Earnie Shavers said:
Hmmmm, let me think about his for a minute....
Songwriting? Radiohead
Musical ability? Radiohead
Creativity? Radiohead
Depth? Radiohead
Lyrics? Radiohead
Best album vs Best album? Radiohead
Importance? Radiohead
I think the question should be; Name a category where Coldplay come out on top.
Ooh! I've got one: Radio play? Coldplay.
Songwriting? One group is more plain spoken in their lyrics but can be subtle in what they are trying to say. A band that writes with a more hopeful bent. Another group focuses on dross/ melancholy but with a little wit while trying not to be too hopeful. How can one compare one style and say its better than the other?
Musical ability? I'd say Radiohead has more musical ability but then this is a U2 board and the majority of posters/ fans here seem to believe musical ability isn't important b/c the more techinque/ skill you have, the less soul you have as well less ability you have in making good music. So does Radiohead really want to be known as a band with great musical ability when its looked down upon on this board.
Creativity? Creativity within their own sphere of music? Isn't everyone creative in their own way. That is a curious prerequiste to greatness. Creativity in rock music these days (or always) is more of how well you steal from others and make it into your own sound. Both bands do it. Both bands have progressed sonically. I could see it being about the same considering how X&Y sounds to be a big progression (just started listening). Computer blips, jazz, drum machines do not = creativity.
Depth Dunno. Another subjective criteria. What makes Radiohead seem more deep? Melancholy = depth?
Lyrics are relative IMO. Refer back to my comment on songwriting.
Best Album vs Best Album Wow. So basically one's subjective criteria versus another's. What makes a "best album?"
Importance
Before the release of X & Y, IMO Coldplay was stomping Radiohead in terms of importance. Why? The releases Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief and weren't as influential/ important to the mainstream and maybe even to the underground (i dunno, but my impression) as OK Computer. Some of Radiohead's luster was gone cuz of that. While Coldplay was all over the place blew way big b/c of A Rush of Blood.... Rush of Blood is not my favorite Coldplay album ever but I cannot deny it made a huge impact critically and commercially.
Radioplay = Unfortunately Coldplay wins on that one.
So with a lot of draws/ inconclusives and a few categories going to Coldplay.... Its obvious Coldplay is better than Radiohead