Radiohead
October 1, 2007 2:13 AM   Subscribe

The new Radiohead album is now available for pre-order from the band's website. How much for the download version you ask? Name your own price.
posted by gfrobe (199 comments total) 6 users marked this as a favorite
 
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:15 AM on October 1, 2007


James Brown is still dead!
James Brown is still dead!
James Brown is still dead!
James Brown is still dead!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:16 AM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


Drops trou.
Strains.
Delivers large dump in thread.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 2:16 AM on October 1, 2007


See here.
posted by dash_slot- at 2:17 AM on October 1, 2007


Starts smearing shit on self.

"You want me, mods? You're gonna have to come get me!"
posted by PeterMcDermott at 2:25 AM on October 1, 2007


gfrobe, see also.
And also.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:27 AM on October 1, 2007


PeterMcD. please note 'rule 34'. Are you sure you wann be doin' that?
posted by From Bklyn at 2:31 AM on October 1, 2007


RADIOHEAD IS RELEASING AN ALBUM?!?!?!?!?!!!!!?!?7?
posted by blacklite at 2:32 AM on October 1, 2007


This is why we can never have good things.
posted by blacklite at 2:33 AM on October 1, 2007 [3 favorites]


Damn, I did do a search but I guess deleted threads don't come up in searches.

I throw myself upon the mercy of the shit post call out squad for as long as this thread lasts.
posted by gfrobe at 2:37 AM on October 1, 2007


Should we do anything useful with this thread while it's open?

Maybe we could mention some other artists.
posted by blacklite at 2:39 AM on October 1, 2007


Listen, I say this shouldn't get deleted this time. The earlier post that all of these are supposedly dupes of was about a hoax website. The topic of these posts is mostly the new distribution model (not just the existence of the album per se). A top-tier band releasing a record as a DRM-free download with optional payment is major news--front page on Digg and Reddit, page-long post on BoingBoing. It's not diminished enough by the fact that someone made a now-buried FPP 3 days ago saying there was an album coming before the real hook was known.
posted by abcde at 2:40 AM on October 1, 2007 [12 favorites]


front page on Digg and Reddit, page-long post on BoingBoing

My god, it must be almost as important as a USB-powered sausage maker.
posted by cillit bang at 2:43 AM on October 1, 2007 [16 favorites]


Ah, but generally it takes an exceptionally interesting lame gaddget (e.g., MeFi material) to score all three.
posted by abcde at 2:44 AM on October 1, 2007


Their new music video is on youtube. But maybe it needs its own fpp.
posted by Citizen Premier at 2:46 AM on October 1, 2007 [5 favorites]


Maybe we could mention some other artists.

Other bands with the word "head" in the name? Okay!

African Head Charge
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:52 AM on October 1, 2007


Talking Heads
Les Têtes Brûlées
Tackhead
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:57 AM on October 1, 2007


Mick Head (The Pale Fountains, Shack, The Strands) is pretty underrated, I think. So even though he isn't a band with the word "head" in the name, I'll mention him.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 2:59 AM on October 1, 2007


Sihead O'Connor
posted by Flashman at 3:00 AM on October 1, 2007


oh, Shinehead
posted by Flashman at 3:00 AM on October 1, 2007


Fuck, that's good, Citizen Premier. That's the first release of theirs where they've really stepped out of Boards Of Canada's shadows with their electronics, not to mention their subtle but incredibly listenable subverting of current electro-house and nu-rave trends. I also can't get over they way Yorke's voice simultaneously sounds more powerful, more controlled, and yet more vulnerable than anything on Eraser. And the dancing? Who'd've thought?
posted by Jon Mitchell at 3:01 AM on October 1, 2007 [3 favorites]


Bedhead. They're like a slow Radiohead with the added bonus of not having to deal with that creepy lazy eye.
posted by mnsc at 3:12 AM on October 1, 2007


Everybody tell that story about that time you got totally messed up on drugs and listened to OK Computer then saw the face of God.
posted by GavinR at 3:14 AM on October 1, 2007


Pyramid termite isn't in here yet! Let me try this again:

Radiohead? Those guys totally ripped off Interpol, and Thom Yorke sounds exactly like the lead singer of Muse.
posted by Anonymous at 3:15 AM on October 1, 2007


In this thread.
posted by Eideteker at 3:16 AM on October 1, 2007


How 'bout other bands with the word "radio" in the name?

I can only think of one, off the top of my head:

TV on the Radio.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:17 AM on October 1, 2007




From Bklyn writes 'PeterMcD. please note "rule 34". Are you sure you wann be doin" that?'

This is me in this thread. Come and get me, coppers!
posted by PeterMcDermott at 3:27 AM on October 1, 2007


Head Bands
posted by punishinglemur at 3:28 AM on October 1, 2007


I will take my grudge against you to the grave, bhance.
posted by punishinglemur at 3:29 AM on October 1, 2007


We have cameras! Radiohead!
posted by Effigy2000 at 3:32 AM on October 1, 2007


Anyone else remember Head of David? African Head Charge were fucking ace, too. Good call flapjax.
posted by Abiezer at 3:34 AM on October 1, 2007


I thought you were channelling Jimmy Boyle in "Sense of Freedom" there, PeterMcD. Scotland's hardest bastard, no contest!
posted by Abiezer at 3:36 AM on October 1, 2007


radiohead farted? i thought i smelt self-importance wafting thru the aether.
posted by Hat Maui at 3:46 AM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


I just couldn't find a picture of Jimmy Boyle in full scat drag, Abiezer.

I met him once, a few years ago, along with Maxwell Jones, the man who invented the Therapeutic Community. Sadly, he was a sculptor by that point. Nice man though.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 3:46 AM on October 1, 2007


I read this kiss-and-tell from a (self-claimed, at least) former lover of his not so long back. Quite the life our Jimmy led.
posted by Abiezer at 3:51 AM on October 1, 2007


Coincidentally, it was an ex-prostitute who introduced us. That Horsley book looks worth a read -- though I think I'll wait for the paperback.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 4:05 AM on October 1, 2007


Yes, looks good - I only meant I'd read that review, not Horsley's book yet.
posted by Abiezer at 4:11 AM on October 1, 2007


What fresh hell is this?
posted by psmealey at 4:14 AM on October 1, 2007




This is the new.
posted by melorama at 4:29 AM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


How many Radio Head new album threads does this make?
posted by caddis at 4:40 AM on October 1, 2007


Portishead never ever have a new album!
posted by Jilder at 4:44 AM on October 1, 2007


Portishead never ever have a new album!

They've been having a little trouble with a few nasty loop-points here and there. Nothing a few more year's work shouldn't be able to fix, though.

Also, their DJ is trying real hard to learn how to scratch.

That NY performance with strings and all was damn good, though. I would like to hear something new from them.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:50 AM on October 1, 2007


How 'bout other bands with the word "radio" in the name? I can only think of one, off the top of my head:

Radio Birdman
State Radio
Radio 4
The Radio Dept.
Radio Citizen
Ooh! There's more!
posted by dhartung at 5:04 AM on October 1, 2007


This thread is now about Primitive Radio Gods.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 5:05 AM on October 1, 2007


flapjax at midnite: How 'bout other bands with the word "radio" in the name?

Radio Dept.
posted by Kattullus at 5:07 AM on October 1, 2007


blerg... I preview, but I can't read.
posted by Kattullus at 5:07 AM on October 1, 2007


The sound you're hearing is me slapping my forehead.
posted by sparkletone at 5:08 AM on October 1, 2007


Pyramid termite isn't in here yet! Let me try this again:

THIS TIME! You win!

Rainbows and unicorns for everyone!!!
posted by sparkletone at 5:08 AM on October 1, 2007




Your name is not "Luna" is it?
posted by The Deej at 5:11 AM on October 1, 2007




First!
posted by Joseph Gurl at 5:23 AM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


Birdman.
posted by Wolof at 5:24 AM on October 1, 2007


Yes, looks good - I only meant I'd read that review, not Horsley's book yet.

I understood you -- but now I not only want to read the Horsley book, but also Terence Blacker's biography of William Donaldson that Amazon are recommending with it.

Damn you Metafilter, for playing havoc with my book budget!
posted by PeterMcDermott at 5:27 AM on October 1, 2007


-What, no unicorns?
-The page keeps telling me that my basket is empty. Then I add it again and it tells me I can only have one download. What's up with that?

Also:

-Does summer come for everyone?
-Can humans do what prophets say?
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 5:31 AM on October 1, 2007


Hopefully Radiohead will get Shatner to do some ads for them.
posted by rfs at 5:33 AM on October 1, 2007


You know, I didn't see this in the other threads, so I'll do it here:

YOUR FAVOURITE BAND SUCKS.
posted by pompomtom at 5:41 AM on October 1, 2007


OK COMPUTER, I've had about enough of these new Radiohead album posts on MeFi.

At least we can look forward to them ending with the now overdue robot uprising.
posted by Muddler at 5:44 AM on October 1, 2007


Similar to some of the [link to CNN]Someone's dead[/link]! posts we see, I was hoping there would be a Radiohead post that wasn't just a link to their website or the album's website maybe instead talking about why it's interesting that they set this pricing model, or the fact that the album by a pretty popular band is releasing it without a label and without itunes or even a link to freaking Pitchfork for people that are like "this radiohead, do I need a radio to understand this?" etc etc. However, this link to radiohead.com is what you get. Please enjoy your radiohead.
posted by jessamyn at 5:46 AM on October 1, 2007 [13 favorites]


See folks. The dirty protest WORKS!
posted by PeterMcDermott at 5:55 AM on October 1, 2007


Shit-stirrer!
posted by Abiezer at 5:56 AM on October 1, 2007




*hands PeterMcDermott a baby wipe*
posted by chuckdarwin at 5:59 AM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


Rest of Web!
posted by Tommy Gnosis at 5:59 AM on October 1, 2007


...talking about why it's interesting that they set this pricing model

Because they don't really care about money? I'm sure their mortgages are all paid in full.

...or the fact that the album by a pretty popular band is releasing it without a label

Because they're smart enough to know that, for a band in their position in 2007, a label is completely unnecessary and redundant? Frank Zappa and his wife Gail introduced this idea years ago, btw.

...and without itunes

Because they probably disagree with some of iTunes' business practices? Yorke and co disagree with most business practices across the board, IIRC.

(they have been linked to Naomi Klein, so I'll just thow that link in there, as well)
posted by chuckdarwin at 6:07 AM on October 1, 2007


chuckdarwin, while the clapping on 15 Step is interesting, it needs more cowbell.
posted by Muddler at 6:08 AM on October 1, 2007


while the clapping on 15 Step is interesting, it needs more cowbell.

Maybe the cowbell just needs a clapper. Either that, or they should step up to the Rad Monkey.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:30 AM on October 1, 2007


front page on Digg and Reddit, page-long post on BoingBoing

I do not ever visit, read, or subscribe to any of these sites. I only go to them if someone links me to them. I had not heard about Radiohead's new album except for the Front Page Posts. If it had been left to being put into that older thread I would not have heard about it for a while.

