Radiohead has just started on a new tour – the first one in a long while – and it seems like the perfect time to release a compilation to cash in on the ensuing Radiohead frenzy. However, The Best of Radiohead is not a self-homage or a clever marketing ploy – at least, not one set forth by Radiohead directly. The album was arranged and produced by EMI, Radiohead’s former record label, with apparently no sanction from the band itself.

Now this is neither the time nor the place to wax intellectual about the state of the recording industry, or the fact that practically everybody casts labels and their executives in a bad light (they’re just like their hipster critics, except they don’t wear tight jeans or read pitchfork… well, most don’t). But we are provided with a compelling opportunity to examine a record purely for its choice of songs and arrangement – there is nothing new to be heard on The Best Of. After all, what Radiohead fan hasn’t dreamed of the best possible mix of all of their favorite songs? Although I haven’t looked, I’m confident you could find hundreds of specific playlists mixing and matching albums and eras or Radiohead to construct the perfect album.

So EMI had a chance to create something really awesome here. And they didn’t, really. But we all knew that would be the case, for two reasons. One, it’s a “Best of” album. It’s a compilation. Compilations aren’t made to be beautiful mixes that inspire you. They’re designed to cram every damn song that was pretty popular or catchy into one marathon of a record, with a couple random songs thrown in to appease fans. Second, they were never going to satisfy you anyways – that’s why you create your own perfect Radiohead mix CD. Read More

Radiohead have launched their very own on-line social networking website ala Facebook or MySpace.
The band have created a web-based forum called W.A.S.T.E. where fans and friends can share photos, details, view tour dates, and watch videos by Radiohead and other bands that Radiohead deem worthy of their attention.

In a message posted on the site April 3, the band wrote, “For those who are interested and want to stick around, we’ll be adding plenty more bits and pieces in the coming weeks and ironing out any wrinkles or annoyances the best we can. Hope you find something interesting to play with.”
The site is available for viewing pleasure at www.waste-central.com.

I have some good news for Radiohead fans:

Radiohead will begin their North American tour with a brief run in early May. Eight stops will make up the first leg of their tour. It starts in West Palm Beach on May 5th, and will hit such cities as Tampa, Atlanta, Houston, ends in Dallas on May 18th.

Radiohead will also go on a second, more extensive North American trek later this year, when they plan to perform in Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, New York, Philadelphia, and Seattle.

Guitarist Ed O’Brien says there are a few favorite songs he enjoys playing but the set list isn’t decided yet.

Radiohead is going on tour in support of the album “In Rainbows.”

-Steph

Image courtesy of Lion’s Mane

Radiohead is crediting the success of their popular “In Rainbows” album to their hit single, “Bodysnatchers.”

Guitarist Ed O’Brien recently discused the birth of their hit song. He says “Bodysnatchers was the first song that we really sort of half nailed… it was definitely sort of the first track that really had a vibe to it.”

The band had to take extra measures to help focus on their music. They took over two rooms of a dilapidated house and had them gutted so they could perform free of distraction. Radiohead will spend a good portion of 2008 on tour, with Europe already on schedule for the summer and North American dates expected to be revealed shortly.

I’m sure we at WBRU will be all over that and will let you know when the dates are released!

-Nicky G

After a week filled with hoaxes and cryptographs Radiohead announced that they are going to be releasing their new album, In Rainbows, October 10th and it will cost however much you are willing to pay for it (seriously). Read More

Colin from Radiohead and their producer, Nigel Godrich collaborated with a children’s charity arts organization in the UK. Said collaboration involved the children recording something for Radiohead’s next album. Rumor has it their 7th LP won’t have be out until 2008, but perhaps we can look forward to a epic children’s choir, or samples of british nursery rhymes. Now we play the waiting game…. To hell with the waiting game, I’m going to play hungry hungry hippos.