Introducing Radiohead to a guy who likes Linkin Park...

Loren Michael

I'm trying to introduce Radiohead to a Chinese guy who likes stuff like The Eagles and Linkin Park, so I figure the best way to accomplish this is to make a mix or the Radiohead stuff I think he'd like the most.

I own pretty much the entire discography, including the EPs. I'm sure I'm missing one or two that I've forgotten about, but I have pretty much everything that's important.

I figure, this guy likes some classic-ish rock and nu metal, so I'll probably working with most of the faster-paced stuff from The Bends, and maybe a few of the dance-ey, rap-ey stuff from their later albums, like maybe A Wolf at the Door. (It Girl. Rag Doll.), and/or Idioteque, and maybe try and sneak in a little of the crazier electronic stuff as well. I'm also thinking Cut Tooth [#], from the Knives Out US EP, and I don't know if I should include any live stuff or not.

Here's the stuff that I have thrown into my iTunes "Radiohead for people who like Linkin Park" playlist so far. Any other suggestions would be appreciated (put this song in/take that one out!), as well as any suggestions for how best to arrange these songs. I know there's a lot of good stuff missing, but he apparently hates anything that's "slow" or "calm".

There There. (The Boney King of Nowhere.)
Cut Tooth [#]
Optimistic
2 + 2 = 5 (The Lukewarm.)
I Might Be Wrong
Bones
Where I End and You Begin. (The Sky Is Falling In.)
Backdrifts. (Honeymoon Is Over.)
Electioneering
Paranoid Android
Just
Sulk
Black Star
Idioteque
Planet Telex [Hexidecimal Mix]
A Wolf at the Door. (It Girl. Rag Doll.)

DarkPrimus

Airbag and The Trickster would make good additions.

I think you've got too much Hail to the Thief material on there, personally.

thorpe

I'd throw in "Let Down" as well, and maybe "Karma Police."

Sam

maybe he should grow out of Linkin Park first?

It took me a while to love Radiohead. I never actually liked them. I went from indifferent/somewhat interested to loving the music over 3 months or so of having it on the iPod. It started with OK Computer for me, then the Bends, then Kid A, and so on.

Anyway, as someone who loves their music a lot, I'd have to say keep the albums together. I don't think they're a band best experienced through playlists just because their albums are so...self contained.

Hewn

OK Computer is the album to start with. "Airbag" made me a believer.

Lewisham

Kid A is a challenging album, I didn't get it after OK Computer, but now I think it's some of their best work. I agree with Hewn, just toss over a copy of OK COmputer.

chuck steak

DarkPrimus wrote: »

Airbag and The Trickster would make good additions.

I think you've got too much Hail to the Thief material on there, personally.

I'd say Hail to the Thief is the most accessible though. Go To Sleep is a must.

Sam

chuck steak wrote: »

DarkPrimus wrote: »

Airbag and The Trickster would make good additions.

I think you've got too much Hail to the Thief material on there, personally.

I'd say Hail to the Thief is the most accessible though. Go To Sleep is a must.

I love that song but it's not for everyone.

DarkPrimus

Hail to the Thief was my first album, but if you're just trying to give him a sample of all their work, I think you need a little more of the earlier stuff too.

Homestar Gunner

Myxomatosis is a good one. Sit Down, Stand Up might be a good option too if you want to test this guy without going overboard.

Then again, judging by the suggestions and your original ideas, you might as well just give him a copy of Hail to the Thief.

I only have Hail to the Thief (which I have had for a grand total of about six days) and OK Computer.

And if he hates anything that's "slow" or "calm," then he doesn't really like The Eagles. He likes a few Eagles songs, maybe, but a good portion of Eagles songs, from what I've heard, are the epitome of both slow and calm. Paradox, perhaps?

Speakeasy

The Bends and OK Computer are the way to go for an introduction. A good blend of Rock and electronic elements.

Skip Pablo Honey.

Eventually, he'll like Hail to the Thief, and then from there onto their best material (in my opinion) Kid A/Amnesiac.

Homestar Gunner

Oh - better yet, maybe even start with bands that are like Radiohead, but aren't. Muse comes to mind.

Actually, Muse is the only thing that comes to mind, because they're pretty much the only Radiohead "spinoff" (I use that term jokingly, don't attack me, Muse fans; I am one of you) band that doesn't employ constant usage of a piano.

I suppose to get my point across, I should tell you I have a friend that is very much into metal (among other things, but that's not important). A few years ago, Absolution was his Christmas gift from me. To this day, he still tells me it is one of his favorite albums.


Anybody actually think this is a decent idea? Or would this person simply end up liking Muse instead?

Loren Michael

Muse is actually a good idea, I think. I'm not a huge fan beyond a couple of songs, but they definitely err on the side of fast arena rock in a Radioheadesq way.

Maybe in a month I can be like, "hey, here's the band that Muse is a cheap facsimile of".

(no offense)

Azio

You might also try feeding him The Eraser first. It's a lot like Radiohead, but more accessible.

Afty

Well i like Linkin Park, Muse and radiohead. Gasp !