So thank you gfrobe.

And to all the haters and the style pedants, y'all can kiss my ass, cuz it's Radiohead, man!
posted by chlorus at 6:34 AM on October 1, 2007


The site seems to be down anyway.
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:35 AM on October 1, 2007


I like turtles.
posted by miss lynnster at 6:41 AM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


Naomi Klein has a new album out. But it's printed on paper. And you have to buy it. In bookstores. And you can't get her annoying voice out of your head.
posted by KokuRyu at 6:42 AM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


Aww. All that thread-pooping, but not the delicious post deletion needed to seal the deal. I feel used.

Let's take the other tack on the death-of-the-music-industry thing:

I'm well aware that lots of smallish bands are doing this sort of thing regularly now. However, I'm wondering how many people will actually not start heading this direction.

Some acts just need the promotional muscle a label can provide, y'know? Not that they necessarily need a huge label, but it seems like going label-less might not be for everyone.
posted by sparkletone at 6:42 AM on October 1, 2007


But the Turtles haven't made a new album in years, miss lynnster.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:45 AM on October 1, 2007


This is still here? Did gfrobe threaten to paint jessamyn in gold paint?
posted by Terminal Verbosity at 6:47 AM on October 1, 2007


Did gfrobe threaten to paint jessamyn in gold paint?

Or blackface?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:50 AM on October 1, 2007




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I hope you can see this because
I'm doing it as hard as I can.
posted by wfrgms at 6:56 AM on October 1, 2007 [15 favorites]


I feel used.

How do you think I feel? I hate Radiohead, but I was just reading elsewhere about how protesting naked on stilts doesn't work any more, so I thought I'd try something a bit different. Now I'm sitting here, all covered in poop.

If I'd genuinely thought it would work, I'd have saved it for something that's truly the best of the web.

Another Drinkie Schwartz post, perhaps.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:56 AM on October 1, 2007


Also: Tonto's Expanding Head Band
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:00 AM on October 1, 2007


This is still here? Did gfrobe threaten to paint jessamyn in gold paint?

Maybe she fell down some stairs? Someone should go and check.
posted by Jilder at 7:06 AM on October 1, 2007


Need further proof that Matt Drudge is a dick? Headline on his page reads "Website Crashes From Traffic Overload..." Clicking on that headline takes you directly to the overloaded site.




I pre-orderd the download but the site was so buggy, especially the cart/basket, that I'm not sure it went through.
posted by mds35 at 7:18 AM on October 1, 2007


Maybe she fell down some stairs? Someone should go and check.

You could try maybe reading the thread?
posted by sparkletone at 7:23 AM on October 1, 2007


I got distracted by all the poo. My mistake.
posted by Jilder at 7:24 AM on October 1, 2007


This thread is still open!
posted by Reggie Digest at 7:31 AM on October 1, 2007


I'm afraid to flag it because then it might be taken away.
posted by Eideteker at 7:31 AM on October 1, 2007


Good plan. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
posted by Reggie Digest at 7:34 AM on October 1, 2007


NME is staffed by some sort of super detective. This neo-Holmes has discovered how to search YouTube.

I mean. I know NME is shitty and all, but their batch of stories on the radiohead album is shitty even by their standards.
posted by sparkletone at 7:43 AM on October 1, 2007


Next thing you know, they'll have a list of the top 10 most outrageous music videos of all time.
posted by Reggie Digest at 7:46 AM on October 1, 2007


Believe it or not, this post is the first I'd heard about the pricing model, but yeah, it could have used a few more links.

Most importantly, has anyone downloaded it yet? (Yes, I know it's not "out" until 12/3 ...) and can I download it yet?
posted by mrgrimm at 7:55 AM on October 1, 2007


There are two other radiohead album posts in the deleted message queue. How much are you getting for this shill, gfrobe?
posted by Dave Faris at 7:55 AM on October 1, 2007


*funny picture of a leprechaun riding a unicorn, except the unicorn's horn is a bong*
posted by hellbient at 7:56 AM on October 1, 2007


I love the understated headline on Pitchfork right now: "NEW RADIOHEAD ALBUM AAAAAAAHHH!!!"

Oh, and:

Blonde Redhead
(and since I got here before jonmc) Diamond Head
posted by gwint at 8:02 AM on October 1, 2007


There is always just The Heads (post Talking Heads one album band).
H.E.A.D
posted by edgeways at 8:15 AM on October 1, 2007


Jonmc is probably boycotting the thread.
Here, let me channel him:
"Is this something I'd need to be an asshole to understand? Whippersnappers."
posted by mek at 8:16 AM on October 1, 2007 [3 favorites]


Yeah, bands that huge really don't need the promotion mechanisms provided by record labels. Or the advance to record the album.

Collective Soul did a similar thing. They realized they had a dedicated audience that would buy there records no matter what. So they left their label, eschewing the bureaucracy and in the process, remove the number of people receiving percentages of their record sales.

It's a pretty easy formula. Let's do an example with some random numbers.

Let's say with a label, I can sell one million records. However, I only make 2 dollars on each record sold. 2 million in pocket.

Let's say I make the record without a label. I sell half as many copies (which Radiohead will probably sell many more), but I make 5 dollars per album. 2.5 million in pocket.

Of course, with this new pricing model, it's a different situation for Radiohead. I suppose they really just don't need the money, and are tired of the failing business model of the RIAA, a la Trent Reznor.

