First Listen - "Idioteque" by Radiohead (Hip Hop Fan Reacts)

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[@athanasiospapadopoulos6582]

The Kid A album was designed explicitly to be a departure from the sound and style that they cultivated from their debut up to OK Computer. Radiohead were told that if they made another album like OK Computer then they would become one of the biggest bands in the world, but they didn't want to make an album similar to OK Computer, so they made Kid A... and became one of the biggest bands in the world anyway.

[@SenorGooch]

You have it a bit backwards. The industry wanted them to make “The Bends 2” so they said screw it and made OK Computer. OK Computer blew up and Thom was so burnt out from huge shows and sudden stardom that they created Kid A while in a very mentally messed up space. Kid A will stick with me forever, as will their entire discography

[@themadcow71]

I'm jealous I can't experience Radiohead for the first time.

[@bendransfield6367]

I'm sure your first time was pretty cool though, where did you start? I was born in 2000 and missed out until I heard Creep when I was about 6. I know it's a cliché but it was the first time a song made me cry, I'd grown up with pop so was shocked that a song could explore those kind of feelings. It took me a few years to realise they're not a grunge band

[@christopherpope1800]

Know what you mean. 1st time listening to Paranoid andriod blew my mind.

[@themadcow71]

@@bendransfield6367 I heard some tracks before OK Computer but that album started it all. I've seen them live a bunch of times. I feel very lucky.

[@veevamm3642]

Yes!

[@galvestoncandlecompany5696]

My first time was live

[@rohnnyjotten3985]

The live version of this song on ' I Might Be Wrong - Live Recordings ' is mindblowing, the mix of drum loops and Phil playing organic drums over it is amazing, and the breakkdown near the end to then explode is a treat for the ears.

[@BrianMihok]

Yes agree 100%. Syed, this is worth your time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH_Pfnmhp6uZnLM

[@Jeremy-hx7zj]

The SNL performance of this song is pretty incredible too

[@veevamm3642]

100%

[@arnodk2852]

Is that the live version they used to show on MTV Europe all the time back in the day? because that version sounded so much better than the album version (I like the album version as well though). edit: I found it, it's from the 2001 Later... With Jools Holland performance (the video is called Radiohead - Idioteque (best live performance). Anyway, they used to show that all the time on MTV Europe (I'm from South Africa, but we had the European version of MTV. Nowadays MTV is just a bunch of shitty reality shows.)

[@James-lk2sg]

Everything In It’s Right Place. Another really different, strange, but classic Radiohead track from Kid A.

[@ryanedwards4512]

Kid A and Amnesiac are incredible

[@simonread8713]

I remember the first time I heard it. Sounded like music from another dimension.

[@RS-zt5zj]

Kid A is a CRAZY album man. They tossed aside basically everything they knew and started from scratch. This is definitely the most 'Kid A' of the Kid A songs, but Everything In Its Right Place is up there (and really, every song from the record is super unique except perhaps Optimistic.)

[@SaoLorenco]

i won't hear a bad word against Optimistic. Love that track. And I can't think of anything that sounds like it.

[@RS-zt5zj]

@@SaoLorenco I love that track too, but the majority of the track gives me OK computer vibes. Thats just me tho Its def the most conventional kid A song

[@mysteriouspikachuman]

@@RS-zt5zj Definitely but I fucking love that song

[@joshuajamesdwyer]

They performed this on SNL along with the National Anthem. Amazing performance. You should watch the live version.

[@othermotte]

Any of the Glastonbury versions bit always loved this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/oImQl3eBjKyViNU

[@rugby342]

Both songs are amazing and while the video quality isnt great i still watch the SNL performance.

[@memetherapy]

How do you manage to stop yourself from checking out full albums? Kid A is a fucking trip and needs to be appreciated as an album. The transitions are stupid amazing.

[@ijustneedmyself]

I wonder the same, but then I remember people's attention spans are shorter these days. A lot of people just listen to playlists instead of full albums. It is different for reactors though because they get views and money for listening to music so that would prevent them from checking out what they have been paid to listen to on their channel. I wish KZbin was around when I was discovering music in my early 20s 😂

[@Dragonpuncher123]

“Faster Jonny”

[@simonread8713]

Pretty much every single show, haha.

