First Impressions thread

[WallOfIce]

I can't connect emotionally to I Froze up or Let Me Take Control at all, I can however connect emotional to Bloom, Morning Mr. Magpie, Little by Little, Feral, Lotus Flower, Codex, Give Up the Ghost, and Separator. This album doesn't lack emotion, it lacks emotion you can connect to.

Good, I'm glad for you. I envy you, I wish I could enjoy this record as much as everyone who loves it does. It's just a matter of different tastes and expectations I suppose. Just as I mentioned, based on the live material I had my hopes up for (and I hesitate to use this word, because I think it holds connotations that I'm not intending) - a "folkier" record based on the more guitar laden and in my opinion more soulful live performances that led up to this album.

 

Like I said - there's enough to enjoy here. Bloom and Give Up the Ghost belong on any best of lists when it comes to Radiohead songs. Lotus Flower too, even if I feel like it fell short of its massive potential it had in the pre-recording stage.

 

So yeah, if you enjoy this record that much I'm glad for you. I wish it could be up my alley as much as it is yours. I just had other things in mind when I loaded this up for my first listen.

[injektilo]

Well, I'd have to say I definitely didn't go into the album expecting to dislike it. From listening to the live boots for well over a year now, I had my hopes higher for this record than I really ever have had for a music release. I might be in the minority with my opinion, but I'm a younger listener of this band, I was right around 16 or 17 when In Rainbows came out, and I think that was the first record that I really appreciated as an album as a whole, the way a record is supposed to be appreciated. OKC and Kid A have their place and will always be the critically acclaimed masterpieces. But In Rainbows really just strikes me another way that those albums dont on a whole other emotional level.

 

So when I heard the live bootlegs of the original version of Lotus Flower, Let Me Take Control, The Present Tense etc, it seemed as if I was ready to receive another masterpiece in my eyes, and that's what I geared my expectations to. I feel disappointed in my reaction to the album, almost the same way critics and people like Nick Hornby bitched about Kid A when it came out because they wanted another OK Computer or The Bends. But my hopes were high based off the material I heard, and instead the band zigged when I expected them to zag, I guess you could say.

 

So no, I'm not going to lay my feelings about the record and blame on Radiohead and curse The King of Limbs as if it were useless trash. Bloom is an absolutely mind-blowing song, and Give Up the Ghost is moving in every way I could ask for from a Radiohead song. But when I hear the original Lotus Flower, with what I felt like was an impeccable guitar bit that was perfect for that song, and I hear other emotionally deep songs like the aforementioned Let Me Take Control, I expected an emotional and moving record. I expected more in line with In Rainbows based on the demos. Instead I got what I feel like is a more sterilized and cold album. So again, no it's not the band's fault that I expected them to do one thing and they did another. But at the same time, those *are* my feelings, and I can't force myself to feel differently than I truly do.

 

Wow I ended up typing way more than I expected.

 

give it some time. i get a lot of the feelings you just described when i listened it initially, but they have literally vanished for me during the last 24 hours. this is really an album which benefits from several listens. for me, after awhile, they erased my memory of thom's live recordings. if you can dissociate them from your mind, you might just find something in this batch of songs as they stand on their own. i think this is the furthest thing from a sterilized and cold album. warm, dreamy, beautiful, and moving (literally)...try to take the journey with it. it's a soundtrack to something; it just depends on what you fill it with.

[Michael Douglas]

god this album is magnificent

[jediStick]

has anyone expressed any sort of shock that they went back and recorded morning mr. magpie? that's one that i just assumed would always be left behind.

[WallOfIce]

give it some time. i get a lot of the feelings you just described when i listened it initially, but they have literally vanished for me during the last 24 hours. this is really an album which benefits from several listens. for me, after awhile, they erased my memory of thom's live recordings. if you can dissociate them from your mind, you might just find something in this batch of songs as they stand on their own. i think this is the furthest thing from a sterilized and cold album. warm, dreamy, beautiful, and moving (literally)...try to take the journey with it. it's a soundtrack to something; it just depends on what you fill it with.