Either way, more power to them. I'll be listening.
posted by lazaruslong at 8:21 AM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


WAHT BNAD ARE YHOU IN???1111??
posted by RDNZL at 8:26 AM on October 1, 2007


Thanks to Jessamyn for completely missing the point of the last 2 threads and canning them reflexively (even though they had virtually nothing to do with the "original" except by coincidence) leading everyone to believe that THIS thread had an infinitesimal shelf-life, leading thence to PeterMcDermott going all rule 34 on us, an incredible amount of noise, and Rickrolls as far as the eye can see.

Why are you letting this thread live when it was already doomed after you killed 2 other perfectly decent posts?
posted by chimaera at 8:26 AM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


Collective Soul did a similar thing. They realized they had a dedicated audience that would buy there records no matter what.

And by "realized," you surely mean "hallucinated"?
posted by kittens for breakfast at 8:33 AM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


leading thence to PeterMcDermott going all rule 34 on us

Not Rule 34, Rule 43. Segregated from you other prisoners for my own protection.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:51 AM on October 1, 2007


Jesus, talk about putting boiling water on the ants.
posted by hermitosis at 8:53 AM on October 1, 2007


Jesus, talk about putting boiling water on the ants.

Frozen winter shit seems maybe a better visual for the thread (many of my posts included, since like everyone else, I assumed this one would be deleted like the other two since jessamyn seemed to want us to take it to the hoax-site thread).
posted by sparkletone at 8:56 AM on October 1, 2007


I'm picking up something good.
posted by Eideteker at 9:00 AM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


How much are you getting for this shill, gfrobe

From the looks of this thread not enough I'd say.

In my defense, I never saw those deleted threads and they didn't show up when I did a search. As for additional links, yeah, I guess I could have added a few and actually considered it but then thought that adding links to other pages that simply reiterated that the band were letting consumers choose their own price seemed a bit unnecessary as I already stated that in the post.

I simply thought that a band of this stature letting people name their own price for the new album was pretty interesting and worthy of discussion. Instead it brought on one helluva shit storm and since the mods have decided to let this thread stay I now get to bask in this shit for all of internet eternity. Excellent way to start the week!
posted by gfrobe at 9:03 AM on October 1, 2007


Oh, rad idea!
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:09 AM on October 1, 2007 [2 favorites]


I simply thought that a band of this stature letting people name their own price for the new album was pretty interesting and worthy of discussion.

Actually, it is. But even in the two deleted threads, things didn't seem to be heading that way.

No one knows yet what the file format and quality of the download will be, and I think that'd affect a lot of people's price calculations when deciding how to donate.

There aren't really any news stories about industry reaction yet except for a piece-of-shit NME blurb.

The shit storm's not really your fault. Under normal circumstances you'd have caught some flack for a weakish, one-link post, but the storm's really due to moderator vacillation.

Life will go on.

And we'll get to do it all again on the 10th as the album actually starts getting out to people!
posted by sparkletone at 9:10 AM on October 1, 2007


Anyone else notice Thom Yorke's comment on the NME blog?
posted by eustacescrubb at 9:22 AM on October 1, 2007


We have no way of know that Thom wrote that (other than the fact that he also doesn't use the shift key).
posted by chuckdarwin at 9:27 AM on October 1, 2007


It seems unlikely that that's actually Thom. Members of radiohead do occasionally post on radiohead.com's odd, intentionally-ephemeral message board, but I can't recall hearing of them popping up anywhere else (though Nigel is a member of At Ease).

For one thing, every word is spelled correctly! Therefore, it can't be Thom.
posted by sparkletone at 9:46 AM on October 1, 2007


Incidentally when the inrainbows.com site first came up it was done in Flash and the colors in the background were a video and moved like liquid. They switched to a lo-fi version within a couple hours, presumably when the traffic started picking up, but that should help you visualize why the background looks like it does.
posted by abcde at 9:51 AM on October 1, 2007




That picture of Thom is an oldish one, but he looks kinda adorable on his scraper bike.
posted by sparkletone at 10:04 AM on October 1, 2007


That does it, i'm officially focusing my fanboy energies into anticipating the new REM record instead.

It will be out sooner anyway.
posted by ELF Radio at 10:14 AM on October 1, 2007


HOLY SHIT, HERE'S THE FIRST VIDEO!!

Why are you letting this thread live when it was already doomed after you killed 2 other perfectly decent posts?

it's special - so fuckin' special
posted by pyramid termite at 10:17 AM on October 1, 2007


Again? Again? Again?

"A top-tier band releasing a record as a DRM-free download with optional payment is major news--front page on Digg and Reddit, page-long post on BoingBoing."

SO GO THERE!

DID YOU KNOW THAT RADIOHEAD CONSUMES CALORIES AND EXCRETES WASTE! IT'S FOR REAL! NO BAND AS IMPORTANT AS RADIOHEAD HAS EVER ATE AND SHAT BEFORE!
posted by klangklangston at 10:17 AM on October 1, 2007


Again? Again? Again?

You too appear to have skipped Jessamyn's post above.

HURF DURF READING GETS IN WAY OF SNARK.
posted by sparkletone at 10:28 AM on October 1, 2007


IMO, anyone who is interested in the subject should favorite jessamyn's comment - relatively, it's a far better post that actually provides a bare minimum of content, compared to the other posts, which were the MeFi equivalent of street team flyers, squatted out by people who are presumably far bigger Radiohead fans than she. I don't care who or what it is - if Jesus was coming back, I'd expect more than just a link to his blog entry that said "BRB".