[@barrington6151]

this isn't how a song should be experienced for the first time

[@russellsearch7925]

Great track from their masterpiece Kid A. They were so adventurous and experimental on this album. It still astonishes me to this day.

[@Johro66]

It's an awesome track.. and yes Kid A was a departure and waaaaaay ahead of its time. Idioteque on the album transitions beautifully into Morning Bell, which I think you'll also love. Radiohead are SO much more than a guitar band, as I'm sure you'll discover Loved the reaction ❤ and that you love this track it's one of my favourites. Kid A is a trip. A journey.

[@JamesWhoMakesGames]

Just found your channel through recommendations, and I'm hooked. Love hearing music reactions from people who actually have insights, knowledge and something to say about the music! So many reactors out there adding nothing.

[@Ford_TImelord]

I've read they were really influenced by DJ Shadow's 'Endtroducing' and Aphex Twin through the OK Computer and Kid A albums and it shows. Good on them for risking it all even though some of the old fans were put off.

[@jean-christophelebachelet5926]

And Bjork, she invitefd Thom Yorke in her personnal studio, after That he understood that Radiohead could'nt make music the way they did !!!

[@abody499]

First time I saw DJ Shadow was in 97, supporting Radiohead.

[@winkipodlife2866]

How is it they have the best taste possible? ☠️

[@pubgrundy]

The deep dive of this song is fascinating. That 4 chord "riff" that runs through the song is taken from one of the earliest fully computer generated songs, "Mild und Leise", by Paul Lansky. Its a very odd sounding track made with a supercomputer (in 1973) that was programmed using paper punchcards. In the midst of this incredibly odd, random piece of music, these *5* notes come from nowhere and stand out as having a very unsettling effect when you hear it. They dont sound random, like the rest of the song, they sound of completely belonging together. They also make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and my skin crawl. I can completely understand why Jonny Greenwood immediately wanted to sample it for this song. He drops one of the notes, likely for timing, but it still works so well. I see this track as a doomsday track about climate change: ice age coming, whos in the bunker, women and children first and the indifference of society who are distracted with mobiles squirking and having "everything all of the time".

[@chazybrewster]

Yes! Such a fantastic song. You should do some more tracks from Kid A for sure!

[@Radioghost717]

This is the first song I ever heard from Radiohead and it was addicting. I was a freshman or sophomore in high school in 2001-2002, and I was in the marching band. We were coming home from a competition, and all the upper classman were rocking this song in the back of the bus, so loud you could hear it all the way up front where us freshman were sitting. I’ll never forget hearing this song and saying What is that?!!! Been hooked on Radiohead ever since.

[@Asher8328]

You should check out live versions of this song. It's amazing how well they perform it.

[@tjames4025]

Goes clear back to Wagner. Adding meat: The “Mild und Leise” chord progression Radiohead used was itself “sampled” by Lansky from a leitmotif of the Richard Wagner opera Tristan und Isolde. Idioteque contains a further sample from the “Short piece” by Arthur Kreiger. (We would gladly thank anybody who can find and link some mp3 or video evidence of these two references).

[@NGHmusic]

Something about that snare gives me goosebumps.

[@jffullum4325]

Radiohead are freaking amazing. So innovative in every way. They always surprise me.

[@michaelmueller8772]

Ice-age comin', Ice-age comin'. Absolutely electrifying.

[@joeduncan08]

Really insightful commentary on this. I've been a Radiohead fan for almost 20 years and you've given me some new insight into a favourite song of mine. Cheers mate, subbed!

[@ziggymarlowe5654]

Wow, loved this! The syncopated motif makes this so interesting, catchy. Definitely on my replay list.

[@meg_246]

fun fact “how much a dollar cost” by kendrick lamar samples radiohead’s “pyramid song”, both are amazing

[@FredGarnett]

Great reaction Syed, as ever. This is my favourite Radiohead album and all of it is worth listening to ;) keep the reactions coming! Thanks...