Ha, I don't think I'll ever let myself erase those recordings from my mind. Let Me Take Control, The Present Tense, I Froze Up and even the original take on Lotus Flower will always find themselves in rotation in my playlists.

 

But I'm not going to let what could be unreasonably high expectations on my part ruin what is ultimately an enjoyable record for me. I've been listening through it basically nonstop since the download was put up. And I do find myself discovering moments on the record that are absolutely incredible. Basically the whole of Bloom, Give Up the Ghost, and Lotus Flower. Codex and Separator are both good too, though I wouldn't consider them classics the way I do the highlights of the album.

 

Really I think in the end I think I'll end up looking at this record in a couple years the same way I view Hail to the Thief. HttT as an album is not one I revisit because as a complete album is it a classic, not like I hear OKC or Kid A or In Rainbows. It is a record that I do enjoy skimming through, because as a collection of songs solely, I feel like it has some of their very best work (namely Sit Down Stand Up, There There, and A Wolf at the Door) mixed in with a handful of lesser songs.

 

Although being a shorter album at 8 songs, I imagine I'll hear it in full plenty of times. Especially considering I bought the newspaper album. And the fact that even if it's not my favorite, the lows are not as low as some of their other work (see: Pablo Honey, Hail to the Thief, and even The Bends), even if the high points are not as high.

[riffraff]

Well, I'd have to say I definitely didn't go into the album expecting to dislike it. From listening to the live boots for well over a year now, I had my hopes higher for this record than I really ever have had for a music release. I might be in the minority with my opinion, but I'm a younger listener of this band, I was right around 16 or 17 when In Rainbows came out, and I think that was the first record that I really appreciated as an album as a whole, the way a record is supposed to be appreciated. OKC and Kid A have their place and will always be the critically acclaimed masterpieces. But In Rainbows really just strikes me another way that those albums dont on a whole other emotional level.

 

So when I heard the live bootlegs of the original version of Lotus Flower, Let Me Take Control, The Present Tense etc, it seemed as if I was ready to receive another masterpiece in my eyes, and that's what I geared my expectations to. I feel disappointed in my reaction to the album, almost the same way critics and people like Nick Hornby bitched about Kid A when it came out because they wanted another OK Computer or The Bends. But my hopes were high based off the material I heard, and instead the band zigged when I expected them to zag, I guess you could say.

 

So no, I'm not going to lay my feelings about the record and blame on Radiohead and curse The King of Limbs as if it were useless trash. Bloom is an absolutely mind-blowing song, and Give Up the Ghost is moving in every way I could ask for from a Radiohead song. But when I hear the original Lotus Flower, with what I felt like was an impeccable guitar bit that was perfect for that song, and I hear other emotionally deep songs like the aforementioned Let Me Take Control, I expected an emotional and moving record. I expected more in line with In Rainbows based on the demos. Instead I got what I feel like is a more sterilized and cold album. So again, no it's not the band's fault that I expected them to do one thing and they did another. But at the same time, those *are* my feelings, and I can't force myself to feel differently than I truly do.

 

Wow I ended up typing way more than I expected.

 

No problem. I totally get all that. I'll just say that it's probably best to NOT have expectations. You have "expected more in line with In Rainbows" from a band that has said for a number of years how they intend to NOT replicate themselves. They have never aimed to create something they have already done. Trust them to surprise you. Trust them to do something they haven't before. Do not trust them to make another In Rainbows. Even if you don't like the album, at least look forward to the tour. Hearing the live versions of these songs as recorded may help you build an appreciation of them. I've never really understood when people complain about an album version being disappointing compared to a prior live in-the-works version. I almost always enjoy the "final" album version more. But an updated live version may surprise you.

[WallOfIce]

has anyone expressed any sort of shock that they went back and recorded morning mr. magpie? that's one that i just assumed would always be left behind.

