I used to really really love Radiohead. “OK Computer” was magical.
However, something happened after “Amnesiac” and I just couldn’t get into it anymore. I simply didn’t GET it. It was heavily electronic and slow and in retrospect the issue was probably me… but I didn’t really realize it.
Recently on a whim I listened to Thom Yorke’s side project “The Smile”.
It hit just right. It had the same slow electronic sensibilities that later Radiohead albums had, but this time… I dug it. I watched a few videos of Thom and crew doing The Smile live. I recommend this one in particular:
At any rate, this led me to decide to give newer Radiohead a chance again. After all it was now 20 years later. Maybe a few decades of perspective would sweeten the sound.
I was pleasantly surprised to admit to myself (as I listened to “A Moon Shaped Pool”) that what I had once dismissed was now nestled in my brain and taking hold there.
Where once I heard “not Creep” and “not Ok Computer” now I was hearing the band as a unit again. I chastised myself for dismissing for so long what are some great albums.
While I do think the cover of “A Moon Shaped Pool” is a little deserving of the commentary it received, I can say with conviction now that the music is great.
So I started buying the vinyl.
“A Moon Shaped Pool” is on the way, and I just need “The Bends” and “In Rainbows”.
Also putting solo Thom Yorke on my list.
I can only say that in my old age I am willing to listen to things that once didn’t cut it for me, allowing that maybe I have changed. I’m not saying that I’ve given up on rock and that I am now in my soft years, but that I can now appreciate a wider range of music that once I would have (did) dismiss.
Sorry guys. I owe you guys an apology.
The Aural Retentive 