And just to get back on topic, which would be the best 10 albums of the last 25 years for people here?
Jeez, just 10? They were allowed 30. I'll make up for that by limiting myself to one per artist.
Lazily copy/pasted from my top 100 all-time:
1. Radiohead - OK Computer
2. U2 - Zooropa
3. R.E.M. - Automatic for the People
4. Beck - Sea Change
5. Weezer - Weezer [Blue Album]
6. Arcade Fire - Funeral
7. Prince - Sign o' the Times
8. Pulp - Different Class
9. The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses
10. Super Furry Animals - Radiator
I don't dislike Kid A, I am just really bothered by what you just mentioned, everyone hails it as so damn special simply because they only listen to RH and the latest indie minute sensation. It seems the world was more ready to embrace a rock band taking an electronic sidetrip in 2001 than they were in 1993 for Zooropa, which I rate higher for it's cohesion, content and conciseness. Whoa, I did not intend for those criteria to all start with C.
Thank you, PH. I disagree slightly about Cockropa being more cohesive than Kid A; the latter creates an atmosphere and wallows in it perfectly for that running time. It's very much of a piece. However lyrically it falls way short; especially when one knows that Yorke mostly threw a bunch of random overheard crap together. There's a palpable vibe, but it goes no deeper than that. Boner, on the other hand, is much more interesting in looking at how that oppressive modern world/technology permeates the different corners of our lives, how we interact with it and each other because of it.
Also, on a song-for-song basis I find Cockropa more impressive. IMO, there isn't anything on Kid A that hits the heights of the title track, LANCEMOM, or Serve (Faulted, So Close!)
And it should also be noted once again that Cockengers goes just as far from standard rock as Kid A does, and whaddaya know--it came out five years EARLIER.
Let me preface this by saying that I really like Zooropa, and I agree that it is one of Bono's strongest collective lyrical efforts. But I am going to have to disagree about it deviating from standard rock in terms of song structure. From my memory, every song on Zooropa is still in a 4/4 time signature and verse-chorus-verse structure. "Numb" and the title track are both experimental within those confines. On Kid A, however, the traditional song structures are ripped apart at the seams: unconventional chord changes, multiple time signatures, and unusual song structures. I also sense a coherent lyrical theme running though it; it's about fear of the unknown and distrust of conventional sources of information. It's essentially a post-modern image.
I'm not claiming that you suggested this, Laz, but Kid A's significance extends far beyond the incorporation of electronica.
The Wanderer is one of Bono's best lyrics. It's a shame it's such an overlooked track due to Cash being the vocalist.
Apparently the Arcade Fire worship has not spread across the pond, poll indie kids in America and they'd have your 1, 2 and 3.
For awhile I assumed the paranoia thing was an act/part of the band's image, until I started noticing pretty much any article about the band or Bellamy having quotes that proved he's really like that.
Are we talking about "The Wanderer" specifically?
Oh I don't think it's all an act or the image, and I do think it's a part of Bellamy's personality, but I dare say that aspect has been rather overblown by the media. I'm pretty sure he doesn't think about that stuff 24/7 and he does have a healthy sense of humour about his paranoid interests too.
I kinda agree about the lack of real emotional weight in Muse's music, apart from a few individual songs, but ultimately what hooks me about their stuff is the over-the-top drama and the sense of otherworldliness.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't we talking about synth bass as opposed just regular synth playing?
Also, I still think it suits the style of the album.