I'll say that I am, and perhaps it's one they should've left behind in favor of a better song - of which they have plenty that have been making the rounds for awhile now. I just don't feel like that song has much personality at all. You take it and stick it in the middle of any number of their albums and it wouldn't seem that out of place. It just feels like filler. Even if it's not my absolute favorite of the live boots, I can't really say a song like The Present Tense wouldn't have slotted in much better there on the album.

[BerserkAppliance]

I haven't read any thread yet because this is the first time I could log in after Friday, but I'll just leave two quick comments:

- Finally an RH album to have in the background while making sweet lovin

- Pop isn't dead after all.

[WallOfIce]

No problem. I totally get all that. I'll just say that it's probably best to NOT have expectations. You have "expected more in line with In Rainbows" from a band that has said for a number of years how they intend to NOT replicate themselves. They have never aimed to create something they have already done. Trust them to surprise you. Trust them to do something they haven't before. Do not trust them to make another In Rainbows. Even if you don't like the album, at least look forward to the tour. Hearing the live versions of these songs as recorded may help you build an appreciation of them. I've never really understood when people complain about an album version being disappointing compared to a prior live in-the-works version. I almost always enjoy the "final" album version more. But an updated live version may surprise you.

Yeah, standing back and examining my reaction today after digesting the record for awhile, I found myself a bit surprised at, well, how surprised I was about it. This is the same band that followed OK Computer with Kid A after all. And much in the same way people complained about the band moving in a radically different direction then, I realized much of my criticisms were based in the same line of thinking. I do realize with Radiohead, expectations are pointless because they will seem to always defy them whenever they have something new to offer. I will say one thing in my defense though, that some of those expectations may have been warranted given the nature of the live song output in between In Rainbows and The King of Limbs.

[Questions]

This album has one good song......codex. The rest is absolute shit. At least that's my first impression. There might be 3 other songs that might grow on me but considering there's only eight to choose from, I'm really glad I paid $14.99 US for the pleasure.

 

Kind of falls in place with everything Radiohead has done since OK Computer. Wait years for the next cd so you can really like one or two songs or pretend that something like "the rain drops" at the end of Sit Down Stand Up didn't ruin the song. Those shitty noises at the end of Videotape were just the icing on the cake too. Why not just screech a violin over a microphone to add more feeling? Don't use the strings.......that'd almost be like playing a guitar. Heaven forbid Radiohead use one of those without some useless jazz vibe to it. Your appeal from the beginning wasn't the jazz in you.

 

Could this band let the techno shit go for once? For Christ sake Radiohead, Stairway To Heaven wouldn't have been a better song if it started off with stupid computer blips and beeps. Windows 7 blipped to let me know that I downloaded the new cd...........I didn't need to hear more of that when playing it.

 

I could have sworn that Radiohead used to play instruments. Other than piano and bass, the drums could be replaced with a drum machine.

 

OH and for the Love of God Himself Thom, could you just belt out a falsetto note instead of singing it in a wimpy whimper? You know, like you did in the bridge part of Creep? RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN. If you had done it the wimpy, jazzy, techno way, it might not have sounded so good. Hell, even Prince belts it out after starting with falsetto and he's not most masculine guy on the planet.

 

I was listening to Push/Pulk Revolving Bore (or whatever the hell that song's called) the other day and I thought to myself, you know...there's shitty songs that you can't come back from too.

 

Thanks for the waste of time boys and maybe it's time to just call it a day. You're over 40 so let the techno go or just let go all together.

 

If you hate this post then you know how I feel about the new CD. I didn't even charge $14.99 so consider yourself lucky.

 

If you disagree with anything I've said then you're wrong.

 

God bless and cheers to one and all!!

 

All we are saying, is give peace a chance.

[WallOfIce]

This album has one good song......codex. The rest is absolute shit. At least that's my first impression. There might be 3 other songs that might grow on me but considering there's only eight to choose from, I'm really glad I paid $14.99 US for the pleasure.

