Ben
Bot till proven otherwise
Posts: 20
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Post by Ben on Mar 27, 2023 11:17:24 GMT
mileswmathis.com/radiohead.pdf
He says Radiohead is dark. What exactly is "dark"? I think it has two forms, one good and one bad. Somber, introspective art and music is often described as dark, but it can clear the mind, calm the nerves and restore a sense of purpose. I think it is healthy and natural that people seek it. It is an escape from the constant distraction and sensory overstimulation of the modern world. But people's good instincts are turned against them and the good is mixed with bad. Everything that offers a sober mood is laced with themes of horror, despair, and hopelessness. You are presented with a false dichotomy between childlike obliviousness and fatalism. This is good dark: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWyG4wqU0TwAnd this is bad dark: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCJblaUkkfcTo be honest, I like both of them, but one makes me feel better after listening, and the other makes me feel worse. If I didn't know about the old music I'd probably be listening to Radiohead and feeling (more) miserable.
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Michael
Really good at convincing us he’s not a bot
Posts: 226
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Post by Michael on Oct 8, 2023 17:59:47 GMT
mileswmathis.com/radiohead.pdf
He says Radiohead is dark. What exactly is "dark"? I think it has two forms, one good and one bad. Somber, introspective art and music is often described as dark, but it can clear the mind, calm the nerves and restore a sense of purpose. I think it is healthy and natural that people seek it. It is an escape from the constant distraction and sensory overstimulation of the modern world. But people's good instincts are turned against them and the good is mixed with bad. Everything that offers a sober mood is laced with themes of horror, despair, and hopelessness. You are presented with a false dichotomy between childlike obliviousness and fatalism. This is good dark: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWyG4wqU0TwAnd this is bad dark: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCJblaUkkfcTo be honest, I like both of them, but one makes me feel better after listening, and the other makes me feel worse. If I didn't know about the old music I'd probably be listening to Radiohead and feeling (more) miserable. Well, I know I am very late to this party and I don't think @ben frequents these parts anymore. I will make the following observations about this paper. Firstly, It wasn't written by Miles but a guest author calling themselves Ana Friday. I do think it could have been much shorter with maybe more proof. It basically says that Radiohead are peerage brats with connections. Even if we couldn't have guessed that already I don't think they are really hiding it, having On the darkness, the author says, so pretty clear that they are referring to the bad darkness. I also think Yorke’s lyrics fail to communicate any ennobling truths. The darkness is often overwhelming, whether it’s in earnest or not. That sort of stuff glances off me now, but I can see it really messing up impressionable kids who don’t know how to filter those kinds of messages.To be honest, I don't think Radiohead were ever that popular in the UK, people (including me) like Creep. I liked The Bends and thought OK Computer was decent too but it was a pretty small group of somewhat morose, middle class kids that liked them. I think that was the plan (and I think there was probably a plan) it was the targeting of the middle class to make them feel rubbish about themselves (that amongst other things seems to have worked on me - I used to be a happy kid, honest!). The overwhelming darkness was definitely part of that, I wouldn't be surprised if it was too push cannabis, it is pretty well stoner music.
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Post by erwin on Oct 9, 2023 18:13:38 GMT
Reminds me again, that I am fortunate that my first language is NOT english. When I was young my English understanding was limited, and lyrics often cryptic, so they did not reach me.
I did listen to "The Bends" and "Kid A" back then. The composition/melodies and such were somewhat interesting. I like music to match different emotions, so gloomy music filled a gap there too.
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Michael
Really good at convincing us he’s not a bot
Posts: 226
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Post by Michael on Oct 16, 2023 10:32:10 GMT
erwin My first language is English and the meaning of lyrics more often than not sail straight over my head. There is a word for that but my brain hurts too much to think what it is. Big Pharma would probably call it ADHD and prescribe me some of that there fancy re-branded speed (or anything else they had written on the side of the pen they sent the GP.) P.S. That last bit is a reference to a British comedy routine, which I think was done by Alexei Sayle.
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