Also, I'd like to announce the opening of the "How Many Deleted Announcement FPPs Are There Going To Be When The Fricken Record Is Actually Released?" Pool!

I'm going with four!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:45 AM on October 1, 2007


Rollingstone says they are in fact doing a deal that will see a CD version of the album in stores next year. No word on whether that release will be just the album proper, or whether it will include the bonus tracks.
posted by sparkletone at 10:48 AM on October 1, 2007


The Mommyheads. Binghams Hole is a fucking fantastic album.
posted by Devils Rancher at 10:54 AM on October 1, 2007


"You too appear to have skipped Jessamyn's post above.

HURF DURF READING GETS IN WAY OF SNARK."

No, I didn't. That there could have been a good post about this (I guess) does not mean that this is that good post, or that there's anything to talk about.

Your fandom gets in the way of your critical thinking.
posted by klangklangston at 11:10 AM on October 1, 2007


Metafilter: if Jesus was coming back, I'd expect more than just a link to his blog entry that said "BRB".
posted by psmealey at 11:10 AM on October 1, 2007


I still hate Radiohead.
posted by jonmc at 11:21 AM on October 1, 2007


You guys are all jerks. I found the real video.
posted by mrgrimm at 11:24 AM on October 1, 2007


Your fandom gets in the way of your critical thinking.

Maybe.

In this case, I read, "Again? Again? Again?" as an expression of surprise that another thread had been created and had lasted this long (like several people above who clearly skipped over Jessamyn's, "Fine, if this is the radiohead thread you want, enjoy.")

In the future, I will assume you are a reader.

In the future, I'll be laughing when you do better than the calories/shit comment (I mean, come on. You did better than that in threads that got deleted!).
posted by sparkletone at 11:25 AM on October 1, 2007


wait, has jessamyn seen this yet?






snarft
posted by From Bklyn at 11:45 AM on October 1, 2007


"In the future, I'll be laughing when you do better than the calories/shit comment (I mean, come on. You did better than that in threads that got deleted!)."

I know. Hence the "again?" I already shot my snarkwad! I need a little vitamins to be able to effectively mock the Radiohead undead again!
posted by klangklangston at 11:46 AM on October 1, 2007


wait, has jessamyn seen this yet?

Clearly the only way to make sure is for as many of us as possible to flag the shit out of everything in sight.
posted by sparkletone at 11:51 AM on October 1, 2007


I need a little vitamins to be able to effectively mock the Radiohead undead again!

There's an awful joke about radiohead fans providing enough for you to have several protein shakes in here somewhere, but I'm in too much of a post-lunch food coma to dig it out.
posted by sparkletone at 12:00 PM on October 1, 2007


My point exactly is that Jessamyn's comment ("if this is the radiohead thread you want, enjoy" paraphrased) is misguided, as the thread was already filling up with garbage long before she posted.

She killed 2 threads, the first of which had very little noise going on (and yes, they were mediocre one-link threads, but still valid), and didn't delete the one that was already a steaming pile before she even dropped in her comment. I detect a hint of passive-aggressiveness in that particular tactic.
posted by chimaera at 12:16 PM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


I still hate Radiohead.

Yeah, we get it. KISS good, radiohead bad. Check.
Emperor Joseph II: My dear young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect.
Mozart: Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?
posted by chuckdarwin at 12:31 PM on October 1, 2007


Yeah, we get it. KISS good, radiohead bad. Check.

Now you're catching on.

When they come out with a Thom Yorke action figure, gimme a call.
posted by jonmc at 12:41 PM on October 1, 2007


(and the Mozart quote shows that when it comes to rock and roll, you don't get it)
posted by jonmc at 12:42 PM on October 1, 2007


Radiohead sings the Pepsi blues.
posted by Cranberry at 12:48 PM on October 1, 2007


Side note: if gfrobe really painted jessamyn gold, can we have pictures?
posted by Cranberry at 12:49 PM on October 1, 2007


Side note: if gfrobe really painted jessamyn gold, can we have pictures?

First thing that popped into my head:

cortex: Do you expect me to post?
mathowie: No-ho-oh, Mr. Cortex. I expect you to die.

Ow.
posted by sparkletone at 12:54 PM on October 1, 2007


(and the Mozart quote shows that when it comes to rock and roll, you don't get it)

Indeed. Rock can't have too many notes. Cf: Um... Dream Theater?

(I can make a guess as to what chuckdarwin was getting at with the Amadeus quote, but I could use some explication of your response, as I am not a jonmc devotee.)
posted by sparkletone at 1:05 PM on October 1, 2007


sparkletone: I'm guessing he was implying that I was some sort of dunderhead for not liking Radiohead much, that he thinks it's because they're too'complex' or 'refined' for me. When to me, rock and roll has always been about saying 'screw you' to refinement in the first place.
posted by jonmc at 1:10 PM on October 1, 2007


At first, yes. But rock has grown up and can now be complex and refined. Shit, even hip hop, rap and ska have grown up enough now that simply saying, "Well fuck you, dude!" isn't sufficient. I'm not down with the kids enough to know which musical genre is currently sticking it to the man, but I guarantee I don't like it.
posted by Terminal Verbosity at 1:18 PM on October 1, 2007


But rock has grown up and can now be complex and refined.

Perhaps, but there comes a point where you get so complex and refined that you lose touch with the primitive, primal power that makes rock what it is, and...you're no longer rock and roll anymore. Coldplay, radiohead et al reached that point a long time ago.
posted by jonmc at 1:21 PM on October 1, 2007


When to me, rock and roll has always been about saying 'screw you' to refinement in the first place.