[@briancullen9575]

I’ve loved this song (and album) for years, but seeing the lyrics on the screen during this just now brought it to a whole new level.

[@maddiemac55530]

I am so happy that you really like my absolute favorite song in the world! You are so right that it is ahead of it’s time!

[@stephencrowley3939]

Yeah, one of the amazing things about Radiohead is that they can play everything from country music to avante garde experimental jazz, and everything in between, and they still sound brilliant. Look at them as a modern day Pink Floyd.

[@_bats_]

It's wild to me how many different takes people have on this track in particular. It seems to ebb and flow between people thinking it was dated/awkward at the time of its release, to thinking it was new and brilliant at the time, others who agree but think it hasn't aged very well, others who think it was forward-thinking and genius and still relevant now. I can definitely see the Death Grips connection, but I do also see the heritage here from 90s UK electronic music but through a really unique lens that probably comes from Radiohead being weird and sad and Radiohead, and also unique takes on putting the instrumentation together because their background *is* in guitar-based music rather than electronic stuff. So, very cool idea if you ask me, very paranoid, great and timeless track.

[@shadowchasernql]

i personally think it's kind of clunky but also aged in a neat way, like you don't see too many "idol worship" bands put out music like this anymore. as stupid as some of these songs are, it's kind of cool how "from the heart" they are.

[@coxfire]

One of the best live performance I've ever experimented. The music, the lights, the imagery and all around atmosphere was a surreal experience on this song. They are just brillant

[@Jeremy-hx7zj]

Its almost eerie how well radiohead predicted the alienation and isolation that would come with the advancements in tech and communications

[@liferiot]

Yeah, Kid A sounds like it just came out. It's insane. I can't believe I got to be on the streetteam for that album.

[@lauramason4403]

So many songs from Kid A and Amnesiac are in this vein but this is 100% my favourite Kid A song. I love how the lyrics feel so politically and morally charged (to me at least). And I had a similar experience to you; I was blown away once I heard this song and saw Radiohead and Thom from a completely new perspective. Loving your Radiohead and Nirvana reactions 👍🏻

[@crimson1193]

Great reaction! I really wish you'd do these 3 albums: OK, Kid A, and In Rainbows. Other than Pink Floyd I think these 3 are the main 3 albums worth listening front to back in rock music.

[@submarin777]

I am 39yo and never heard of them until 3 years ago i found them randomly on youtube. Every single album they released is a vip trip to a whole new world of their musical hipnosis

[@ruilopes00]

I'm confused but glad you found them

[@edwinglenn]

I saw this live at Bonarroo 2006 out in a field with 80,000 people throwing glow sticks around. It was amazing.

[@christofcurlz6180]

“Kid a” - the whole album is one big song designed for one good listen. Beautiful trance. Great reaction!!

[@tomaslongoria2449]

Their SLN performance when they played this and “national anthem” was mesmerizing!

[@PanarchyInTheUK]

UNKLE - PSYENCE FICTION (1998) is a very interesting album, Thom Yorke guests with Rabbit In Your Headlights and there's a ton of other talent on there. Well worth checking out and the entire album has a distinct vibe so it's worth doing it in its entirety.

[@argkitsune]

Some recommendations: Videotape (preferably the Bonnaroo or Basement versions imo) You And Whose Army? Pyramid Song Nude Bodysnatchers Weird Fishes/Arpeggi Like Spinning Plates True Love Waits (live in Oslo and studio) Motion Picture Soundtrack 2+2=5 Life In A Glasshouse My Iron Lung Myxomatosis Fake Plastic Trees Burn The Witch Jigsaw Falling Into Place Daydreaming Subterranean Homesick Alien Spectre Knives Out Just I Might Be Wrong Electioneering 15 Step No Surprises Let Down You The Tourist Airbag Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors Morning Bell I Will Anyone Can Play Guitar (Live at the MTV Beach House)

[@Charlie1821]

Kid A came out during my Senior of High School. It could not have captured my generation's transition into a digital world more perfectly.

