Hail to the Thief

[WalterSobchak]

Well as many of you may have heard, the new Radiohead album, Hail to the Thief, is set to be released on June 9-10th. Personally there aren't a whole lot of bands that do it for me like Radiohead. They are as close to musically infallible as it gets for me. But Hail to the Thief? I'm no Bush fan, far from it. But I just don't think this works as an album title.. Anyone else?

[alternachild]

I really don't see a problem with it. I actually approve. Based on opinion, of course, I think it is clever.

[kcneon]

I thought the same when I heard the title--blech! I'm about 50/50 on their album titles anyway. Luckily, that doesn't have much to do with how good it will sound! ;)

[tobedawg]

I'm really curious to hear what this new Radiohead disc will sound like. I've liked both their melodic Bends type of sound and their spacey concepty Ok Computer trilogy sound.

[DogStarMan]

What makes you think the title has anything to do with Shrubya?

[WalterSobchak]

http://www.nme.com/news/104581.htm

[DogStarMan]

Well, there you go then. Color me "out of the loop". I'm still not entirely convinced that this is some anti-Bush statement they're trying to make. I'd like to hear what they have to say on the subject.

[bluewilco]

Titles schmitles--As long as it's good ol' Radiohead with some good ol' tunes, then I'm satisfied.

[The Wanderer]

This will be the album of the year, mark it down now...........

:D

[kcneon]

"There There" is suppose to be the first track they'll send to radio around 4/28.

[The Sheck]

Does anyone else think the album title has something to do with Kazaa/Limewire/etc? If I remember correctly, Kid A was a heavily requested download...

[WalterSobchak]

Given how leaked out Kid A was, and how it didn't really effect sales, I hardly think that Radiohead has any beef with this. They've always been "good" about being accessible, especially with their webcasts and what not. I don't know. I've never heard any complaints from Thom and Co, I'd be surprised if that were part of it.

[OffInTheCorner]

well since the new hail to the thief has already been leaked onto the net yesterday (may not be the final masters though), the band has already commented that they dont really care about it, just sooner than they thought it would... it seems ed may have actually been the one to leak it himself... and they claim that the title has nothin to do with bush, just simply line from 2+2=5 and that its not an insult

[WalterSobchak]

good lord, I love radiohead....mmm

[WalterSobchak]

anyone looking to try it out, this mirror seems to be pretty fast. It took me about 15 minutes to get the whole album and part of that was me not wanting to bog down the server.

http://www.idioteque.it/multimedia/audio.htm

[A/V Geek]

It's all over the place now. I use Soulseek and as soon as I heard the album had been leaked (at about 8:00 pm) I did a search on "Hail to the Thief" and had all 14 tracks by 8:30.

Damn, this interweb thing is gonna be huge! ;)

So what does anyone who has heard it think so far?

Upon first listen, I've determined that it may need a few more listens. Initial impressions: It is more "rock" oriented than "Kid Amnesiac," but those who are expecting another Bends or OK Computer will be disappointed again. They (for the most part) continue to distance themselves from conventional melodies and song structures.

I'm led to believe that maybe this is not the final mix, as some of the songs seem to fade out prematurely ("Go to Sleep" to cite one glaring example.) As of now, I'd have to say that this record is no more "accessible" than either of the last 2 releases (possibly less,) but for me, to not be challenged as a listener by this band would be a disappointment.

[A/V Geek]

Ah jeez, who am I kidding?

Would it kill them to write a hook again?

[sadgirlseven]

i've heard that the leaked tracks are unmastered, so it looks like what some of us have is not the finished product.

i like what i've heard so far. i agree that there are not many hooks to be found and honestly, i haven't heard much rockin' stuff, but i really like it. i think this album will further alienate fans who were disappointed with kid a and amnesiac, but umm, oh well.

[The Sheck]

Originally posted by A/V Geek
It's all over the place now. I use Soulseek and as soon as I heard the album had been leaked (at about 8:00 pm) I did a search on "Hail to the Thief" and had all 14 tracks by 8:30.

Damn, this interweb thing is gonna be huge! ;)

Regardless of if the release date is bumped up to slow down the leak (although 90% of Radiohead fans probably already have the songs) it's great publicity. Who isn't going to buy the new album once it "officially" comes out aka 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot'? If anything, this will increase sales.