On a certain level, sure. But there's always been a little bit of reaching for a certain kind of refinement. The first thing that leaps to my mind is the Rolling Stones using the London Bach Choir.

For the record: I am deeply in love with the band's music, and know more than is probably healthy about them. However, they're not a sacred cow. They have senses of humor. That some of their fans don't is unfortunate, but that's not limited to radiohead. Claymates, I'm looking at you.

If you can mock them, and it's funny, I laugh. If you mock them poorly, my issue is that your joke wasn't funny. If you're meh to their whole enterprise, that's fine. That's one less person I have to out-luck to get decent seats at a show!

posted by sparkletone at 1:42 PM on October 1, 2007


But rock has grown up and can now be complex and refined.

That's what they said about the dreadful Emerson, Lake and Palmer in the early 70s.
posted by psmealey at 1:44 PM on October 1, 2007 [2 favorites]


Coldplay, radiohead et al reached that point a long time ago.

Dude... lumping Coldplay with Radiohead is just asking for trouble. But you probably knew that. :-)

Yes, I am an unashamed fan and I would do Thom in a New York minute.
posted by idest at 1:45 PM on October 1, 2007


sparkletone, idest:

the bands I link to in this Mecha Post are what come to mind when I think 'rock and roll.' We need them a lot more than we need more intellectualized sob-sister music.

or as wiser men than me put it... (one of those bobbing heads in the audience is probably me)
posted by jonmc at 1:49 PM on October 1, 2007


Bah. Doesn't work.
posted by Artw at 1:50 PM on October 1, 2007


So, Jessamyn has seen this?







holy shi-snarft...
posted by From Bklyn at 1:54 PM on October 1, 2007


the bands I link to in this Mecha Post are what come to mind when I think 'rock and roll.'

I had the pleasure of seeing the Bellrays open for the Pixies once. That was a seriously ass-kicking night.

We need them a lot more than we need more intellectualized sob-sister music.

Where as I, of course, would say we need both because they speak to different emotional states/aspects of human condition/whatever pretentious bullshit goes here.
posted by sparkletone at 2:00 PM on October 1, 2007


I've never been the biggest Radiohead fan myself, but I will admit that "Paranoid Android" is three pretty good songs.
posted by psmealey at 2:06 PM on October 1, 2007


I had the pleasure of seeing the Bellrays open for the Pixies once. That was a seriously ass-kicking night.

I saw them solo about a year ago. Why they aren't the biggest band in the world is a mystery.
posted by jonmc at 2:15 PM on October 1, 2007


I will admit that "Paranoid Android" is three pretty good songs.

True fact: If you're joking, uh, it is actually three song-parts just stitched together more or less because they couldn't think of anything else and (IIRC) Nigel Godrich thought that was worth a shot.

If you're not joking, you are spot on.
posted by sparkletone at 2:17 PM on October 1, 2007


jonmc: the bands I link to in this Mecha Post are what come to mind when I think 'rock and roll.'
I like Nirvana (even though Soundgarden, Mudhoney, the Fastbacks and even Presidents Of The United States were often better)
Now, I'm no Nirvana fan, but asserting that Mudhoney is better than them (or any band, really, save maybe Creed) is a ding to your credibility as a music critic and non-audibly-impaired person.
posted by Terminal Verbosity at 2:18 PM on October 1, 2007


At the risk of getting off topic (by actually referring to the topic of the post) - Does anyone know (or are able to guess) how much more a cut of the sales radiohead would get per album, by self-releasing it? Like say, if I was to pay $10 for the download...I imagine they would receive a much larger cut of that (or all of it even?) than if there was a record company present. Just wondering how much would be reasonable to pay.
posted by troubles at 2:20 PM on October 1, 2007


Terminal Verbosity: "Touch Me I'm Sick" and their cover of Jimmie Dale Gilmore's "Tonight I Think I'm Gonna Go Dowtown" are better than anything Nirvana ever did. And I Like Nirvana.
posted by jonmc at 2:21 PM on October 1, 2007


I saw them solo about a year ago. Why they aren't the biggest band in the world is a mystery.

I've wanted to see them again since then (when they're headlining, obviously), but it hasn't been in the cards yet. But, man, when it is? I am there.

I am also mystified as to how they stay so far under the radar. PopMatters are big, big fans, but I can't think of many other places on the Internets that give them much of a mention.
posted by sparkletone at 2:23 PM on October 1, 2007


I am also mystified as to how they stay so far under the radar.

These days unironic rock is very unhip.

or as Tucson's gift to rock and roll put it...
posted by jonmc at 2:25 PM on October 1, 2007


Now, I LOVES me some Mudhoney (notably, "This Gift", "Hate Tha Police" and "The only thing between you and me kid" all rip the paint of walls), but I think it's just bogus to knock Nirvana. To the point of ridiculousness. Nirvana was, in a word, great. Not just good, but great.

I think the reach of some of the tunes on In Utero rivals just about anything recorded before or since, Nevermind (despite awful, awful production) has some of the greatest hooks in the history of pop, and the tune "Aneurysm" is an incredible punk rock masterpiece.

If you're putting goof rockers like the presidents of the united states over Nirvana, man, I think you're either smoking embalming fluid or being deliberately and disingenuously provocative.
posted by psmealey at 2:38 PM on October 1, 2007 [1 favorite]


If you're putting goof rockers like the presidents of the united states over Nirvana, man, I think you're either smoking embalming fluid or being deliberately and disingenuously provocative.

