musictalk

Yeah so I figure I’m going to start this blog from what I love most.  Now I know in recent years it has become the band to like, but my love affair with the oxford quintet began, like many, with the release of OK Computer.  I know countless people who have been down since Pablo Honey or before, so I am not claiming that I’ve been there since day one, but I will say that my love for the band has been a constant source of inspiration and insight in my life, to the extent that I am not quite sure many people have this kind of feeling for an artist at all.  Not to say that there are not rabid radiohead fans - just check the atease website - but there is something deep within their music that speaks to the situations and feelings I find myself having. 

All of their albums are amazing and, therefore, worth considerable time and reflection in their individual rights.  But I just wanted to talk, in genreal, on how the band relate to me and why their music is such a dynamic force in my life.  The music itself is pretty broad.  I once had a friend who told me that the problem with radiohead was that they continually paint themselves into a corner, and at times border on self parody.  Sure, their influences are noticable, namely REM, Pixies, Can, Faust, the Smiths, U2, Pink Floyd, the Beatles, Autechre, Aphex Twin, to name a few of the main players.  But to say that allowing ones influences to permeate into much of their own work is narrowing - well it just does not sit well with me.  Music is founded on this concept.  Almost all expression is founded on this concept.  To me, this is of little consequence.  I hear Miles in Coltrane, and the interplay and intensity of the ideas prevalent in their music far exceeds that of radiohead. 

Well then, this is the one thing I hate about the band for which I proclaim so much admiration.  Talking about music is, admittedly, stupid in the first place (which makes me an ass).  But talking about this band always degenerates into how original, instrumental, influential, and blah blah blah blah….. Who cares?  Honestly, I don’t and never will care about if this is or isn’t some ideal that people apparently care about. 

What do I love about this band then?  I love the fact that I know every single word to every song and have never read any lyrics and have no idea, specifically, about what any of the songs are about.  They take me to a place where such divisions and distinctions are absent or inconsequential.  The songs deal with relationships, how people deal with one another, with themselves, with their thoughts, emotions, habbits, dreams - and at once they don’t.  They certainly do not offer anything other than what is presented.  Their is a purity that lies within…. wait, no the music is just pure.  There is no other way of attempting to describe it. 

Anyway,  more talks on radiohead and each album specifically to come in time.  This is but a starting point in the conversation.  More immediately, though, I hope to discuss many of the newer releases of this year.  But first - sleep. 

Leave you with radiohead’s “Reckoner”, West Palm Beach Florida on May 5th 2008….

Trackback URI | Comments RSS