What are your opinions on Thom Yorke?

[Buzzkill]

Originally Posted by Requiem Dunno, just don't see it at all. I get that they are influential, but not nearly as much as you're making it out to be. They had a lot of worldwide success I guess. But they have just as many 'Gold' albums as they do Platinum ones. OK Computer and Kid A were iconic sure for being way ahead of their time, but In Rainbows didn't really 'change' anything. Bands didn't start changing their business model because of it. It's been 4 years since its release, and it has had a negligible effect on the industry. The industry has been more affected by the internet and its users than any decisions by any bands. They are not the only band to have been pushing the music industry. I definitely don't believe they are the first band to 'progress' with each album. Off the top of my head, Trent Reznor comes to mind as equally influential as far as his music production and business model go. His genius can't be disputed, as he built an empire from literally nothing, starting as a custodian in a recording studio. Pretty Hate Machine went 3x platinum, and it was an album from 1989. NIN practically became a brand. He would have released The Slip for free regardless of if Radiohead had done it with In Rainbows. Not saying NIN is the best and most important either, because they definitely don't have the worldwide success that Radiohead had, but I don't think Radiohead are the ONLY band to have followed this pattern.

Not saying that they were the only ones to progress with each album, but just look at the mammoth difference between The Bends and Kid A. They sound like entirely different bands in different genres. But they are both absolutely genius and masterful, only in completely different ways.

And they just have so many effing good songs. Like every "great" band, you really couldn't do a "Best of Radiohead" CD, or even a double or triple CD imo. Theres a standard of excellence that is consistent across every album they release.