I said 'sometimes better' meaning that sometimes a brilliantly catchy goof like 'Mach V' can be ultimately better than failed ambition. Pound for pound though, I'd say Nirvana were the better band. But the two Mudhoney songs I mentioned are better than any single song Nirvana ever did, IMHO, and I stand by that. And the whole Cult Of Cobain has gotten to be a bit much.
posted by jonmc at 2:41 PM on October 1, 2007


I tried it again, the site broke again. Outside of the fact that it crashes it's kind of poorly thought out.

I appreciate that they're trying to do somethign different, but it'd be a lot cooler if it actually worked properly and didn;t make the proicess of giving them money slightly painful.

Maybe I'll just by the CD when it comes out.
posted by Artw at 2:44 PM on October 1, 2007


Well, I like Radiohead a lot, but that is THE most arduously piss poor order site I've ever come across. For those using Safari, I'd recommend using Firefox. There's a Confirm button on the last order page that didn't work on Safari.
posted by doctor_negative at 2:53 PM on October 1, 2007


sparkletone: I'm guessing he was implying that I was some sort of dunderhead for not liking Radiohead much, that he thinks it's because they're too'complex' or 'refined' for me.

No, I was trying to say that criticising someone's music is a slippery slope, even though we all do it.

When to me, rock and roll has always been about saying 'screw you' to refinement in the first place.

Yes, but nothing can stay static forever, jonmc, no matter how much we wish for it as fans of a genre (I refer to your other post in metachat). Art evolves and moves into new territory... are radiohead a rock 'n roll band in the same way that the Bellrays are? Of course not.

Professional music critics come up with all sorts of terms to explain this: post-rock, for example.
posted by chuckdarwin at 2:57 PM on October 1, 2007


Gah! Tried yet again. Got told I was alread registered. Finally managed to sign in. Got told I could only have one download per basket. Entered credit card details - the fucking thing crashes again.

I've no idea if a sale has happend or not, and am left with lingering doubt over whether or not my credit card details will now end up in the posession of Russian gangsters.

Hey, Radiohead, fire whoever is responsible for your website.
posted by Artw at 3:10 PM on October 1, 2007


Hey, Radiohead, fire whoever is responsible for your website.

I'm guessing like everyone else does, they vastly underestimated the amount of traffic they'd be dealing with. They have something like the power of not one, but two whole Internots pointed at them today.

It was fine (in Safari even!) last night when I was poking around... But that was before anyone but the AtEase board and anyone with Dead Air Space in their RSS had noticed.

I've not tried today, but I imagine it's pretty unusable. Hell, it's been 24 hours and At Ease is still slower than really slow slow thing.
posted by sparkletone at 4:30 PM on October 1, 2007


I will say I've ordered stuff from W.A.S.T.E. before (notably tickets to last year's Chicago shows), and there has been no Russian identity thieves showing up.

...

But that's just the sort of thing a Russian identity thief like me would write using this lovely American sparkletone account, da?
posted by sparkletone at 4:32 PM on October 1, 2007


Some of the problems I've encountered could be server load/stability related, but mostly it's just plain shit design. I get the impression that whoever built it reappropriated something else ...badly.
posted by Artw at 4:34 PM on October 1, 2007


I will say I've ordered stuff from W.A.S.T.E. before (notably tickets to last year's Chicago shows)

Another Chicago-ateaser?

Yay!
posted by Windigo at 5:01 PM on October 1, 2007


but mostly it's just plain shit design

Well. The design is very radiohead. As in, "Look what I can do in five minutes with no prior experience!" The server shit will get sorted out as people calm down. Jonny says you can't wear jeans while visiting the site.
posted by sparkletone at 5:03 PM on October 1, 2007


Have all the haters gone away now? Is it safe to come in here? *looks around nervously*

I STILL haven't recieved my confirmation email from waste for the box set.
posted by jokeefe at 5:10 PM on October 1, 2007


Windigo: Sort of. I find the place to be kind of a sewer, albeit an ocassionally useful one. I skimmed for a while but didn't get an account till after those two Chicago shows. What little posting I do tends to be outside of main.

Jokeefe:I'm assuming you've checked your spam folder. I got mine a minute after ordering, but that was around 7pm Central, before the site started getting crushed.
posted by sparkletone at 5:24 PM on October 1, 2007


Yeah, I started trying to order last night, and got caught up in the Verify Visa thing, much to my, ahem, annoyance (ask Windigo, she was witness to some of it).

Anyway, the charge shows up on the Visa site, so I'm just crossing my fingers that it went through.

sparkletone, you're on atease? I usually just run in and out of main to catch up on things, but there are still some posters there who I like very much. Well, maybe one. Or two. And Ade of course.
posted by jokeefe at 5:33 PM on October 1, 2007


Oh hold on, I just read your earlier post a little bit more carefully. Yeah, I'm afraid that atease has its downsides.
posted by jokeefe at 5:35 PM on October 1, 2007


Tried yet again. Got told I was alread registered. Finally managed to sign in. Got told I could only have one download per basket. Entered credit card details - the fucking thing crashes again.

Yeah. Hell, soon everybody'll be longing for the good old days when you could just go down to the shop and buy a CD.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:38 PM on October 1, 2007


Yeah, Jonny's comment about the site being busier than they expected-- dammit, it's always busier than they expect! They said that during the great server meltdown last year during the ticket sales. Argh.
posted by jokeefe at 5:41 PM on October 1, 2007


Windigo: Sort of. I find the place to be kind of a sewer, albeit an ocassionally useful one. I skimmed for a while but didn't get an account till after those two Chicago shows. What little posting I do tends to be outside of main.

