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Radiohead

Date: Jun 16 2003

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

British band Radiohead have been one of the most interesting and innovative bands in the world for the past 10 years. Music critics regularly praise their complex, complicated music and their loyal fans buy millions of their albums. Their third album, OK Computer, is considered by many people to be one of the greatest albums of all time.
Radiohead’s last two albums, Kid A and Amnesiac, have been somewhat difficult to listen to. Their sound is definitely an acquired taste. The strange digital noises and effects make the music kind of disturbing.
Luckily, Radiohead has returned to making music that just sounds beautiful. Their new album, Hail to the Thief, is full of great songs. Read on to learn more!

Dialog

1. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Recorded in late 2002, Hail to the Thief features many songs about fear and anger. Thom Yorke, the singer and songwriter, was strongly opposed to the war in Iraq. He wanted to do more to stop the war, but he felt helpless and frustrated.
Yorke’s feelings are captured in the lyrics from the first single from Hail to the Thief, which is titled “There There.” He sings:
In pitch dark, I go walking in your landscape
Broken branches, trip me as I speak
Just because you feel it
Doesn’t mean its there
Just because you feel it
Doesn’t mean it’s there
There’s always a siren, singing you to shipwreck
Steer away from these rocks
We’d be a walking disaster

Quizzes

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Discussion

Radiohead is a weird band. Each time I hear one of their new albums, I dislike it. I strongly disliked OK Computer for several weeks. Then, all of a sudden, something clicked. I was listening to it, and I loved it. Every song on the album sounded perfect to me.
Hail to the Thief is similar. I really didn’t like it the first few times I listened to it. But now that I’ve had time to it 10-15 times, I absolutely love it. I think it’s one of the best albums I’ve ever heard.
If you’re not a Radiohead fan already, give their music a chance. I bet you’ll like it!
Rock on,
Migs