What Makes Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android” So Perfectly Uncomfortable

Radiohead evolved in leaps and bounds through their first four albums.  So when the third album OK Computer arrived with the lead single “Paranoid Android,” the audience was blown away.  Bends was an excellent album on its own, but this was on an entirely different level.  This was the first album produced …

Looking for My Song to Sing (3 Key Questions in Any Pursuits)

I’m doing vocals for the song I’m working on.  Vocals are always a bit of struggle for me.  I love to sing but what I hear in my head and what comes out are two different things. Vocal is one example of where the concept of “discovering who you are …

Affirming Your Importance Listening to Radiohead “Airbag”

I realize that Radiohead likes to engage in their cynicism more often than optimism, so the megalomanic lyrics in “Airbag” is probably something we shouldn’t take for its face value.  But the underlying music is so heroic and expansive, I can’t help being more naïve than cynical. Religious cliché aside, …

Songwriting Analysis: Radiohead “Idioteque”

Radiohead’s “Idioteque” off of the Kid A album is a hypnotic tune that’s become an unexpected crowd favorite and live staple.  Since it’s a rather understated tune, what’s in the song absolutely has to work in order for it to hold together and maintain the audience’s attention.  How do they …