^^ definately agreed about the second time

I like Videotape, actually. Maybe it's because I never listened to any of these songs before today in any form, but the piano in it reminds me of "How I Made My Millions"

 

Everything is beyond words. I don't understand how so many people can write reviews for this album right now, considering that I'm basically speechless. hehe :D

Same! i just played bodysnatchers (again!) the guitars :| god!

:smug: i like!

Downloading it!! wooooohooooooooo :dance:

15 Step is amazing...while Videotape is a little disappointing.

15 Step surprised me BIG TIME. sooooo much much better than live! :wacko:

 

haven't come across Videotape yet.... :(

I agree with you on Videotape. Though it's actually a really good recording, I just can't help but think of how great the drums sounded when they played it last year.

 

Yep.

I've listened through a good 4 or 5 times throughout the day. I definately agree with amsterdam528 about multiple listens, especially if you're familiar with the live versions.

 

My initial reactions to 15 Step and Bodysnatchers were "uurgh?" then "aaah!"

Nude and Arpeggi were pretty much perfect.

I missed the piano in All I need at the start, but i'm growing to like it how it is. The ending's still one of the best peices of sound anyone's ever created.

Faust Arp I had no expectations of, and is a nice little song.

Reckoner... I kept willing the guitars and 'reckoner, pah pah pah!' to start, it's very different. Not sure which one I like more. I can't really make out the words in the new 'un, which is a petty as they're some of my favourite lyrics.

I miss the thumping from House of Cards but it's fantastic nonetheless.

Jigsaw falling into place (I never liked the name 'open pick') is wonderful. Far superior to the live version.

I am not disappointed in Videotape, I prefer it to all of the live versions. Except maybe the from the basement one. Maybe.

 

Fantastic album.

I fear videotape will become the 'black sheep'. so many people seem to dislike it, but then again can't judge an album this soon.

I misread 'black sheep' as 'black swan' and was about to leap to its defence.

 

I agree though, alot of people really loved that song, which is fair enough. I still prefer the studio version.

haha! :lol:

 

give it time i'd say.....our opinion will be totally different tomorrow, next week, next month.

 

i can't stop playing songs off this. on nude atm

I'm on nude too.

I can't think of a way they could have improved it.

Just listening to 15 Step! I fucking love it!! :heart: :dance:

all i need opening strings :dance:

I think i'm a bit behind you.

 

I'm not too sure about that 'pwaaaaaaoooi' noise in All I Need yet.

 

Piano kicking in.

Hmm. Glee ? Sure, I'll show glee. But I've got to be honest and say a few things that some of you probably will either disagree with or just not like. And this is coming from a die-hard Radiohead fan:

 

In general, I really think I like/love the album. I need more time with it though. Two sittings isn't nearly enough to soak everything in, even though on the whole, the album is very blunt/to the point. But here are my initial impressions song for song:

 

 

 

First off, a few general statements:

 

Thom's voice is F'ing PERFECT ! I mean, he pretty much nails everything (bar ONE song for me) in terms of isolation, range, harmony, sustain and everything else. (I'll get to the song in the blow by blow)

 

Phil: IMO, one of his more weak showings. I don't know if it's because he wasn't really into it or because of my next opinion:

 

The arrangements and compositions: I really feel that most of the compositions have outgrown the need for a lot of what Phil and Colin have brought to the table. It's possibly not their faults though. I'm sure the band is writing things thinking that the bass and drums must suit a logical purpose, but in a few songs, the drums and bass totally do NOT feel right or fit.

 

Furthermore, I think that the compositions call for more "mature" instruments, which Phil and Colin could easily have taken up (Colin plays an upright on YAWA, why not on this album ?).

 

The biggest example of this I feel is :

 

Nude. But I'll get into that as it is in order. So, to continue:

 

 

 

1. 15 Step: A boat load of fun, and certainly met or exceeded my expectations comparing to the live versions. I was expecting more from the "Matrix School kids", but that's alright. It's so catchy and makes me smile a lot. Groove worthy for sure.

 

2. Bodysnatchers: Straight forward and rocks, with a great interlude and chorus which really ties the ends together. Love this song... A lot.

 

3. Nude Should have left well enough alone. I'm disappointed on more than one level with this song. No, it's not so much that I mind the Organ being gone (was a fan of it though), and it's not even that I am too bent out of shape because of the beautiful missing verse either, no. Where this song fails ME personally, is in its arrangement.

 

I was praying for the omission of that really cheesy and out of place bass line. The beat from Phil helps none either... It's like there are two completely different songs here... Thom's voice and the song FLOWS rather smoothly, until the drums and bass line are made apparent. Even my wife, who I took to the NYC Madison Square Garden show and has really taken a liking to them ( and who is always humming the song) says that the drums make an otherwise smooth song sound somewhat chaotic.

 

I was also expecting more on the side of it being "Lush". Layers of strings and a chorus... where is that ? And the production... kind of cheesy IMO. The seemingly experimental panning at the end of the song with Thom's "Oooooooooh... Ooooooh OOOOOoooooooooh" stuff, is really um, don't know what else to say but.. it sounds stupid.