[@seajaytea9340]

So glad that you finally listened to this song. It is amazing (imho)! Listen to more from Kid A, you will not be disappointed. They are a true successor to Pink Floyd in their fearless approach to making music.

[@coffeejabberwocky]

Never seen you before. Just popped on my feed randomly... Properly cogent reaction. I'll check out more of your reactions 💯. Peace from Manny 😎

[@apolloking8736]

Spot on with the death grips comparison loved the video as always man keep up with radiohead their a well that just keeps giving

[@joeyattaway756]

Kid A is an ode to the decay of the grind. The hopelessness in hopefulness and the hopefulness in Hopelessness.

[@decomperson]

Hey man, was sick seeing you get into this as it went along. A lot of the electronic work they accomplish on Kid A was an inspiration for Death Grips, so making that connection is really cool on your initial listen. Most of the inspiration for Kid A's electronic palette was inspired by some of the things that Aphex Twin and Burial were doing around that time. Since you enjoyed this so much, I'd recommend you to watch a live performance of this song after the year 2017, where I think the song sort of took it's perfect final route into what it was originally intended to be. There's a really good performance of it in Argentina from 2018 I believe.

[@trentboyd5919]

There will never be another band like Radiohead again

[@mhtbfecsq1]

In the live version they do a nice little thing in the breakdown section using a modular synth.

[@rugby342]

A few of my favorite bands of the 90's are not well known but are still making new music today and are all great live........Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Ben also had several other bands over the years. JJ Grey & Mofro, he is from Florida bringing a soulful swamp rock sound to your ears and the last band is from the UK and they get played around here at least every other week, its a Trip-Hop band called Morcheeba. Skye Edwards has a beautiful, soothing voice and many of their songs feel like the belong in a Bond movie. Watch the Morcheeba Rockplast 2018 concert, it is great.

[@pubgrundy]

Those lyrics are wrong. The Chorus is "Here I'm allowed everything all of the time"

[@padgemahaj3167]

This track was influenced by aphex twin thom said when he made this album he was listening to a lot of the idm that was coming out of the warp Record label and Björk was another big influence on this album If you haven’t listened to Björk or aphex twin id highly recommend you do and your correct I love death grips and your right ido hear the connection

[@willem-janageling3907]

And Autechre!

[@tommj4365]

Yea I remember when I first overheard it, thought it was Aphex Twin

[@tommj4365]

Thom and bjork sang together on the dancer in the dark soundtrack... frickin brings me to tears every time

[@olibertosoto5470]

This is a great band - heard something about them getting back together! Great breakdown 👍🏼

[@ferdiaobrien3238]

Interesting note: The samples from idioteque were taken from Paul Lanskys Mild und Leise, which was recorded in 1973

[@davewaring73]

I've been singing, "here we are, every night on the town" for years."

[@AyyyGabagool]

Definitely check out more radiohead on this channel!

[@julienmgastonmercier]

LOVE death grips man.. glad you mentioned em.. but my god does this band have more to offer you

[@galvinklatt5273]

You’d be surprised at how many sounds from Radiohead that you don’t think are guitars are actually guitars. Johnny Greenwood is a sound tech/creative of the highest order.

[@sparko2012]

I read years ago that Thom was heavily influenced by ModeSelektor when writing this, he loves "Dark side of the Sun" by them. He's collaborated with them multiple times in the past. I saw them perform Idioteque live in their "Big Tent" tour back in about 2001. Absolutely amazing to watch.

[@radial2335]

You gotta do a Kid A reaction, kid a is like the dark side of the moon in the way that you cant listen to just one song you gotta listen to the whole album to get the full experience

[@dbaileyosu]

They didn’t necessarily predict the next wave, but they sure did create it.

[@beErEy2324]

Huge Death Grips fan here 👋🏻 and i conquer

[@DRACULAFLOWMUSIC]

Check out aphex twin , autechre and boards of Canada to see where radiohead were really getting these sounds from

[@eweseloh]

Let that song play into morning bell mmm brings you back to the surface

[@petetre]

Syed, looking forward to the influence on new bands as you say. Going the other way I feel Radiohead were influenced heavily by the pioneers of electronica..Kraftwerk. Would b cool if you explored their work. Another highly influential band who revolutionised popular and underground music.

