I thought they were the world’s greatest band during the “Bends” and “Ok Computer”. They were a band that could play soft and heavy within the same tune, which made them a throwback to the classic rock period. I think today, many modern bands try to mine the same musical vein, and are monochromatic, whereas RH was way more versatile. Unfortunately, they developed such an arrogant attitude, that they believed anything they did was brilliant, and lost all objectivity, and consequently released a series of albums that did nothing for me. Most recently, “Hail to to the Thief”, can only be described as a difficult album, covering many musical styles, but failing to rein the album into a unifying whole. Some of the songs are virtually unlistenable, which I never would have thought possible for a band that produced the first 2 mention albums. I thought if they would have focused more on the stoner rock sounds of “There, There”, and used those rhythms and grooves throughout the album, they would have really had something.
I understand, making your fans “work” to listen to music is fine. I guess you could call it art. But RH artistic decision to follow this course has lead them to relative obscurity, which is unfortunate because they still have the talent to have both artistic and commercial success. Few avante garde records such as Kid A have sold such numbers, and I’m sure Thom and the boys were laughing all the way to the bank, however it led them into a musical deadend. “In Rainbows” was a nice record, much easier listening than HTTT, but what the heck happened to the band that could rock out? Like everyone else, I’m eagerly anticipating they’re next cd…if there will be one?