radiohead; Panda Bear and Animal Collective, or the Dirty Projectors for example. Not to mention far more innovative English electronic rock bands like Broadcast.

Radiohead, lovely but not spectacular.

See... not a smackdown. You should call it the "Tuesday Tea and Music Discussion Show"

boring. boring. boring. i don't understand it at all. also, by saying you don't care what people think is really saying that you care a lot. sorry, rachel i think their piles of money make up for whatever bad thoughts people might have!

CONTRARION:

ok, so yeah yeah yeah, Radiohead is possible the most brilliant band in recent memory, but I have to say that I keep wishing for the kind of groundbreaking, completely NEW thing that OK computer or even Kid A brought. They are obviously amazing musicians, and maybe they are too caught up in the details, to notice the beautiful, but somewhat similarish sound of their recent records. Come on Radiohead, SURPRISE ME.

Agree (1) on the vocal style. Pretty important for me when listening to a musician. I have never been able to listen to Thom Yorke sing without mocking his wind-in-the-caves whiny tenor voice.

You can see it in the picture of him on the Soundcheck page, in fact--he's got his mouth and throat closed, as if he sings from his larynx instead of the diaphragm. It's too bad, because I might enjoy the band as a whole without the distracting vocals.

Having said that, all of my friends, without exception, are gaga for Radiohead.

They should get Robert Christgau on the line--he actually has some spot-on criticisms of the band.
I love them deeply, but how much longer are we going to embrace blippy tunes about alienation?

Stand your ground chris. I like radiohead, used to love them actually. But after a while, I just couldn't take anymore. I challenge anyone to prove that other than creep or karma police, what other RH song gets stuck in your head...

*droning.

It's kind of sad that the only person they could find to speak out against Radiohead is as mealy mouthed as Thom Yorke.

Something even vaguely unusual hits the mainstream and critics go nuts for it--without acknowledging all the great unsung artists they rip off.

I LOVE avant-rock and I can tell you they are awful.

Another BS way for a dieing magazine to garner some publicity and convince people that it's still relevant in the world of pitchfork. The guest was asked to point to an example of his view and he couldn't.

Thank you - so tired of Radiohead. They're not a bad band, just incredibly over-hyped and overrated post-OK Computer. Warbling, tuneless, pretentious and they get further and further from melody or excitement with each new album. Boooooo-ring...

While my attitude towards Radiohead has softened over the last couple of years, my primary criticism of them is really of their rabid fans, who I used to refer to as "Radioheads" (like "Dead Heads"). They are not the best band ever, or even of the decade, but their fan's attitudes rankle me because they won't even allow this idea.

kinda sentimental and pretentious no?

After seeing a photograph of Thom, Ed, and Colin in Starbucks, I lost a lot of respect for this band that seemed like they would never sell out in any way. The photo depicts them holding starbucks cups, laughing like a bunch of Carrie Bradshaws. A total betrayal. And In Rainbows has next to none of the grabbing power of Kid A, Amnesiac, or Hail to the Thief. They turned into true background music, like when they play in starbucks. And on In Rainbows, the drumming is turned way up, but is more repititive and prefabricated-sounding as ever. A great band that turned around on themselves.

Popular, maybe. but since when has good taste prevailed in the majority? Sorry,,, from what I've heard, I turn off the radio and go back to the Eagles, The Byrds, any 60's rock n roll(even doo wop or disco sounds better) I'll listen to any of the Singer Songwriters of the 70's, or the West Coast cool jazz of the 60's, or even Beethoven and Mahler. Now I understand what my father meant when he said we tend to prefer the music of our own generations.

I've thought everything after Pablo Honey was boring. I'm sure there are a few exceptions, but nothing immediately comes to mind. I just don't get why people love them so much. Maybe if I was a musician I could understand their technical brilliance, but I'm not. I can't even listen to them to fall asleep, I get frustrated with the drowning.

O-ver-rated!
clap clap clap-clap-clap
O-ver-rated!
clap clap clap-clap-clap
O-ver-rated!
clap clap clap-clap-clap
O-ver-rated!
clap clap clap-clap-clap

smack!