Did anybody catch the sad bastard in Korn crying about how dl'ers killed the sales of their latest record? He said he wasn't going to give his label the new album until one week before it was going to come out. I thought it was amusing that he didn't see that nü metal's fifteen minutes are almost up.

[tobedawg]

Did anybody catch the sad bastard in Korn crying about how dl'ers killed the sales of their latest record? He said he wasn't going to give his label the new album until one week before it was going to come out. I thought it was amusing that he didn't see that nü metal's fifteen minutes are almost up.

I've noticed that most of the "artists" who whine about downloaders are people like Eminem and Britney Spears.

As far as the Radiohead songs go, I downloaded a few of them so far. I like what I've heard and definately will buy the CD when it comes out. The cool thing about Radiohead's CD's too is the artwork in the CD booklet.

[The Sheck]

After hearing this record, I'm not that impressed with it. Granted, it may be the "unmastered" version or just might be different from when it actually comes out, but it certainly isn't as unexpected as 'OK Computer' after 'The Bends' and 'Kid A' after 'OK Computer'. The album sounds like those three discs mashed together. I can pick out several moments when they cop 'Paranoid Android' for example. It's not a BAD album, per se, but...they've done this sort of thing before.

Like I said, maybe the "official" version will be different. But for now, 3.5 out of 5. I do like 'There There' quite a bit. Isn't that supposed to be the first single?

[A/V Geek]

Yes, that's the single. I like it as well, and I think the 2nd half of the record is much better than the first overall.

[mike]

This is taken from an industry site that a few of us at the station access from time to time...compare & contrast, if you wish.

--------

(01) "2+2=5": The album opener finds the boys from Oxford in a similar headspace to Kid A or Amnesiac, all sparse guitars and plaintive vocals. Until about half way through, when guitars crash in and the song becomes the most straightforward thing they’ve done since OK Computer. An auspicious beginning…

(02) "Sit Down, Stand Up": More of the same, minimalist arrangements and Thom Yorke’s emotive wailing, accompanied by some xylophone-type instrument. Again, as in "2+2=5," the song drastically changes at the midpoint. However, this time it’s hectic, scattered IDM/Warp Records style rhythms that find their way into the tune. Interesting.

(03) "Sail To The Moon": Further sparse arrangements, with a prominent piano line and a slight, analog drum backing. Cold and dark, like a trip to the moon.

(04) "Backdrifts": The prettiest tune of the bunch so far, this number mixes more electronic rhythms and instrumentation with Thom’s spine-tingling vocal.

(05) "Go To Sleep": A strummed guitar intro sets the tone for the uptempo aspects to come. A rougher vocal texture than the other tracks, and multiple noisy guitar lines running simultaneously, including the initial strum pattern. Second fastest track so far.

(06) "Where I End And You Begin": Eerie synths lay over the top of a groovy bassline and shuffly Stone Roses-esque drum pattern. Thom’s voice is back in soul-shaking mode. "I’m up in the clouds and I can’t come down," he coos. Indeed.

(07) "We Suck Young Blood": Scared that the quintet has gone goth, but not to worry. Although this song is dark, there is no black eyeliner in sight. "We Suck Young Blood" kicks off with a plaintive piano line and is paired with slow-tempoed hand claps and more wailing as only Mr. Yorke can.

(08) "The Gloaming": Cyber noises lead into more electronica until a backwards synth drum line makes an appearance. Very Warp records-like and on par with the more electronic side the band showed on their past two studio albums.

(09) "There There": A down-tempo jazzy intro with what sounds like bongos. An REM-like guitar line is evident and the vocals are sung more than wailed. Another pretty one that builds in tempo and vigor, but never quite makes it out of ballad speed.

(10) "I Will": Country-western-esque in guitar tone, more minimalism in music and what seem to be double-tracked lead vocals, one in falsetto. Very Radiohead. (11) "A Punch-Up At A Wedding": Synthetic drums, piano and bass comprise the bulk of this amusingly titled number. The further you listen, the more you continue to be reminded of the strength and quality of the vocals.

(12) "Myxomatosis": OK, any song that is based on a word describing a mosquito-borne illness that mainly attacks rabbits is CREEPY. A fuzzy bass intro leads into scattered rhythms and a more upfront vocal feel. It’s still creepy, though.

(13) "Scatterbrain": Yet another ballad, this one comprised of a repeated guitar line and yet more beautiful vocals. Reminiscent of U.N.K.L.E.’s "Rabbit In Your Headlights" with no beats..

(14) "A Wolf At The Door": A chanted vocal differentiates the album closer from the rest. Again sparse, pretty guitars lay under the almost spoken words. The song builds to crescendos, percussion swarming in and out. Very dynamic.

And so that’s it. Who knows if these are the finished versions, but it’s definitely Radiohead and definitely filled with quality. Now we just have to wait until June to find out for sure.


- Reported by Jeremy P. Goldstein

[kcneon]

So, Mike, when are you guys going to play a track or two? (If you have already today I missed--haven't been able to listen.) Some stations started playing a couple tracks today--I'm wondering if they are doing this of their own accord or the label is going to give the 'ok' now that it's been leaked.

[mike]

Originally posted by kcneon
So, Mike, when are you guys going to play a track or two? (If you have already today I missed--haven't been able to listen.) Some stations started playing a couple tracks today--I'm wondering if they are doing this of their own accord or the label is going to give the 'ok' now that it's been leaked.

We try to stay on the up & up most of the time. I haven't heard any of the tunes yet, and haven't heard of any stations leaking it...yet.

Best answer I can give is to stay tuned.

MST

[bgb22]

Oh, and here's a littlle fun for people who don't know about this already... Reverse "I Will" and play it backwards. :cool:

[The Sheck]

Also, it was confirmed that the mp3s released to the net are the unmastered versions. No one seems to know quite exactly how they got there...

[bgb22]

Originally posted by The Sheck
Also, it was confirmed that the mp3s released to the net are the unmastered versions. No one seems to know quite exactly how they got there...

They're not even the final mixes according to Nigel Godrich, their producer. :) There is speculation that Ed leaked the tracks, but that doesn't really make sense to me for him to let out unfinished, rough versions of the songs... :rolleyes:

[WalterSobchak]

personally I'm not real concerned with the fact that these aren't masters, I think that makes it all the better. I like seeing the progression of the songs as much as anything.

Anyway I think my personal favorite so far is "Where I End and You Begin" anyone else?

[bgb22]

Originally posted by bgb22
Oh, and here's a littlle fun for people who don't know about this already... Reverse "I Will" and play it backwards. :cool:

So no one has tried it yet?

http://www.diawara.co.uk/radiohead/i_will_vs_spinning_plates.mp3

:)

[AmericanScience]

I've only listened to it once through, well, some songs twice, and am fairly certain I'll dig it when it all sinks in. Some of it is a return to more normal stuff, but some of those sounds are just great.

"where i end" seems great, and "punch up at a wedding" uses those cliched phrases in the lyrics, but seems like it has a good melody.

[jayray]

Not even mastered?

It's the best since OK Computer for me.

[mattsledge]

I am 99.9 percent sure that this talk of the album "not being finished/mastered/worked on" etcetera is a bunch of hoohah and the guys are lying about it because...

We got the "official" single for "There There" today from the label, and it sounds EXACTLY like the downloaded version. Labels usually don't release singles to stations when the album is not finished, so...

Gotta pump up the album sales somehow, eh?

[sadgirlseven]

yeah, i thought about that last night. these tracks sound really freakin' good for being supposedly unfinished tracks.

eh, i don't care. i'm still going to buy the album when it comes out. i'm still going to love it then.

[zippy]

having only listened twice, track 5 is a standout for me. i try to avoid the hype.

[UKreviewer]

2+2=5 is there strongest opener to an album yet, and that is considering how great Airbag and Planet Telex are on there highlight albums OK Computer and The Bends.

I love Radiohead. I wasn't there from the very start, but as soon as I brought Creep on single back in '93, I knew that they would turn out to be something special. I never expected what we have all been graced with though, and that is as good of an example of a GREAT BAND as your likely to find. Thom Yorke is such a huge talent.

To me, Kid A and Amnesiac where Radiohead at there most quizical. They wanted to see how far they could experiment before it just turns into a sound colluage. They have crept back into there coventional style occasionally with this album, but it wont be there last. These guys could write great albums at a picnic lunch. There just choosing to mess with us all.