 

And his singing in general feels rushed. Like he's just sick of the song and wants to get rid of it. Well, I'd much rather of had them leave it the F alone in that case. I was really expecting something monstrous in terms of layering, strings and vocals. Instead, it just feels like.... it's there. Big let down for me. Perhaps It'll grow on me in time, but to be honest, I'll always cherish the San Fransisco version with Jonny on the glock... It has so much more emotion/conviction in it for me. Anyway, sorry for the rant, it's just that I've been looking forward to a studio version of it since it made its bones....

 

4. Arpeggi/Fisheeeeeee's ! Well, overall I think they did alright with it, but again, I'm not as impressed (yet perhaps?) as I thought I'd be. Vocals are fantastic, harmonies and all, and the drums are even pretty right on... I guess I was expecting less guitar and more strings. The main guitar riff really would be complimented by some cello's and perhaps some voila's etc...

 

5. All I need: Spacious, melodic and haunting at times. I really like what they've done with it.

 

6. Faust Arp ! Wow ! If ever there was a Radiohead song that reminded me of a Beatles composition, this would be it. I'm really pleasantly surprised by this track, and am especially pleased that it's doing it with a new song all together. This song is so inviting and peaceful, and reminds me of how Thom/RH can make such a simple song, a joy to listen to.

 

7. BAH BAH ... bah ? That is neither Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses or Reckoner, and ya know what ? It's GOD DAMNED FANTASTIC !! I mean, I truly LOVE the version of Reckoner that we've heard up until now.. "BAH BAH BAH !" But this is an entirely new song and a kick ass one at that.. The vocals are absolutely stunning ... Top notch. Funny... For some reason I want to hear the Ewoks singing this at the end of ROTJ. (I hate ewoks and George Lucas BTW).

 

8. House Of Cards: Um, Thom ? Do you think that you could thicken the god damned echo echo echo and REEEVERB any more than it is ? :whatever::censored::thumbsdown:

 

That being said, after the first verse settles in, I really grow to like the song a lot. But seriously, what's with all the damned reverb ? It's unnatural sounding and really doesn't make the atmosphere as sensual as they were probably thinking it would. On my stereo (ie: not stupid computer) it comes across really cold..which may or may not be the opinion of others. I'll have to check this song again, and again, and again. I'm sure I will....

 

9. Jigsaw/Falling to pieces: Did Phil record the drums in another studio and pipe the feed through a dixie cup to where the rest of the band were ? Or did he just opt for the "Llittle tyke" drum kit ? Production here sounds to my ears, a bit amateur-ish. Perhaps it's just the lax feeling of the drums... but to me it sounds like it was recorded with Garage Band or something.. well, the drums do anyway.

 

The guitars after the chorus remind me of "Hotel California", totally has that feel. But I do love the song in general. I need to listen to it more. (remember, these are pretty much initial impressions)

 

Finally.... 10. Videotape: People don't seem to like this one as much as they wanted to, and I'm on the opposite side of the fence here. I think it's almost perfect. It could have been less rushed (tempo needs a slowing down a tad) but the arrangement is just what this song needed as the final track. Phil's 'funeral-procession-esque' drum beat is perfect. It's a haunting track pulled off with precision and fluidity and makes the end" a serene place to be.

 

 

 

 

Well, that's what I"m thinking for NOW. I'm sure my impressions will change as I grow into the music or visa versa. Thoughts ?

haha nearly at the same listening point.

 

i'm not sure what you mean entirely, but i'll listen for it.

Nude is fantastic!! Thoms voice sounds so beautiful.

It took so much to drag myself away from the computer this morning to go do a presentation in class. So I compromised..... and skipped the 2nd class to come home and listen. :cool:

 

Enjoying muchly!

All I Need!!! Man, ive waited so long to hear a studio recording of this song!!

I have to say, Reckoner is quickly becoming a massive surprise favorite. Don't know anything about the original live versions... didn't like the youtube clip of it I saw... But WOW. I love it so much. :smug2:

:cry: i still haven't gotten my Email :cry: it's not even in my spam folder :cry: i waited up most of the night, just come home from college and it's still not here

Can't talk.

 

Too much to say.

 

Too good.

 

 

Still, i'm gonna try.

 

 

 

Holy shit it's fantastic. I love it from scratch to end. The versions of Nude, Arpeggi, Reckoner and All I need are terrific. Drums on videotape = great. The album is one of the most beautiful stereo experiences i've had since The Dark Side Of The Moon.

 

Faust Arp and Jigsaw are sooo sweet.

 

I'm gonna stop for now. I just finished listening to it, so I better let my brain calm down.

 

^ Reckoner is really great.

Sorry to hear that caru_politik.

 

If it comes to it you could always regegister and pay £0.00

Sorry to hear that caru_politik.

 

If it comes to it you could always regegister and pay £0.00

 

tried that....and i'm still waiting :dozey::cry: i have a maths test tomorrow and i can't concentrate :laugh3: