survey says

[thecolorblue]

radiohed -- uplifting or depressing?

(ok sure there are songs that go on either side of this debate, but overall, do you find radiohead more depressing or uplifting? i think maybe thom yorke's voice inspires people toward depression but in general i find their music meditative and uplifting.)

Comments

[kineticfactory]

I don't think it's an either/or. IMHO, melancholy music generally doesn't so much depress as resonate with those who are receptive to that sort of thing, (who may or may not actually be feeling down), in a way that a forcefully cheery, sugary pop song could only grate.

There is music which is actually depressing, such as New Waver's The Defeated. It's a collection of techno/electro sequences with samples from nature documentaries (focussing on Darwinian survival), self-help tapes and crisis hotlines over it. Even if you're in the best mood at the start, you'll feel depressed after listening to it.

[thecolorblue]

interesting about resonating. this is actually sort of what i said in my original radiohead (IRL!) discussion. it's like kandinsky, but slightly less abstract. you can see what you want to see in it. to me, everything in its right place will always be an uplifting song. even if i'm in a sad mood, it makes me feel better. apparently, other people find it kind of depressing -- everything in its right place suggesting OCD. i think this is the beauty of radiohead -- no two people hear exactly the same thing.

[misworded]

you can see what you want to see in it...i think this is the beauty of radiohead -- no two people hear exactly the same thing.

Well put.

[pennylane8]

Totally depends on my mood, I guess...can be either for me, but generally, I kinda feel uplifted, I think....in a mellow, meditative way.

[thecolorblue]

i think some people might interpret mellow/meditative as depressing. mayhaps therein lies the difference?

[rollingdome]

i have struggled with similar questions concerning radiohead. i have made repeated attempts to approach their music from... well, at all

[thecolorblue]

wow really long and thoughtful response. thanks :)

are you still studying music stuffs?

[rollingdome]

Yeah! I should be taking cello lessons, but I'm not. But I'm still getting better, I think.

Picked up the fretless electric bass. I'm going to ask an illustrious friend of mine to give me lessons.

Doing some stuff with Pd (the free cousin of Max/MSP).

I'm at a rather critical point in my life, and I was thinking of taking my vacation just before quitting my job as a psychiatrist's secretary. Thoughts on San Francisco?

! jms ?

[thecolorblue]

yes please come to SF! we'd love to have you. :)

[misworded]

100% DEPRESSING. It's funny you ask, because recently I was feeling kind of down and thought to myself "hmm, maybe I should switch from my obsessive trance and listen to my other beautiful, yet sad music." Then I thought "nah, I'd much rather escape" and put on some more trance. Radiohead is music for rainy days. Sit Down, Stand Up to be specific. Yes.

I'm curious what about it is uplifting to you. I don't really listen to lyrics much, it's just his voice and the minor keys that get me, I guess.

[thecolorblue]

hmm i don't ever get depressed listening to radiohead, except a few songs (like street spirit).

i guess i'm the kind of person who finds beauty in melancholy, so that's what i find uplifting about it -- it's just totally beautiful and the lyrics are really philosophically interesting.