Ditto, I go there for my news and browse threads, but it can be a scary place.

You should go to the Metafilter October 3rd Chicago meetup. That way, if it sucks, I have someone to sit around and talk Radiohead with!
posted by Windigo at 5:59 PM on October 1, 2007


annoyance (ask Windigo, she was witness to some of it).

There was very nearly death and mayhem on a global scale.

I was scared.
posted by Windigo at 6:01 PM on October 1, 2007


Hammerhead FTW
posted by glycolized at 6:02 PM on October 1, 2007


Trying. to. care.

All over the floor.
posted by rachelpapers at 6:35 PM on October 1, 2007


All over the floor.

Hopefully, you brought rachelpapertowels with you.

HA HA, I MADE A FUNNY!!!
posted by sparkletone at 7:15 PM on October 1, 2007


You should go to the Metafilter October 3rd Chicago meetup. That way, if it sucks, I have someone to sit around and talk Radiohead with!

I'll be trying to make it. If I do make it, I won't be there till later in the evening (like 7-7:30ish due to work). No guarantees of any kind!
posted by sparkletone at 7:18 PM on October 1, 2007


Radiohead. Just a band.

(hey, someone had to say it)
posted by revmitcz at 7:26 PM on October 1, 2007


I'll be trying to make it. If I do make it, I won't be there till later in the evening (like 7-7:30ish due to work). No guarantees of any kind!

You should definitely try to make it, sparkletone, as I happen to have inside knowledge of Windigo, i.e. that she is pretty awesome (and pretty, too).
posted by jokeefe at 7:59 PM on October 1, 2007


I just noticed that At Ease has gone private, solving their speed issues. Therefore, inrainbows.com should only allow people who have already purchased to access site.

...

What?
posted by sparkletone at 8:14 PM on October 1, 2007


You should definitely try to make it, sparkletone, as I happen to have inside knowledge of Windigo, i.e. that she is pretty awesome (and pretty, too).

Eye candy is nice and all, and awesome people are even nicer, but I don't really need more incentive than I've got.

I'm not afraid of meeting Weird Internet People! (I've done it too much.)

It's mostly a matter of work not eating me. I've missed two (!!!) meetups since I moved here for various reasons. I do not wish for there to be a third missed opportunity!
posted by sparkletone at 8:51 PM on October 1, 2007


re: pricing model

hal varian -- google's 'chief economist' -- wrote a seminal paper way back in 1996 on differential pricing and efficiency, fwiw :P

...basically saying that 'information goods' should be priced off of one's "marginal willingness to pay"

um, so i guess when you think about a low marginal cost world where 'value' is an amorphous and idiosyncratic concept, price discovery is "up to you"

cheers!
posted by kliuless at 9:06 PM on October 1, 2007


Radiohead still reminds me of who I was and who I thought I might be. And sometimes floats me into the right-now.
posted by lauranesson at 9:12 PM on October 1, 2007 [2 favorites]


Radiohead. Just a band.

(hey, someone had to say it)


Well, that's true. Can't argue with you there.

Radiohead still reminds me of who I was and who I thought I might be. And sometimes floats me into the right-now.

Well, that's true. Can't argue with you there.

re: sparkletone: If ya show up, cool! If you don't, well, there's always next tour, eh?
posted by Windigo at 4:36 AM on October 2, 2007


The Brian Jonestown Massacre reminds me of who I never thought I was, but turned out to be.
posted by psmealey at 9:52 AM on October 2, 2007


Dope sick?
posted by klangklangston at 10:25 AM on October 2, 2007


Controlling megalomanic + a touch of crazy... at least musically speaking. Pretty healthy otherwise.
posted by psmealey at 10:26 AM on October 2, 2007


Definitive artwork has been posted.
posted by sparkletone at 6:05 PM on October 2, 2007


Website allegedly fixed.

Apparently "most fans are buying the boxset", which I find a little hard to believe.
posted by Artw at 10:09 AM on October 3, 2007


Any thoughts?
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 12:09 PM on October 10, 2007


Why does jonmc hate music?
posted by damnthesehumanhands at 3:41 PM on October 10, 2007


Phoned-in horseshit. Not worth the bits it's printed on. Also, we get it. You like Terry Riley. Suck a tailpipe.
posted by basicchannel at 3:44 PM on October 10, 2007


So… It's OK, but not very good. First two tracks were interesting, then a bunch of reedy John Martyn knock-off.
posted by klangklangston at 10:19 PM on October 10, 2007


It's growing on me, slowly. There are moments.
posted by waxboy at 7:04 PM on October 11, 2007


I realize this is a shit thread, but I finally downloaded in rainbows last night and I find it absolutely fantastic.
posted by agregoli at 7:01 AM on October 12, 2007


Radiohead Fans Feel Duped By In Rainbows' Poor Sound Quality, Possible Ulterior Motives -- "Statements from band's management seem to indicate that downloadable album was just promotional tool for physical CD."
posted by ericb at 3:02 PM on October 12, 2007


The quality seems fine to me, but I'm not a total audiophile. I'm sure if they're enough uproar, they'll release a better-quality version. I don't see how anyone could say this is a "dupe." They gave it away for free, for crying out loud!
posted by agregoli at 3:18 PM on October 12, 2007


Saul Williams follows suit.

Working with Trent Reznor, Saul Williams will release his new album in a similar fashion—$5 or free, up to you (I'm gonna listen first, then decide).
posted by klangklangston at 12:42 PM on October 25, 2007


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