Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Justin Hale]

Radiohead-lovers, state your case. I'll state mine. Listen - over the course of the next month - to the following Tool songs:

Reflection
The grudge
Ticks and leeches
Parabol
Parabola
46 and 2
AEnima
Jimmy
Intolerance
Swamp Song
10,000 Days Part II
Vicarious
Jambi
Right in two
Rosetta Stoned


How can Radiohead even compete? Convince me. And tell me every last detail.

Radiohead and Tool share some superficial things in common. They both do heavy stuff and light stuff (and are not generally commericial nor appealing to radio). They're both arty, abstract, perhaps a little pretentious at times. And Thom Yorke and Maynard look vaguely similar (no offence, Maynard).

I love Radiohead's OK Computer album, so no need to recommend anything off of that (and obviously Creep), but how about their stuff since? Gimme what you've got and let's see how it fares against Tool.

[JMO]

I listened to a few of those songs. I've never listened to Tool before and, well I'm glad.

Their songs are too long. They have this quiet, loud thing going on. Annoying and very 1992. They also have that annoying American thing, where dark=deep. The songs all sound similar in style..although maybe their from the same album.

I really cannot believe you compared them to Radiohead, a band that constantly changes up its game album to album and is probably the most talented band of the last 15 years. Who the hell are tool?

Radiohead are required listening. They never sit still and they do not have f*cking 4 minute pretentious ass lead in to songs like in 'parabola'. Probably worst song I've heard in a long time.

Yea i know...we go quiet at the start, then we go loud and people will think we are brooding geniuses. Good gameplan boys.


I reccomend everything they have done...listen to it all again and again until you can recognize how terrible Tool are.

[Khenan]

I'm a fan of Tool, but I wouldn't call myself a 'big fan.' JMO's comments vis-a-vis build-ups and "dark=deep" are well-stated (sorry for all the hyphens!), but they are definately top-notch (shit!) instrumentalists. I've been listening to their music for years... longer than Radiohead, now that I think on it... and it is definately good.

However, JMO's note that Radiohead constantly changes up their music cannot be overlooked. Whereas I consider myself a fan of Tool, and I might even put them in my top 10, Radiohead is far and away my favorite group, and has been since the Bends. Every single album is solid, down to the last song. Even the songs that I didn't used to like always work their way into my heart (exception: Creep - funny that you mentioned this one). Not only is each and every album ... well ... awesome, but every album is also different. Distinctly different - which is something you cannot say about Tool without first injesting some serious psychotropic shit.

The lyrics of both groups are fantastic - and are both essentially incoherant upon the first listen or twelve. And, as I noted, the instrumentals are great in both, although I would give the edge to Radiohead.

Listen to (discounting OK Computer):
(Nice Dream)
Sulk
Street Spirit (Fade Out)
Everything in its Right Place
How to Disappear Completely (and Never Be Found Again)
Idioteque
Knives Out
Like Spinning Plates
Backdrifts
I Will
A Wolf at the Door
15 Step
Wierd Fishes - Arpeggio
Faust Arp
Videotape

I remember when Kid A came out, after The Bends and OK Computer. I had heard that they were making an "electronica" album, and I was very worried that my favorite band was about to suck, even though I like electronic music. It came out, it was awesome, and I have never doubted them since. Every time a new album comes out, some people are worried that they've peaked. I just think back to my doubt of Kid A, assume it'll all be alright, and they reinvent themselves to greater heights every time.

I'm not sure it's really possible to "convince" you that Radiohead > Tool, so I'm not really trying - merely sharing my own thoughts and experiences.

[ernie]

i really don't see how the two bands are comparable, since their styles are so far apart... i like them both, but i can't say whether one is better than the other... it depends on what i feel like listening to...

[Justin Hale]

[yawarakaijin]

In my life there has only ever been ONE cd that I could start from track one and listen through all the way to the end, loving every track. That cd is The Bends. A simply amazing compilation.

[JMO]

[Bibbitybop]

[mrgiles]

yeah i think it's a strange, and, in some ways, unfair comparison. their similarities are superficial: the only telling one i can think of is that they both are working in the prog-rock tradition. tool has their own aesthetic, that has perhaps developed, but fundamentally has remained the same. radiohead's sound has distinguishably altered (altho, i think it's fair to say that the bends isn't really that much different to ok computer, and ok computer in turn ain't really too much different from kid a - i mean in themes and dynamics) throughout the years, and they have achieved many different kinds of success. they have made a massive pop-"grunge" tune, a great alterno-rock album, a brilliant "concept" album, a glitch-pop masterpiece etc. the only criticism i have had is that the music is always so terribly sad. thom yorke is actually a funny *beep*, so i think it's a little disappointing - maybe even a bit dishonest - to not have a few songs that are not dismally depressing. altho this new album is nowhere near as dark, so perhaps i can't moan about that anymore. still, if u wanna make some sort of value judgement, definitely it's radiohead over tool. still love tool tho...

[Justin Hale]

[Underwaterbob]

from: McLusky - To Hell with Good Intentions

my love is bigger than your love
we take more drugs than a touring funk band
sing it
my love is bigger than your love, sing it
my love is bigger than your love, sing it

my band is better than your band
we've got more songs than a song convention
sing it
...


Discussing the merits of music/musicians: great!
Pissing contests: bad!

[JMO]

[Justin Hale]

Radiohead will be remembered solely for being absolutely miserable bastards. Granted Radiohead are good when there's a tune in there fighting to get out, but (sorry Khenan), this stuff on Kid A is absolutely ghastly.

[Tarmangani]

Radiohead is great if you just want some background music while you're reading or eating dinner, or when it's getting late and you don't want to play anything that might disturb the neighbors.
But then in every other circumstance I would listen to Tool instead of Radiohead. I think the OP listed too many long Tool songs and didn't include many of the edgier and wonderfully vulgar Tool songs such as h., hooker with a *beep*, prison sex, stinkfist, jerk-off, hush, or opiate.
But I don't mind the long songs, maybe it's the American in me.

[Bibbitybop]

Where's Jinju on this Radiohead debate?