Also, usually when a band has a good body of work, critics are more likely to give new work a chance, within context.

Why don't we talk about something more representative of this decade... like
R.Kelly or T.Pain?

Boring and pretentious. There is nothing innovative about Radiohead. I am never surprised by anything they do. You mentioned the Beatles. They went places that constantly surprised you. Radiohead never does. I liked Creep all those many years ago but the more recent stuff is like wallpaper. Funny, the two samples you played, one in support of the "they're not very good" and the one defending them don't sound much different. And I'm afraid that the argument being put forth by the Paste person in defense is really not very articulate.

It's kind of sad that the person they found to speak out against Radiohead is as mealy mouthed as Thom Yorke.

Something even vaguely unusual somehow finds its way into the mainstream and the critics go nuts for--without acknowledging the countless great artists that Radiohead rips off.

I have no opinion about Radiohead one way or the other. They don't attract or repulse me. They are just there.

I've always wondered why people were so enamored with Radiohead. They are so "one-note" (no pun). You don't see any progression in their career. Their sound is too monotonous for me. Maybe I just don't get it.

C'mon folks, there's a reason they are as popular as they are.

Radiohead sounds whiney. They come off Emo and are repetitive with their lyrics.

kinda sentimental and pretentious no?

I agree with Chris Norris. Radiohead were a great band, but I've lost interest in them now. If they just want to make music for themselves, like Rachael Maddux says, then why bother releasing it? They used to be innovators; now they're just boring.

Sorry, I bought Kid A when it came out, because of all the hype...but I find Radiohead dreadfully boring. I like classical music, and the harder side of rock and Metal, but probably my allergy to the wimpy Indie Rock aesthetic has something to do with my inability to enjoy them.

They always show up on my techno pandora station, and I find them irritating and droll... except for idioteque or what ever

I like all kind of adventurous music in rock and outside it. I have never "gotten" Radiohead, despite efforts of some to convert me to the cause. I find Yorke's voice annoying and the songs tedious. I can't imagine why anyone would deliberately listen to them. They have to rate as one of the most over-rated groups of this or any decade.

Next to U2, Radiohead are still kicking it. Coming from different corners of the rock/music world, they both contribute and stretch the limits of music and performance.

Though, with regard to where they go now? Form the sound of that latest track concerning the last WW1 survivor - just listen. They've still got it.

god, they are just BORING!!

why is everyone so deluded?

they are BORES!

ok... I can't take it... They are pretentious, fey, overwrought, super white, soulless, bland and melodramatic. They may have been a meaningful band in the 90s but not this decade.

Radiohead are the Emerson, Lake, and Palmer of the future. All orchestrated purity and dreamy, creamy ear candy.
This ain't rock & roll, this is elevator music backwards!

Please find another adjective besides brilliant! Pseudo-anglophiles...!

i usually listen to radiohead on long road trips on americas dark highways and they make me feel like im on something, meaning drugs,.
radiohead has been able, through their music, to take you to a place and mood at the press of the play button. that is special.

Ugghhh... once again not a real smackdown.

Like any great band, they have the capacity to be both. Most importantly, they don't let their ideas get stale and, yes, always put on a stunning live show that further explores their ideas. They continue to grow.

Radiohead is brilliant. To follow up one of the greatest rock albums (OK Computer) with Kid A was one of the ballsiest moves by a band. EVER. My only criticism is that Thom Yorke needs to open his mouth and ENUNCIATE, he has a beautiful voice but swallows his words too much.

I wish Soundcheck would have aired this segment first rather than the terd-Dylan-wannabe that performed live. Such torture !!

I fell for Radiohead in 1996 with The Bends. Since then I have discovered tons of new music/bands as I followed their journey into new musical genres. Their live shows are full of energy and if they come off a little pretentious who cares...I would love a return to the guitar rock album from them but they have earned the right to do what they want.

