Thanks Kent, I'll check out OT. My guess is that if you got this from Mick it must be a slog thru ye old prog. I am a bit surprised that these Proggers around here don't have much use for Radiohead, particularly "Ok Computer" which I think is the best record of it's kind since, well, "Dark Side Of The Moon". I think the thing is when you say that though people expect the record to sound like Pink Floyd...not really the case...but it is a cohesive set of songs that create a definate atmosphere, have a great flow, killer sound and effects, and a sort of sci-fi futuristic storyline flowing through it all. It easily would place among the best records of it's decade, and more than likely will, as "Dark Side" was, be looked back on by future generations as a classic. It could be used as the soundtrack to a sci-fi film...not sure how it would go playing it along with "The Wizard Of Oz".
I saw the same concert on Direct TV that you mentioned. I believe the second half of it was taken from a show in Europe that they did for the new record, as songs were played from it. The show I saw on Wednesday evening was, in my opinion, much better. The comparisons to Pink Floyd keep coming up and I think this is understandable. I've seen Pink Floyd in person and I think if you want to draw comparisons (most people do) Radiohead is the only group that you could squeeze into that catagory. They combined an intense light show, with a couple of screens at the sides of the stage showing some trippy visuals, with all sorts of "rock star chemical smoke", and let fly with some wild versions of their studio material. I was quite impressed with the sound and their ability to pile on the layers without things turning into a muddy drone. The mix was fantastic. The thing that I found most interesting though was that although they are so well known for moody atmospherics and Yorke's sullen attitude, the songs were transformed in this live settting into a joyous celebratory head trip with Yorke dancing like a man possessed wearing a huge pumpkin like grin the whole time. The mood was light and fun with Yorke's few comments from the stage all being humorous. On the TV special they were portrayed as dark and serious and that's the general impression the media gives you of them. On this night though they seemed to be a bunch of guys just having a good time.
Certainly the crowd was having a good time as I think the fans at this show were some of the most dedicated as I've ever seen. They were going crazy, sceaming and dancing...yes dancing to Radiohead songs...I could only really compare them to the crazed crowds at some of the U2 shows from the "Joshua Tree" tour I saw in Boston. I would have to say that despite all the nonsense critics spew and the debates about whether or not they've sort of dissapeared up their own arse with their inclination to experiment, these guys are going to be in it for the long haul. Yorke's voice is capable of doing everything from whine to wail to scream to soaring above the music in an angelic falsetto. They did the big crunchy guitar thing and they propelled some of the songs along with such a relentless purcussive bent, "There There" would have made Stark Raving Brad cry tears of joy, that there was no doubt they can rock when they want to. They are certainly an interesting group and probably the guys that will assume the mantle of "Big Important Rock Band" of this particular time frame.
Still all that being said, I've gotta say that although there may be a particular political philosophy being expressed by Mr. Yorke and Radiohead on stage and record, t-shirts were being sold for maximum profit ($40 a shirt) at the concession stands only feet away from the stage. Welcome to the machine boys...come on in and have a cigar.