[@kaed_f]

does this REALLY sound like Death Grips or was this just a moment for you to name drop?

[@brandonx7215]

Kid A is the best radiohead album, every track is new and wonderful. A big departure that effects the rest of their career and catalogue.❤🇨🇦

[@RS-zt5zj]

Really hard to say between OK, Kid A and In Rainbows. Each so different but really good.

[@richardsimpson2439]

@@RS-zt5zjI’d also put Moon Shaped Pool in the conversation.

[@abody499]

@@RS-zt5zj As I like to say, OK Computer is definitely their best album, but In Rainbows is even better. First time I listened to IR, I was like, well that's a disappointment.

[@RS-zt5zj]

@@abody499 In Rainbows has become my favorite over time. Definitely the easiest one to come back to over and over again.

[@abody499]

@@RS-zt5zj yeah, after the 3rd listen, the penny dropped for me, and I proceeded to almost listen to it on repeat for 6 months, only alternating with Dig Lazarus Dig by Nick Cave. Jigsaw Falling into Place is an absolute masterpiece (cliché alert). But I still get as amped up listening to Anyone Can Play Guitar as I did at the time. I hope we get some more studio albums out of them.

[@Banor]

"where are the guitars" was the first thing the record label said

[@uzi978]

This came out right around the time I starting experimenting with MDMA, and woo boy, what a combination. Some of those nights are permanently burned into my brain. If I hear this or 'Dollars and Cents' it takes me right back.

[@sob.breebree]

wish i could listen to radiohead again for the first time :( i remember my first song i listened to was Lotus Flower and it was my dads ringtone lolll

[@EchoesDaBear]

Great reaction! This album was definitely where Radiohead asserted themselves as the 'expect the unexpected' band! Anything you thought you knew of this band was turned on it's head, and this track exemplified that. OK Computer was their creative masterpiece, but instead of continuing down that path, they b-lined and basically reinvented themselves - several of the tracks could be considered 'ambient' music (Kid A & Treefingers come to mind)! HIGHLY recommend: Everything In Its Right Place, Optimistic, The National Anthem & How To Disappear Completely from this album.

[@theinkspot1279]

The title can also be taken as Idiotic. Talk about layers, there song titles even have multiple meanings.

[@citizenghosttown]

Radiohead fans tend to be divided between those who favor the earlier stuff, which is more grungey, anthemic and accessible -- and the later stuff which is more avant garde and experimental with rythm and sound. I think OK Computer is the key transition album -- because it's all of those things. Anyway, take your pick. They're amazing artists either way!

[@vladlicko]

I've red somewhere that Idioteque is Thoms reaction to U2's crazy song Discothèque

[@ARASNshane]

Never thought I’d hear a Death Grips / Radiohead reference. Love it.

[@aaronfledge]

Hearing so much in it on this relisten. I take 'Everything all of the time' to be a poetic way of describing hyperconnected overwhelm in the modern world (alluded to in the bit about phone chirping as well - they had no idea what was in store down the road!). Only just made the connection to Bo Burnham's 'Welcome to the Internet', wonder if he consciously borrowed the lyric.

[@d.s.9692]

I think this song is about global warming, and how people think they can ignore it or pretend it isn't happening if they keep themselves entertained

[@mikedonoghues4018]

Kid A: maybe the most profound left turn a band ever took. Ever.

[@willem-janageling3907]

This track is heavily influenced by acts like Autechre. Tom Yorke has repeatedly expressed his admiration for Autechre. I believe Kid A wouldn't have existed without this influence.

[@nathanbeard513]

It seems that it’s more likely a climate-based apocalypse not a nuclear holocaust based on the lyrics.