'In Rainbows' came out during the fall of my senior year of high school. My brother and I listened to it every day, on the drive to and from school. From the day it was released to the last day of school in June, the album played on a continuous loop in my brother's car. If that's not a testament to the band's enduring creativity and innovative musicianship, I don't know what is.

Nobody has even mentioned Radiohead's relationship with the BBC and Johnny Greenwood's contribution to serious Avant-Garde "classical music" with some of his scores that were used in the soundtrack of There Will Be Blood. Music that offered a soundscape just as evocative as Arvo Part's piece. I don't like popular music much. Mostly I listen to jazz, classical, artists on the ECM label, and world music, and, frankly Radiohead is the only mainstreamish band that is interesting to me. They are dreamy, beautiful, profound, and poetic. I heard that David Bowie said they were the greatest band ever... I wonder if this is true.

so brilliant, they're boring.

Radiohead are brilliant - Classical musicians of our time -

John, I suppose you can always find someone to dismiss any artist no matter how great. I used to live in London and there were often people who called into the BBC to make comments to the effect that they thought the Beatles were awful. So why should Radiohead be exempt. I think they're pretty great personally.

I've been listening to Radiohead every week for 14 years and have never had to switch them off through sheer repetiton/boredom.
In 38 years of discovering music, no-one has come close to bringing the sheer joy that can be gleaned from knowing their songs so well and yet being still able to experience something new. The sheer variety of their output is mind-boggling.
It's easy to dismiss such devotion as that of a lunatic but that doesn't change anything in the head of the listener.
Maybe one day the magic will wear off but somehow I doubt it, and especially as some of the recent songs are right up there with their/Thom's best work.
In time, their catalogue will attract even more admirers for the same reasons that the beatles have remained with us all these years.

HATER! That's me! I can't stand Thom's whiny voice - either with Radiohead, or his solo stuff. It incites me to violence. Then there's the supposed trailblazing of offering their album as a pay-what-you-wish download. Can't the learned masses just shut up about Radiohead already? Thing is, I have respect for them even though I can't stand their music. They get such good studio sounds, write well, and come up with interesting arrangements. I just don't get transported to anywhere but frustration and loathing when I listen to them. Starting with "Creep."

Josh and Amy pretty much summed it up! Absolutely brilliant, and even if the music is not to one's taste, the quality is most certainly present...

Brilliant. They continue to challenge themselves and the boundaries of traditional "rock." They continue to create new sounds while still not sounding like anyone else. Individually, they are all amazing musicians with divergent interests, which somehow they bring together into an amazing, coherent whole within the scope of the band. They also have unbelievable crossover power - the jocks love them as much as the hipsters - and yet they manage to retain their cred. You can also listen to the same song a million times (which, believe me, I have) and still get a different experience from it each time you hear it. Oh, and did I say they were brilliant?

It’s the countless bands who are derivative of Radiohead that blow not Radiohead.(ahem)

They have the best and most innovative album(Kid A), arguably the most beautiful song (How to disappear completely) and have consistently put on the best shows (with different set lists every night by the way) through out the past 10 year. They are the best band since the Beatles. They also have revolutionized the way albums are sold with in Rainbows, and are the first band to be serious about global warming while touring by doing a lot of things to offset their carbon footprint. They are clearly the best band of the last 20 years and it is not even close.

Kid A / Amnesiac / HTTT / In Rainbows released in this decade. Idioteque, Everything in It's Right Place, Pyramid Song, A Wolf at the Door and Reckoner. Classics. Nuff said.

Radiohead is one of the best bands in the world, thats right. Even after two decades they still different from almost everyone out there and even so you recognize a Radiohead song when you hear one. They changed trough time (hello Green Day! U2? can you do the same? I guess not...), they developed their sound, their shows are really well done and performed, their songs are great. What more can you ask for?

Brilliant. Anyone who has been in one of their shows knows they are the best band in the world. They are unafraid to play good music, to try, to experiment and Thom Yorke is charismatic and innovative. If there is one great band now, it is Radiohead.