 

Kind of falls in place with everything Radiohead has done since OK Computer. Wait years for the next cd so you can really like one or two songs or pretend that something like "the rain drops" at the end of Sit Down Stand Up didn't ruin the song. Those shitty noises at the end of Videotape were just the icing on the cake too. Why not just screech a violin over a microphone to add more feeling? Don't use the strings.......that'd almost be like playing a guitar. Heaven forbid Radiohead use one of those without some useless jazz vibe to it. Your appeal from the beginning wasn't the jazz in you.

 

Could this band let the techno shit go for once? For Christ sake Radiohead, Stairway To Heaven wouldn't have been a better song if it started off with stupid computer blips and beeps. Windows 7 blipped to let me know that I downloaded the new cd...........I didn't need to hear more of that when playing it.

 

I could have sworn that Radiohead used to play instruments. Other than piano and bass, the drums could be replaced with a drum machine.

 

OH and for the Love of God Himself Thom, could you just belt out a falsetto note instead of singing it in a wimpy whimper? You know, like you did in the bridge part of Creep? RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN. If you had done it the wimpy, jazzy, techno way, it might not have sounded so good. Hell, even Prince belts it out after starting with falsetto and he's not most masculine guy on the planet.

 

I was listening to Push/Pulk Revolving Bore (or whatever the hell that song's called) the other day and I thought to myself, you know...there's shitty songs that you can't come back from too.

 

Thanks for the waste of time boys and maybe it's time to just call it a day. You're over 40 so let the techno go or just let go all together.

 

If you hate this post then you know how I feel about the new CD. I didn't even charge $14.99 so consider yourself lucky.

 

If you disagree with anything I've said then you're wrong.

 

God bless and cheers to one and all!!

 

All we are saying, is give peace a chance.

Grade A+ troll post, 10/10, would read again.

[Donlatt]

This album has one good song......codex. The rest is absolute shit. At least that's my first impression. There might be 3 other songs that might grow on me but considering there's only eight to choose from, I'm really glad I paid $14.99 US for the pleasure.

 

Kind of falls in place with everything Radiohead has done since OK Computer. Wait years for the next cd so you can really like one or two songs or pretend that something like "the rain drops" at the end of Sit Down Stand Up didn't ruin the song. Those shitty noises at the end of Videotape were just the icing on the cake too. Why not just screech a violin over a microphone to add more feeling? Don't use the strings.......that'd almost be like playing a guitar. Heaven forbid Radiohead use one of those without some useless jazz vibe to it. Your appeal from the beginning wasn't the jazz in you.

 

Could this band let the techno shit go for once? For Christ sake Radiohead, Stairway To Heaven wouldn't have been a better song if it started off with stupid computer blips and beeps. Windows 7 blipped to let me know that I downloaded the new cd...........I didn't need to hear more of that when playing it.

 

I could have sworn that Radiohead used to play instruments. Other than piano and bass, the drums could be replaced with a drum machine.

 

OH and for the Love of God Himself Thom, could you just belt out a falsetto note instead of singing it in a wimpy whimper? You know, like you did in the bridge part of Creep? RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN. If you had done it the wimpy, jazzy, techno way, it might not have sounded so good. Hell, even Prince belts it out after starting with falsetto and he's not most masculine guy on the planet.

 

I was listening to Push/Pulk Revolving Bore (or whatever the hell that song's called) the other day and I thought to myself, you know...there's shitty songs that you can't come back from too.

 

Thanks for the waste of time boys and maybe it's time to just call it a day. You're over 40 so let the techno go or just let go all together.

 

If you hate this post then you know how I feel about the new CD. I didn't even charge $14.99 so consider yourself lucky.

 

If you disagree with anything I've said then you're wrong.

 

God bless and cheers to one and all!!

 

All we are saying, is give peace a chance.

 

People were saying shit just like this when Kid A came out! :facepalm:

[WallOfIce]

People were saying shit just like this when Kid A came out! :facepalm:

Feed the troll, he starves for our rage.

[riffraff]

You know, like you did in Creep?

 

Look, I just summed up your stupid post for you.