First radiohead song i ever heard was street spirit and i was hooked, give that whirl.

ASimPerson

Homestar Gunner wrote: »

Oh - better yet, maybe even start with bands that are like Radiohead, but aren't. Muse comes to mind.

Actually, Muse is the only thing that comes to mind, because they're pretty much the only Radiohead "spinoff" (I use that term jokingly, don't attack me, Muse fans; I am one of you) band that doesn't employ constant usage of a piano.

I suppose to get my point across, I should tell you I have a friend that is very much into metal (among other things, but that's not important). A few years ago, Absolution was his Christmas gift from me. To this day, he still tells me it is one of his favorite albums.

Heh, I actually got into Radiohead because I was (and am) a huge Pink Floyd fan and people kept telling me, "Dude, if you like Pink Floyd you'll like Radiohead!"

So I got Kid A and, amazingly enough, liked it.

Descendant X

If you are giving him that mixtape, put The National Anthem on there.

Seattle Thread

I think your list looks pretty good, actually. More down-tempo songs like "Let Down" probably aren't going to suit his tastes, so maybe save those for the second Radiohead mixtape you make for him.

Sam

I'd agree but Let Down is like the quintessential Radiohead song no?

Jeedan

Start with the bends stuff and then get weirder.

In fact, start with Creep.

EggyToast

Has the guy expressed interest in Radiohead, or are you pushing it on him? I'd say that dictates what goes on the CD more than anything else. If you're pushing it on him, I'd suggest a progression of songs from "normal" to "strange" so he gets the full spectrum.

Don't be discouraged if he's not into it, if he hasn't expressed interest. Not everyone likes everything.

Gihgehls

OK Computer.

cooljammer00

he likes the Linkin Park of old? The rap/rock thing?

I dont know if you can really "force" Radiohead onto a person like that. They just have to listen to it and if they like it, then good. I personally like both. Not Linkin Park's new stuff.

IreneDAdler

I have to agree with cooljammer. Radiohead is much too different in style (*cough*musicalvalue*cough*) to introduce someone who likes fratboy music. (/snob)

Having said that, my personal favorite is OK Computer too, with Hail to the Theif a close second (though it took me a while to absorb; I think I had to listen to it about 3 times through before stuff started making sense, and now "Where I End and YOu Begin" is one of my favorite songs). I hate hate hate "Airbag," no idea why. But "Climbing Up the Walls" is right up there with "Paranoid Android" as must-listen.

Arikado

Start off with showing him some live performances. Radiohead is miles above most other bands when it comes to playing live. Songs like "Paranoid Andriod," "There There," and lots of others. You should check out for their recording for the BBC they did back in...I wanna say 2000...not sure. There's the live on SNL performances of "Idioteque" and "National Anthem" that are classic. Or their live Glastonbury or Coachella festival performances.

If these performances slide off him, then it's a lost cause.

Wyvern998

Bishop's Robes and Talk Show Host are a must, the latter especially.

Tav

Yay for musical elitism! Ain't nothing wrong with a bit of Linkin Park (Their earlier stuff is quite ok).

How about just giving him your favourite Radiohead CD and ask him to listen to it. Jeez, if he appreciates your taste then he'll listen to it instead of you trying to force him to like it.

cooljammer00

Tav wrote: »

Yay for musical elitism! Ain't nothing wrong with a bit of Linkin Park (Their earlier stuff is quite ok).

How about just giving him your favourite Radiohead CD and ask him to listen to it. Jeez, if he appreciates your taste then he'll listen to it instead of you trying to force him to like it.

well, the OP is trying to make a Best Of mixtape. he doesnt want to just throw an album at him.

LewieP

Anyone who doesn't like Everything in it's right place has no soul.

I also suggest electioneering

Drez

I'll concur with what other's have said or implied: OK Computer is the most palatable album for newcomers and probably the best advertisement for Radiohead altogether for newfolk.

Azrael

Just give him an album and if he finds it the musical equivalent of being in a car filling with monoxide then let it be. Why is his being Chinese relevant here?

Divider

But yeah - Ok Computer - great album, it got me hooked to Radiohead - it should do the same to almost anyone new to the band.

covet_tron

You shouldn't discount Pablo Honey altogether. Include, "You" it has great rock elements

Page-

Id say "Climbing Up The Walls" for general awesome. "Karma Police" is hard to resist for anyone. If you can get your hands on a few b-sides then "Killer Cars" is really rockin'. "Morning Bells" and its remix are nice and catchy. "There, There" is one of their best 'rock' songs.

Who can't like Radiohead? C'mon.

Kimihiro

When my friend first sent me some Radiohead songs, I wasn't really into their music for about a week or two. Then I suddenly realized the genius of "Climbing up the Walls" and from there went to Street Spirit and Karma Police and Paranoid Android and Lucky and...well, I got addicted.

I don't know if I'd recommend The Eraser right away though. I LOVE IT TO DEATH, but even though there's a higher tempo to the songs it kinda has that...weird factor that first turned me off of them way back when, before I was a believer.

Personally, the Bends is my favourite album, but I'd go with the topic and start with OK Computer.