[@ryanedwards4512]

I might be wrong -Radiohead

[@arnodk2852]

This album was heavily influenced by the bands Autechre, Boards of Canada and even stuff like Aphex Twin and DJ Shadow,

[@Shnonan]

That you mentioned Nirvana and Radiohead together has only reinforced this notion of mine that you and I, and many others, I suspect, possess a rather high and communicatable degree of like-mindedness in regards to the modalities by which we examine and appreciate music. I recommend a deep-dive into the largely uncharted wealth of Nirvana tracks from the "With The Lights Out" box set. This set includes within it many recordings of both alternative mixes and live performances of familiar tracks as well as what I consider to be it's most compelling features which are the "rare", "unreleased", or "bootlegged" tracks it contains. So many people seem to easily agree with one another in their estimations of Kurt Cobain's musical talents, but I find that so few have really stepped off of the tip of this iceberg. It is a dive that is both chilling and deep.

[@annie.76]

If you think their music is ahead of their time…read their lyrics…creepy. He’s saying, “here I’m allowed everything all of the time. “Mobiles chirping” just so much of their music is otherworldly. My favorite band. So fortunate to have grown up during this time. We took our music seriously. Just a ton of creativity.

[@boyce919]

I heard this album when i was going through a really bad time in my life.. Its a great album but hard for me now to listen to it without bringing up horrible memories.

[@ThePittsburghToddy]

You said it, dope track.🖖🏼

[@_jojo11]

Love the death grips reference. I hear it now

[@veevamm3642]

You really should hear a live version of this. Its a bit faster tempo....Visually its amazeballs!

[@carlosbuchlein]

I see a strong influence of the IDM scene here, above all of Aphex Twin and Autechre.

[@jean-christophelebachelet5926]

This is what happening when real musicians and artists made electronic music, fun fact Bjork invited Thom Yorke in her studio, he was so impressed that he decided to throw up what Radiohead was to made a new type of music and they did Kid A/Amnesiac !!!

[@abody499]

RIP Mark Bell - he's the man behind those sounds.

[@quiik]

i find it funny that one of radioheads best songs is completely inspired by aphex twin

[@RansomGetty]

Enjoyed your take, though, I would be devastated if someone tried to co-opt aspects of this as a sample. So much effort and engineering artistry, so much exacting precision, the beat is like the soul of Radiohead. And for someone to just pop up and say "that sounds neat, I'm going to use it..." in a way of elevating their own project, or capitalizing on familiar nostalgia for their own gain, it would be tragic. Radiohead would want you to create one's own beat, rather than being used for another corporate release.

[@atalantafugiens0426]

“Idioteque” is a portmanteau of “idiotic” and “discotheque”

[@helenespaulding7562]

The beginning instrumental portion is SO much like the band LOW….same industrial, electronica vibe. Lovers of Radiohead might want to take a look at early LOW….late 90’s.

[@aiik_-]

Yes I don't know why but even though a lot of Radiohead songs are pure gold, Idioteque has always been my number one...status quo with "Analysis | Thom Yorke | From The Basement" and Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi < - 👌 nvm I was trying to remember my favorites list, but there's always something good when Thom Yorke is involved.

[@jameshannagan4256]

Kanye actually said this album was an inspiration to him and there are several hip-hop artists that said the same thing.

[@opalmay70]

Awesome reaction!! I truly appreciate the enthusiasm you bring. If you like the blues I think you would enjoy hearing Beth Hart singing "Caught out in the rain" Live at The Royal Albert Hall (2018), as well as Beth Hart with Joe Bonamassa performing "I'd rather go blind" Live in Amsterdam. If you decide to go down the Beth Hart rabbit hole you will find a musical genius with so much soul it will blow your mind!

[@christianseme734]

Great reaction as always. If you are interested of rockers going into industrial rythms and sounds, you might check out the Album Outside from David Bowie, in 1995 if I remember well. Specially the song hallo spaceboy. Another visionnary musician.

[@mrshankly213]

Next do "I might be wrong" from Amnesiac. Sick track with a groove that you'll love I'm sure.

[@anthonypetty1777]

Try and figure out the syncopation of Videotape , off of the In Rainbows album , it will blow your mind.

[@abody499]

Idio is a Greek derived prefix that means 'personal'.

[@abody499]

better said, 'peculiar to an individual (person or thing)'