[Warren Ellis' Beard]

I'm waiting until Pitchfork reviews it until I decide what I think about it.

 

(that's some good quality sarcasm)

[Drake]

For Christ sake Radiohead, Stairway To Heaven wouldn't have been a better song if it started off with stupid computer blips and beeps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmsYWDhSVMA&t=5m12s

 

Edited February 20, 2011 by WAVY TARE

[ytrepus]

I guess this is technically not my first impression as I'm on listen 20-something by now (one of the benefits of a shorter album!)

 

Like a lot of people, I was a bit shell-shocked when I first heard The King of Limbs (and saw the tracklist!). I had to listen once and then work for the afternoon, so it wasn't until a few hours later that I was able to get listen number two in. The entire time in between I couldn't stop thinking about what I had just heard.

 

I love how concise the album is--but it feels like what was slightly sacrificed in length was made up for in density--it almost feels like there is *more* material here than a lot of their other albums.

 

I couldn't be happier with the way Lotus Flower, Give Up the Ghost, and Separator translated in the studio. Morning Mr. Magpie was a great surprise. Codex is stunning and the vocals feel like the sort of immediately accessible melody that Radiohead sometimes shy away from.

 

But most importantly for me, this album doesn't sound even close to a rehash of anything that came before it.

 

Whatever the future holds regarding follow up releases, it's a very exciting time to be a Radiohead fan. It will be *very* interesting to see what sort of press the band start to give in the next few days. Or will it be continued radio silence....?

[Noblesa408]

Not sure how deep in I am, probably 30ish rounds in (not much going on this weekend, heh).

 

- First listen, as with a lot of Radiohead, you have to sort of dismiss (judgement-wise). I'd be an idiot to think I'd be able to consume even 10% of what was coming out. Bloom and Feral fall in there, so much going on, will take time. MMM LBL will grow I am sure of it. I was most excited about GUTG, its great, but Lotus Flower has been the repeat single so far. It is catchy and the video helps Codex and its lake has me.

 

The number "8" really did get some reaction out of me. Nobody put a gun to my head and made me buy the premium package, but I did blindly (had to with so little info) and I'm sorta tight on money. Warning, poor math:

$1.29/min, $6/song + art and such months away. Hope there is more. Minor complaint, I highly doubt I will regret this purchase (okay, I'm not that poor, just a miser).

 

- (After endless listening) Growing so much quicker than I thought. Heard someone here say this album is definitely more of "a grower than the shower In Rainbows was" and I agree. IR had me day one middle of the night. I have to change my mindset here, which is why I love Radiohead.

 

Still, despite the density, quality, and growth, I don't think I am going to make that deep, human connection that was so powerful with IR, with these eight tracks. Don't think that was their aim anyhow.

 

Eh, too early even for this. I think there is much more to come!

[rek]

i like it.

[Practically a Mess]

1st half reminds me of Talking Heads (Remain in Light), 2nd half reminds me of Talk Talk (Laughing Stock)

 

Should of been called Talking Heads Talk Talk.

[suavesir]

My first impression - Will there be a version with full band?

 

My second impression - They might want to consider if writing and recording new songs is a good use of their time nowadays if it took them over 3 full years to come up with this. They could just focus on family and play existing material at a few festivals every year.

[babydoctor]

bahaha, every single review featured on the front page of rym is on this album.

[snap]

took me a couple of days to properly open my ears to this LP, i can't really stomach the occasional morbidness of RH anymore, just not what i appreciate - so i was having trouble getting past that. haven't listened to them in a while so it was a tough transition. now though, yeah it's very very good. just feel like sinking into it man, those layers and all that rhythmic emphasis...dat BASS

 

also prefer the length and amount of tracks. very refreshing to have something this concise. i haven't been following this LP but i'm assuming godrich produced this right? he's redeemed after the hiccups i have with some IR material, it's pitch-perfect.

[snap]

those fucking horns on codex, have RH ever sounded better? godammm

[indiablubber]

do the horns on bloom sound sorta volta-esque to anyone else?